Homeschoolers' Comments
From: The Old Schoolhouse MagazineReviews: http://www.thehomeschoolmagazine.com
Unit studies, we've all done them. Have we done them well? Valerie Bendt gives us the complete help we need to use this simple, effective teaching method. Our desire to instill a love of learning in our children is fostered through this method.
A few years ago, Mrs. Bendt had four books out. They were: How to Create Your Own Unit Study, The Unit Study Idea Book, For the Love of Reading and Success with Unit Studies. This latest volume, Unit Studies Made Easy, combines these other four volumes and adds a thought provoking section on Biblical Parenting.
Let's walk through one of the units to illustrate how she suggests organizing a unit study. The unit starts with Scripture, Proverbs 6: 6-8 ("Go to the ant, O sluggard). She suggests some books (including the Character Sketches books from the Institute in Basic Life Principles), including possible coloring books and pages on the topic. Next, she suggests keeping a record of the terminology used in the unit. Several activities are proposed, including keeping an ant farm and making games. One was an ant colony game that required the children to make up questions and answers based on their reading in library books. Language arts consisted on copying dictated sentences and passages. They also read some poems about ants and gave the children an opportunity to write their own poems about ants.
There you have it! A unit study is not that hard, is it? There are several things I really like about this book. Mrs. Bendt reminds us to look at some overlooked sources for our unit, such as trade organizations to write to for information, picture files and films from the library and reference only books from the library. When I scan the reference (non-circulating) section at my library, my mind is bombarded with ideas and sources!
I also like her reference to the work of Charlotte Mason and Ruth Beechick. In the units, a great emphasis is placed on dictation and narration, as well as original writing by the child. In the section on For the Love of Reading, Mrs. Bendt shares her tips for a natural, literature-based approach to teaching reading. Since the publication of that original book, she has also created her own reading program called Reading Made Easy: A Guide to Teach Your Child to Read.
Mrs. Bendt is an experienced home teacher with six children. Her writing is informative, encouraging and interesting. This book should be on every home schooler's bookshelf, no matter what style of teaching is used. Who knows, even the most devoted work book addict could be persuaded to try unit studies after reading this book! --Product Review by: Christine Field, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine
Another great review
Are you afraid of unit studies? Well, that doesn’t have to be the case. Valerie Bendt empowers you to undertake this task with style and grace.
My enthusiasm for Mrs. Bendt’s work was again realized as I read Unit Studies Made Easy. When asked to review this book, I was so excited as I already had many of the original books in my collection and desired to sing their praises. These are actually some of my favorite books to recommend to clients when I complete a portfolio review or if I am helping a parent with curriculum design. Now you can have them all in one book!
Mrs. Bendt says it best herself “This guide presents the nuts and bolts of teaching through unit studies. Rekindle a love of learning in your family. Encourage creativity, expression, and individuality. Put away tedious textbooks and get on with real learning and real life!”
Two of the first books I purchased when I began homeschooling were How to Create Your Own Unit Study and The Unit Study Idea Book. I knew I had a bent toward thematic teaching since this was my approach whenever possible as a public school teacher before I had children. The natural flow of information, rather than segmented learning, always seemed more satisfying for my students too. These books will have you writing your own unit studies and loving every minute of it. Valerie makes it simple and seemingly effortless.
For the Love of Reading was a book that helped me through some very difficult times in my own homeschooling. Due to a serious medical condition, I found myself very limited as to what I could do in a day. While reading this book, I wept at the blessing these difficult days could produce in my children and myself. At one point, I even wrote an email to Valerie, who further encouraged me to gather the children into the bed with me, read, and learn to love these special moments spent together. These times are forever pasted in my mind and on the hearts of my children.
I would even encourage this book as the one to loan/give to family members who give you a disparaging look when you explain that the game you are playing IS school. It is easy to think that homeschool should look like traditional school at home, but it can be much more than a change of venue and instructor.
Valerie’s friendly writing style and love for learning is contagious. The design of the book is perfect in that you are given a space/column on the side which gives you nuggets to help your recall, specific ideas to implement, and space to write your own ideas gleaned by your reading.
Once you’ve read this book the first time through you will find yourself returning to have your questions answered or simply to revisit the core reasons why we homeschool our children. -Product Review by: Stephanie D. Scarborough
Dear Valerie,
Unit Studies Made Easy has really clarified a lot for me. I have been homeschooling for 7 years now, and I had already read some of your recommended resources, but found it hard to take the ideas presented in these resources and put them into practice in my homeschool. This is where Unit Studies Made Easy came in. Your ideas are so simple and easy to implement. The examples you give in your book bring these methods alive. This book is really many books in one. I believe Unit Studies Made Easy has enhanced school for my older kids and will completely change the way my youngest will be schooled! This book will be my favorite reference book for years to come. Thanks so much for recording your family’s experiences to enhance the lives of so many others!
Sincerely,
Robin Battaglia
 = Christian  = New  = Favorite |
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Unit Studies Made Easy
Valerie’s popular book How to Create Your Own Unit Study is back! This updated, expanded version includes all four of Valerie’s previously published unit study books in one big volume: How to Create Your Own Unit Study, The Unit Study Idea Book, For the Love of Reading, Success with Unit Studies. Plus a new section entitled 'Biblical Parenting or Schooling at Home?'
336 pages
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Reg.
$30.00
On Sale! $24.00
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