Unit studies have never really been something I use in our homeschool. For a long time I didn’t know much about them and just figured they were too involved or complicated. I’m so glad I was given the opportunity to review Science Unit Studies for Homeschoolers and Teachers from Funtastic Unit Studies because it gave me the confidence to know that I can successfully do unit studies with the kids!
Science Unit Studies for Homeschoolers and Teachers Review
The 197-page softbound book is split into two sections…
Units for ages 4-7
- Our Senses
- The Human Body
- Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Life
- Animals
- Insects and Their Kin
- Fun with Magnets
- Stars and Planets
- Health
- Beginning Plants
- Animal Ecology
Units for ages 8-13
- Insects
- Microscopes and Invisible Creatures
- Atoms and Molecules
- Matter
- Chemistry Fun
- Weather
- Force and Motion
- Simple Machines
- Light and Color
- Plants II
Science unit studies in our home
When I looked through the lists of options, I was immediately drawn to the Beginning Plants unit because my preschoolers (ages 3 and 4) love all things that grow outside. Seriously, it’s like a mini science course every time we go outside to play.
“What’s this?” “Where did it come from?” “How does it grow?” “Does it have flowers?” “Do bugs eat it?” – are all common questions.
I was still a bit apprehensive at starting an entire unit study so I figured it would be best to read through the whole thing first and then decide if it was still a good fit.
The Chapter is divided into 8 parts:
- Introduction
- Seeds
- Roots
- Stems
- Leaves
- Flowers
- Growing Plants
- Review
As I read through the unit, I realized there are no book lists. In the past, every time I’ve come across a unit study there have been book lists that accompany them. At first I was a bit confused with the lack of books but then it dawned on me… Littles learn by doing! Yes, they love to be read to but they learn more by experiencing, exploring and doing.
With each part of the unit comes several different activity options- all of which are simple enough for my littles do and only required what we already had on hand here at the house. There is a list provided at the beginning of each unit which tells you exactly what you will be needing in the upcoming activities so there are no surprises later on.
Also, the instructions are incredibly clear and helpful. They even provide prompts for asking questions and explaining things.
What exactly did we do?
- We read Eric Carl’s Tiny Little Seed… several times.
- We collected seeds.
- We attempted to grow a pinto bean but someone kept opening the baggie open so it didn’t work very well.
- We pulled up weeds and examined the different types of roots.
- We examined different leaves and talked about photosynthesis.
- We planted seeds from outside and our own vegetable seeds into little cups to watch them grow.
Did the kids have fun? YES!
Did they learn? YES!
Did they ask to do another unit? YES!
This has been a wonderful experience for the children and I. I love watching them learn and seeing those light bulbs suddenly come on! We will definitely keep using the science units for homeschoolers on a regular basis. I’m thinking one unit will last a couple months if we work the activities into our homeschool two days a week.
Ready to check it out? Head on over to Funtastic Unit Studies and get two FREE units!
