Post on 15-Jul-2020
Becoming aUNIT STUDY
888.841.3456 • www.rainbowresource.com
Deanne Crawford Curriculum Consultant
dcrawford@rainbowresource.com
What is a Unit Study? It is a thematic or topical approach to teaching as opposed to the traditional by-subject approach. Rather than teach each subject separately, a unit study attempts to integrate many or all subject areas into a unified study—usually centered on a particular subject or event.
Unit Study Categories: 1. All Inclusive (or Complete)
Covers all subjects in an organized (chronological) flow. In many cases you may need to add math, phonics, etc.
2. Literature Based Centered on a child’s book or series of books.
3. History Based Centered on historical time or event.
4. Subject/Topic Based May be a science topic, event, thing, art/music. Usually not a one-year curricula. There are several publishers that provide guides on a variety of topics/subjects.
1 Contact us: consultants@rainbowresource.com
Notes:
UNIT STUDY
www.rainbowresource.com
UNIT STUDYPrograms Grades View
PointApproach
Need to Add*
NotesPhonicsReadingSpelling
WritingGrammar Math History Science
Layers of Learning 1-12 Neutral Inclusive • • •Chronological -4 year cycle; Each unit 2 weeks; Optional, suggested living books.
Trail Guide to Learning: - Paths of Settlement - Paths of Progress - Paths of Exploration
3-8 Christian Inclusive • US History and Geography focus.
History Revealed 3-12 Christian Inclusive • • • Incorporates several different learning modalities.
Learning Adventures 4-8 Christian Inclusive • Chronological History; Literature-centric.
TRISMS5-8
9-12Neutral Inclusive •
Chronological; Research focused; Integrates IEW ; Publisher offers HS transcript on website.
Creating Curriculum Using Children's Books
PK-1 Secular Literature • • Guide for 18 children's book.
Five in A Row PK-8N: v.1-3C: BFIAR& v.4+
Literature • • • Volumes 1-3, Optional Bible Study.
Prairie Primer K-6 Christian Literature • • Based on Little House on the Prairie Books; Recommends Ray Arithmetic.
Further Up and Further In 4-8 Christian Literature • Based on Chronicles of Narnia.
Galloping the Globe/ Cantering the Country
K-6 Christian Topical • • •Geography focused; Additional resources required; Adaptable/flexible may spend 2-3 years completing.
Kym Wright "Learn and Do" K-12 Christian Topical • • •
Friends and Heroes 1-6 Christian Topical • • • DVD-centered; Charlotte Mason inspired.
Celebrate Thanksgiving/ Celebrate the Savior
2-8 Christian Topical • • • • Short Term (one month or less); Notgrass authored.
Introduction to Classical Studies 3-5 Christian Topical • • • Latin/Classical Studies.
Amazing Insects Literacy Learning 4-6 Neutral Resources Middle School Unit Studies level.
Geography: A Literature Approach for Intermediate Grades
3-7 Christian Literature • •
Around the World with Picture Books: Part 1
K-3 Christian Literature • • • Charlotte Mason.
UNIT STUDY CURRICULUM CHART
2 Contact us: consultants@rainbowresource.com
* For a comprehensive curriculum at grade level, you will need to add these subjects or equivalent. This chart was assembled by our curriculum consultants and is intended to be a comparative tool based on our own understanding of these programs and is not necessarily reflective of publishers' opinions. Some designations are "best fit," not absolute.
www.rainbowresource.com
• Learn through listening.• Like to read aloud and often like to talk to themselves or create
musical jingles to help them learn new materials.• Like to talk through a problem.• Remember by talking out loud and they like to have things
explained orally rather than through written instructions.
Auditory Learners...
• Learn through seeing.• Like written instructions and prefer to take detailed notes as
they listen to lectures.• Learn best with visual materials such as pictures, charts, videos,
illustrated textbooks, and handouts.• Like to have a quiet place to study and use colorful highlighters
to mark notes and texts.
Visual Learners...
• Learn through moving, doing, and touching.• Need to take frequent study breaks and like to chew gum or to
snack while they study.• Like to stand, rather than sit, when learning something new.• Explorers at heart and like to learn through active participation
in what they are learning.
Kinesthetic Learners...
Like to have music on while they study.
Remember visual details with ease.
Move around when talking or listening.
3 Contact us: consultants@rainbowresource.com www.rainbowresource.com
UNIT STUDY
lan Your Topic R Ages of your children. R Interests of children and parent. R Family dynamics. R Available resources and time.
esearch Your Topic R Internet. R Library. R Your bookshelves. R Field trips. R People resources.
rganize Your Topic R Select books, videos, and websites you will be using. R Determine activities to be incorporated. R Contact people who are knowledgeable in subject area. R Schedule field trips.
4 Contact us: consultants@rainbowresource.com
Notes:
Notes:
Notes:
P
R
O
www.rainbowresource.com
UNIT STUDY
UNIT STUDY
5 Contact us: consultants@rainbowresource.com www.rainbowresource.com
TOOLS
Topic:
Books: People Resources:
Videos: Field Trips:
Websites: Activities:
6 Contact us: consultants@rainbowresource.com www.rainbowresource.com
UNIT STUDY TOPIC
Spelling/Vocabulary:
Penmanship:
Writing:
Literature/Reading Comprehension:
Music/Art:
P.E.:
(Topic or Theme)History/Geography/Social Studies:
Science:
Math:
Bible/Character Lessons:
7 Contact us: consultants@rainbowresource.com
SampleUNIT STUDY TOOLS
www.rainbowresource.com
Topic:
Books: People Resources:
Videos: Field Trips:
Websites: Activities:
Titanic
- www.titanic1.org- www.titanic-titanic.com- www.onlinetitanicmuseum.com
- Titanic (1953 version)- A Night to Remember- History Channel:
Titanic the Complete Story- National Geographic
- Map route of Titanic- Study ship speed- Timeline- Morse Code- Study hypothermia- Study styles, clothes and
culture of 1912
- Titanic- Icebergs/Glaciers- Ships- Morse Code/Samuel Morse- Biographies
- YouTube : “Survivors and what they saw”
- Coast Guard or Navy personal
- Titanic Exhibit- Ocean- US Coast Guard
UNIT STUDY TOPIC
8 Contact us: consultants@rainbowresource.com
Sample
www.rainbowresource.com
Spelling/Vocabulary:
Penmanship:
Writing:
Literature/Reading Comprehension:
Music/Art:
P.E.:
(Topic or Theme)History/Geography/Social Studies:
Science:
Math:
Bible/Character Lessons:
Titanic
- Nautical terminology- Hypothermia terminology- Glacier terms
- Copywork: quotes from books, Bible verses
- Research projects- Be a newspaper reporter and report on
Titanic disaster- Compare/contrast Titanic movie with real story
- Book reports- Narration/dictation- Magic Treehouse guide & book on Titanic
- Row boat/canoe one knot per hour- Energy: move to increase body temp
and battle hypothermia
- Study life of band leader: Wallace Hartley- Draw Titanic ship and label- Draw iceberg
- Timeline- Map activities- Biographies of those on board ( Archibald Butt,
Isidor Straus, Captain Edward J. Smith)- Learn Morse Code
- Hypothermia- Glaciers- Salt water vs. fresh water
- Calculate Titanic’s speed: convert knots to MPH- Graph answers from experiments- Number of life boats compared to number
of people- Calculate number of life boats necessary for
all to survive
- Women and children first- Leadership and responsibility- Pride- Scripture : Job 37:10 John 15:13 Song of Solomon 8:7 Acts 16:31