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Monday, November 24

📚 FREE Week-Long Unit Studies for Upper Grades – A Full Year of Learning Adventures!

Homeschooling upper-grade students just got easier — and more exciting! 🎉

We’re thrilled to introduce our brand-new series of free, full week-long unit studies designed specifically for upper-grade homeschoolers (grades 7–12). Each month, we’ll release a brand-new, themed unit that’s packed with engaging lessons, suggested activities, reading and video resources, writing prompts, and more. These units are ideal for:

  • Independent learners

  • Family-style study

  • Supplementing core subjects

  • Adding variety and enrichment to your homeschool routine

Best of all — these units are completely free and require minimal prep!

✨ How It Works

  • One new unit study is released each month throughout the year.

  • Each unit focuses on a high-interest theme that blends history, science, literature, the arts, and critical thinking.

  • Units are designed for 5 days of learning, but they can be stretched over 2 weeks if you prefer a slower pace or want to use them in a "Fun Friday" format.

  • Activities include reading, writing, hands-on projects, research, and reflection.

📅 Year at a Glance – Monthly Unit Study Themes

January: Scandinavia – Culture, Geography & History

Explore the northern European region known for its fjords, folklore, and forward-thinking societies.

Topics Covered:

  • Geography of Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland

  • Viking history and Norse mythology

  • Cultural traditions and holidays

  • Contributions to art, architecture, and design

  • Modern-day Scandinavian politics and quality of life

Sample Activities:
Create a Viking rune stone, compare Nordic myths to Greek mythology, map the region, cook a Scandinavian recipe.

February: Love in Literature

Dive into how literature explores love across genres, time periods, and cultures.

Topics Covered:

  • Classic and modern love poems

  • Romantic relationships in novels and plays

  • Friendship, self-love, and sacrifice in literature

  • Literary devices used to express love

  • Cultural attitudes toward love through literature

Sample Activities:
Read excerpts from Romeo & Juliet, write a modern love letter or poem, analyze a famous love-themed short story.

March: Spring Nature Study – Biology & Observation

A seasonal science unit that blends nature journaling with biology and earth science.

Topics Covered:

  • Signs of spring in plant and animal life

  • Phenology: observing natural cycles

  • Photosynthesis and plant growth

  • Pollinators and ecosystems

  • Journaling and sketching in nature

Sample Activities:
Start a nature journal, dissect a flower, observe pollinators in your area, create a chart of seasonal changes.

April: Classical Music – Composers, Instruments & Influence

Travel through time with the music of the masters.

Topics Covered:

  • Overview of the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Modern periods

  • Profiles of major composers (Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, etc.)

  • Musical instruments and how orchestras work

  • Music theory basics

  • Influence of classical music on film and pop culture

Sample Activities:
Listen to selected works, compare musical eras, create a composer biography poster, design your own concert program.

May: Robotics – Engineering, Programming & Innovation

Introduce students to the world of robotics, design, and AI.

Topics Covered:

  • History and development of robots

  • Basic robotics components (sensors, motors, circuits)

  • Introduction to programming (logic, commands)

  • Real-world applications in medicine, industry, and space

  • Ethics and future of robotics

Sample Activities:
Build a simple robot (using kits or DIY parts), explore a virtual coding platform, design a robot for a specific task.

June: Art History – From Cave Paintings to Contemporary

A visual journey through human history using art as the lens.

Topics Covered:

  • Prehistoric, Ancient, and Classical art

  • Renaissance and Enlightenment movements

  • Impressionism, Cubism, and Modernism

  • Global perspectives: Indigenous, African, Asian art

  • How art reflects societal change

Sample Activities:
Timeline of art movements, analyze a painting, recreate a famous artwork using modern materials, write an artist reflection.

July: History of Computers – From Early Machines to AI

Uncover how computing evolved from mechanical devices to today’s AI.

Topics Covered:

  • Early computing (abacuses, mechanical calculators)

  • Pioneers: Ada Lovelace, Alan Turing, Bill Gates, etc.

  • Evolution of personal computers and the internet

  • Programming languages

  • Artificial intelligence and ethical concerns

Sample Activities:
Create a tech timeline, write a short report on a computing pioneer, explore early coding using Scratch or Python.

August: Great Inventors – World-Changers Through Time

Meet the thinkers and tinkerers who changed the way we live.

Topics Covered:

  • Inventors from various fields (science, transportation, communication, etc.)

  • The invention process (problem, prototype, testing)

  • Invention case studies (e.g., lightbulb, telephone, airplane)

  • Patents and intellectual property

  • How innovation impacts society

Sample Activities:
Invent something new, write a mini biography of an inventor, present a Shark Tank-style pitch.

September: High Holidays – Jewish Autumn Festivals

An interfaith cultural study of major Jewish holidays and their significance.

Topics Covered:

  • Overview of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot

  • Jewish calendar and symbolism

  • Themes of reflection, repentance, and renewal

  • Traditional foods, rituals, and stories

  • Comparative religious studies

Sample Activities:
Create a paper shofar, make symbolic foods, write a reflection on forgiveness, build a mini sukkah model.

October: Autumn – Nature, Folklore & Seasonal Science

Celebrate the fall season with a rich blend of ecology, culture, and tradition.

Topics Covered:

  • Leaf color changes and the science of photosynthesis

  • Harvest festivals around the world

  • Folklore and legends of fall (e.g., Halloween origins)

  • Weather and the changing seasons

  • Nature walks and journaling

Sample Activities:
Leaf identification guide, write a fall-themed story or poem, research a cultural harvest festival, fall scavenger hunt.

November: Political Science – Government, Civics & Citizenship

A timely unit to help students understand power, government, and participation.

Topics Covered:

  • Branches of government and the Constitution

  • Political systems around the world

  • Elections, voting, and civic engagement

  • Political philosophy (liberty, equality, justice)

  • Debates and media literacy

Sample Activities:
Create a mock government, analyze a political cartoon, write a speech on an issue, compare global political systems.

December: Winter Holidays – Global Traditions and Celebrations

Explore how different cultures celebrate light, family, and renewal.

Topics Covered:

  • Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Yule, Diwali, Lunar New Year

  • Themes of light in darkness, generosity, and tradition

  • Symbolism and food

  • Crafting and storytelling

  • Reflection on family customs

Sample Activities:
Create a winter holiday around a fictional culture, compare customs, cook a holiday dish, build a global holiday timeline.

🎁 BONUS UNITS (Email Subscribers Only)

These exclusive units dive into rich and unique topics:

Ireland

Explore Irish history, legends, the fight for independence, and cultural contributions (music, dance, literature).

Italy

Study the Roman Empire, Renaissance masters, Italian geography, food, and modern culture.

Espionage

Uncover the secret world of spies, codebreaking, Cold War intelligence, and ethical dilemmas in espionage.

Traditional Energy Sources

Examine fossil fuels, nuclear power, and hydroelectric energy — how they work and their environmental impacts.

Mental Health

Focus on emotional well-being, understanding depression, self-care, coping strategies, and how to ask for help.

Fundamentals of Coding

A beginner-friendly intro to logic, syntax, and writing simple programs using block coding and Python.

Renewable Energy

Investigate solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal energy sources and their role in a sustainable future.

📬 Stay in the Loop!

These unit studies are:

  • Completely free

  • Easy to implement

  • Designed to encourage critical thinking and creativity

  • Great for middle and high schoolers

Sign up to receive:

  • Monthly unit releases

  • Early access to downloads

  • Exclusive bonus units

  • Helpful planning tips

                                                         👉 Subscribe here to get started!


What topics are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments!

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Tuesday, October 7

Spotlight on Themed-Unit Bundles for High School

Unit studies are popular with homeschooling families because they provide a hands-on, in-depth approach to learning about any topic of choice.  This is a great way to provide individualized instruction for your students, allowing them explore the 'topic-du-jour,' and instills a love of learning!


Autumn is fantastic time to pick up a new unit study, infusing a sense of enthusiasm into the routine of the day!  With novel studies, there is a read-aloud, or family time, element as well.  Added hands-on activities and field trips round out the trifecta of excitement and beat the boredom blues...

Not seeing the one your child wants?  Check out How to Create a Unit Study (with free planner)!

Two of our favorite themed unit bundles to pick up are the World War 2 and Fantasy-Fiction sets.  Each features multiple books that each focus on a different person and/or historic event.  As expected, the World War 2 bundles focuses largely on the WW2 era, but covers sixteen different perspectives, giving a well-rounded picture to this world event.  The Fantasy & Fiction set was created for young adults gravitating toward that genre, and each lesson within the unit focuses on a different language arts or social studies theme.

You may also be interested in....

Looking for a literature-based history curriculum? Using sixteen different novels, these unit studies cover World War 2 from multiple perspectives!

These studies are directed toward upper grades students.

  • There is background, introductory text included.
  • After this text, there are featured videos, which augment the background information and help make the topic more accessible for more visual students.
  • You will also find a short list of reading books, including a featured novel that the unit builds upon.
  • There are vocabulary words, places, and people to identify.
  • Reading comprehension, critical thinking questions, and writing assignments are included.
  • We add fun with hands-on activities and extra videos to watch that will bring the era to life.

Samples:



Includes eight novel studies covering the fantasy and fiction genre. Each novel addresses a new topic, primarily falling into social studies and language arts categories.
  • Each unit has introductory text, which will give the student basic background information about the topic at hand.
  • There are photographs and illustrations, and we have also included primary documents when available.
  • After this text, there are featured videos, which augment the background information and help make the topic more accessible for more visual students.
  • You will also find a short list of reading books, including one featured novel – the spine of the unit.
  • There are vocabulary words, places, and people to identify.
  • Reading comprehension, critical thinking questions, and writing assignments are included.
  • We add fun with hands-on activities and extra videos to watch that will bring the era to life.
  • Some units also have cooking projects.
These studies are directed toward upper grades students, but some have resources for younger students so that the whole family can work together. Our family has used unit studies as curriculum for many years, and we hope that your family will enjoy these, too!



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Wednesday, September 3

Spotlight on Resources for Teaching Spanish

About half of families begin foreign language in the elementary years, while the other half wait until high school.  If you’re trying to decide which language to select, may I make the case for Spanish?

Read more about Spanish language-learning, including TalkBox and DuoLingo!

Three of our favorite resources for additional Spanish learning and fun practice include the Printable Poster Set, Spanish/English Christmas Carols, and Brick-Themed Spanish Daily Calendar.  Each incorporates the language in a fun-filled way for vocabulary and daily practice!

Fourteen full-color posters to help your students better grasp the Spanish language.  Perfect for the visual learner!!


  1. Animals
  2. Farm Animals
  3. Ocean Animals
  4. Clothing
  5. Daily Routine
  6. What are you Doing?
  7. Fruits & Vegetables
  8. Gardening Tools
  9. Household Appliances
  10. Landmarks
  11. School Supplies
  12. Means of Transportation
  13. In the Airport
  14. Solar System

Study basic Spanish concepts with these fun, brick-themed daily calendar labels. Concepts covered include: months, days, seasons, and weather.  Use this unit with Lego or other building blocks!  Designed to be printed and laminated for continuous use.



Celebrate Christmas and practice your Spanish foreign language simultaneously!  This 14 Christmas carols are beautifully printed in both Spanish and English – to help with language learning and for your caroling pleasure. 


Spanish 2
Looking for a more structured and traditional approach to foreign language?  SchoolhouseTeachers.com offers several different language options, along with every other subject - for all grades.  Try it out for one month.  You'll get access to everything they have and will have a chance to see if it's the right fit for your family!  (Spoiler: We bet it will be!)

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Tuesday, September 2

Books & Unit Studies for National Hispanic Heritage Month

September 15th to October 15th is National Hispanic Heritage Month.  During this time, Americans celebrate the history, culture, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.  Here are some ideas for you to incorporate unit studies, read alouds, and other fun activities into your homeschool this month!!


Fantastic New Books!!

 

This crop of new reads incorporates elements of Hispanic culture, interweaving them seamlessly into stories that educate and / or entertain.  Here are some of our favorites...and many include RECIPES, too!


Children's Books

  • Menudo Sunday
    • Sundays are the best: that’s when a little girl and her mamá, abuelitos, tías and primos all gather together to eat yummy menudo, a traditional Mexican soup. But when playtime with the cousins and family dogs gets out of hand and Abuelito Esteban’s special bowl of menudo breaks, everyone has to pitch in to make a new batch! Through all the menudo mishaps and sneaky snacks for perritos with wagging tails, young readers will giggle as they learn to count from 1-15 in Spanish and English. Bonus materials at the back of the book include a glossary of Spanish words, a note from the author, and tips for hosting your very own Menudo Sunday!
  • When We Find Her
    • Lila and her Abuelo Carlos miss Abuela Ana. Without the sound of her laughter, the rhythm of her dancing, or the aromas of her cooking, home just isn’t the same. So Lila devises a plan to hold onto every detail she can remember. She and Abuelo will make Abuela’s signature dish—sancocho! Off to the market they go, guided by a faded recipe that takes them through the stalls, where each ingredient sparks a warm memory. As Lila and her abuelo learn to lean on each other, Abuela’s words help them recreate a dish that tastes like love.
  • Tios y Primos
    • A little girl meets more relatives than she can count—but how will she communicate with them if she can’t speak their language? It’s a little girl’s first trip to her papa’s homeland, and she’s wowed by all the amazing sights and sounds—and especially by the size of her enormous family! But she only knows a little Spanish, and it’s hard not to be able to share jokes and stories. Fortunately, her relatives help her see that there are other ways they can connect, and soon she feels like she’s right where she belongs: in the heart of a loving family, learning as she goes along.

Young Adult Books

  • A Hero's Guide to Summer Vacation
    • Gonzalo Alberto Sánchez García has never considered himself the hero of his own story. He’s an observer, quietly snapshotting landscapes and drawing the creatures he imagines emerging from them. Forced to spend the summer with his estranged grandfather, Alberto William García—the very famous reclusive author—Gonzalo doesn't expect to learn that heroes and monsters are not only the stuff of fantasy. But that’s precisely what happens when Gonzalo’s CEO mother, Veronica, sends Alberto on tour to promote the final book in his fantasy series for children and Gonzalo must tag along, even though he feels no connection to his grandfather or the books. Together, they embark on a cross-country road trip from Mendocino to Miami in a classic 1968 Oldsmobile Cutlass S convertible named Mathilde. Over the course of ten epic days on the highway, they will slay demons, real and imagined; confront old stories to write new ones; and learn what it truly means to show up for your family.
  • Island of the Forgotten Gods

    • Nico wants to be a famous film director. He's pretty sure if he can make the right movie, and soon, his life will completely change. The catch? His parents are sending him to Puerto Rico for the summer to stay with his iconic, but old-school, Abuela Luciana, and his awesome, but unpredictable cousins. Still, the show must go on. Until Nico and his cousins awaken a monster. A monster that looks an awful lot like the infamous Chupacabra. And it turns out this isn't a chance encounter. The creature begins stalking them all over Puerto Rico, turning up on every dark corner, sandy beach, and moonlit night. To make matters worse, a shadowy cult enters the chase, intent on capturing them before the Chupacabra can. Soon they are thrown into an adventure that brings them face-to-face with the ancient Taino people, even more ancient Taino gods, and the mysterious Chupacabra, who is somehow linked to everything. Nico keeps his camera rolling, hoping the epic documentary will catapult him to stardom. But in the end, it's the island's fate that hangs in the balance, as they face down the very gods that created Puerto Rico.


Dive Deeper with Literature-Based Unit Studies

     
   
   
  • We Were There with Cortes and Montezuma -- In the early 16th century, Spanish colonies were already well established in the Caribbean islands and they were turning their eyes westward.  Under the leadership of Hernán Cortés, the Spaniards looked to Aztec territory in present-day Mexico...
  • Charlie Hernandez -- Latin American culture is full of terrifying mythological creatures that our parents used to scare us into good behavior!  The Charlie Hernandez books pull myths from several countries and weave them together into a story of good battling evil while teaching readers about these cultural tales.  And no, la chancla isn't one of them, but as any Latino kid knows...it should be...
  • The King's Fifth -- The earliest exploration of the Southwest occurred as a result of the accident that left Cabeza de Vaca and his companions shipwrecked along the Gulf Coast.  Cabeza de Vaca was one of the first non-Native Americans to travel through Texas, and he published a narrative of his adventures that would inspire the expeditions of de Soto and Coronado...
  • Encounter -- When Columbus met some native men in the Carribbean, they said "Taíno, Taíno," which meant, "We are good, noble." Columbus thought they were saying the name of their people....and the name stuck...
  • Studying Central America -- Once home to the Mayan civilization, one of the greatest historic civilizations of the Americas, Central America is a narrow isthmus connecting North and South America...
  • Dia de Los Muertos - Day of the Dead may sound like a sad celebration, but it's actually a joyous celebration of remembering loved ones who have died.  Death is viewed as just part of the cycle of life, and children are taught not to fear it. It is a celebration for families and friends we have lost...


Foreign Language Resources

  

The best parts of each of these resources is that you don't have to know the language because you'll be learning alongside your children.  This can be used with young children for bilingual development, or with older children as foreign language curriculum.  And the subscription model helps families to stay the course, focusing on different language aspects each month!


What resources would you add to this list?  How will you be celebrating this month in your homeschool?
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Tuesday, August 5

Spotlight on Diversity Units & Upcoming Holidays

Unit studies are popular with homeschooling families because they provide a hands-on, in-depth approach to learning about any topic of choice.  This is a great way to provide individualized instruction for your students, allowing them explore the 'topic-du-jour,' and instills a love of learning!


Why incorporate diversity?

  1. Bring current events to life.  Seeing news stories can be jarring for children, especially if they have no frame of reference for that region or culture.  Reading a book can help them develop empathy and better understanding, and it can spark age-appropriate conversations.
  2. See the similarities.  Not every multicultural book spotlights diversity as a different experience.  Sometimes it's about demonstrating a human truth - that we're not as different we think.
  3. Explore your roots.  Every family has a unique set of ancestry and heritage, particularly American families, which tend to have many different sets of roots.  Taking the time to further explore those origins can put a personalized spin on learning about other cultures.
  4. Travel the world.  You don't need a passport to explore faraway regions and lands...all you need are the pages of a book.  Good books will have characters that feel so life-like, you can relate to them and learn from their experiences.


Snag the Read Around the World booklist while you're here (freebie)!


Two of our favorite diversity-themed unit bundles to pick up are the Jewish Holidays & Diversity Novel Studies sets.  Each incorporates multiple books that each focus on a different culture and/or historic event.  Jewish Holidays features a full-year of holiday stories infused with culture, religion, and activities, and it is best utilized over the course of the year, in line with the holiday seasons.  Diveristy Novel Studies features eight different stories from cultures around the world.  Both include fantastic reads that teach world religions, culture, and history in a wonderfully-engaging manner!


Bring modern history to life with living literature that represents several different groups!  Includes eight unit studies covering cultural stories from around the world. Each unit addresses a historic era from a new perspective, and these are told in living history format.  Each unit has introductory text, which will give the student basic background information about the topic at hand.

Product sample:   The Button Box





Each of the ten unit studies in this year-long bundle centers around a book for middle school level and includes videos, cooking projects, hands-on activities, writing assignments, and more.  There are also resources for younger children in eight of the ten units (not in *).

Product samples – Purim unit & Introductory unit



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