Many prefer the homeschool unit study approach to homeschooling. If you have begun any research at all on finding a good curriculum or unit study type of program then you are also aware that there are many available at a wide range of prices.
Although your time, energy, and budget are certainly all part of the ultimate decision on the type of your homeschool unit study program, keep in mind that many parents have knitted together their own homeschool unit study at a much more affordable cost.
If this approach sounds good to you, then an early question would be.... O.K... what do I cover in my lesson plan? Keep in mind that the best most retentive learning takes place when the subject covered is one that is of a natural interest to the child.
Certainly there are core subjects that must be taken into account, but a good part of the homeschool unit study can be directed at the child's particular areas of interest.
Once you have decided upon the unit of study and perhaps are beginning to at least rough out a lesson plan, be cognizant of the goals that you have for each part of the homeschool day and lesson plan. Perhaps, for example, you will want to consider a certain amount of competency for each unit study in the areas of language, reading, writing, comprehension of the material, practical usage, and such. These are just a few ideas, certainly directing the homeschool unit study and allowing for adjustments is also at your discretion.
Once you have defined your objectives that work for your homeschool lesson plan and unit study it is time to begin to gather the material that best matches them. Remember! First define your objectives.... Then gather material. Not vise versa!
If you rush out to begin your material shopping for a loosely defined
homeschool unit study you will get mired in information overload and you will struggle with your organization and will more than likely end up with a unit study that lacks
organization, focus, and worst of all, interest.
In other words.... Plan your work, and then... work your plan.
