I often provide curriculum writing services, including thematic units, because clients either do not have time or aren’t sure how to begin writing their own curriculum. Here I will share some tips to help you develop your own thematic units anytime you wish to do so. This type of unit can easily work with your child’s strengths and interests while strengthening weaknesses.
First, consider topics your student loves to learn about. This may mean focusing on a particular animal, video game, or activity is the basis for the topic of your unit. If your children want to help, let them decide what to focus on during the unit of study. Remember that the unit of study can be a day, week, several weeks, or longer. The length depends on resources, interest, and your decision regarding how long you prefer the unit to last.
Next, gather resources. The Internet is a huge resource, especially if you look for virtual field trips and printable papers. Make sure to stop by your local library or bookstore to gather publications about the chosen topic. If you want to use manipulatives, gather them. Check second hand stores and homeschool resale websites in addition to typical online websites and brick and mortar stores with new items. Look for games that are either printable, online, or a physical product. Consider field trip options, getting together with other locals who are studying a similar topic, and other out of the box ideas. It never hurts to allow your student to use or create graphic novels, a website, video blog (vlog), or other project about the topic.
Then, choose an order for how to present information or how to facilitate your student in researching the topic. Make a basic lesson plan that has a book list, order of activities or a weekly list of activities you hope to accomplish, and go for it.
Once you begin, keep an eye on your child’s interest level. If one particular book draws your student in, then read it multiple times together. If another book makes the child uninterested, then try a different book or activity. The key is to get active, do more than just paper and pencil work, and learn together when possible. Don’t stress. Have fun. Record lesson plans and progress. Keep pictures of projects or papers completed to add to your yearly portfolio.
Some very basic examples include:
Minecraft – Use the blocks to practice addition and multiplication, use the machines you can build to learn about levers and circuits, use the different stones such as granite to write about the best supplies for building and to learn about editing after writing
Dogs – Practice reading the books your local library has, design a poster for dogs who need to be adopted form shelters locally, write a story about a dog who gets into awkward situations, use dogs as a theme for your current math topic
Candy – Learn about healthy foods and where foods come from, use cooking to practice fractions and multiplication, use cooking to learn about chemical reactions, write a recipe, learn about the cuisine from a culture different than your own
As you get into a topic, you will find ways to expand to include skills like writing, reading, math, science, social studies, and other topics. Get creative and enjoy this chance to bond with your child while homeschooling. Happy learning!