Unit studies can be a great way to get started with curriculum planning and engaging children in learning. Finding an interest that the children have and weaving that into the learning – or using their interests as a springboard for learning are where the best unit studies start.
We tend to go between two extremes — mini-units such as those in our sss is for sounds series, and long-term projects which are basically organically-developed unit studies that explore many nooks and crannies of a given topic over a decent period of time. The children and I enjoy both and they both have their place in our particular hybrid of Montessori & Reggio learning.
Many Montessori teachers and homeschoolers never utilize unit studies, and instead stick to the standard Montessori curriculum. Using unit studies is a very personal decision and you will come to decide if you either love them or hate them! (Obviously, I’m the former!)
Before embarking on your own unit studies, you might want to check out these posts:
- Can Unit Studies be Used in Reggio or Montessori?
- How I Develop Unit Studies
- How to Make a Unit Study… from a TV Show?!
- Our Daily Rhythm
- Read, Feed, and Say I Love You: Everything Else is Optional
I am slowly revising my existing unit studies, and am always adding new ones as we explore new themes and interests every month. Be sure to subscribe to my free weekly newsletter to receive my new posts directly to your e-mail inbox.
I also pin great unit studies, or ideas to include in unit studies, to my Unit Studies pinboard if you’d like to follow it.
Follow Jennifer Tammy’s board Unit Studies on Pinterest.
Unit Studies
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