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?
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Unit Studies Made Easy: A Guide to Simplified Learning at Home 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
Unit Studies Made Easy 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. This book is a revision and compilation of four titles by Valerie: How to Create Your Own Unit Study, The Unit Study Idea Book, For the Love of Reading, and Success with Unit Studies. Plus this book includes a section entitled Biblical Parenting or Schooling at Home. 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! Much of this review was completed during the Christmas break from school. I really was not looking forward to January as I was relishing in our freedom especially sleeping in. However, after reading a few pages of this book, I could feel God recharging my batteries with enthusiasm and my love of teaching renewed. Moreover, I work a lot during the middle of the night and I had to fight the urge to wake my children so we could read. However, I fought the urge as it was 4:00am and we do have church in the morning. 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, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine
Resource: Unit Studies Made Easy: A Guide to Simplified Learning at Home Author: Valerie Bendt Grade Level: 1st 12th grade This excellent resource for those who are just beginning to explore the method of teaching unit studies is a tool that will enable even the most timid to venture forth in confidence. Unit Studies Made Easy is four books in one: How to Create Your Own Unit Study; The Unit Study Idea Book; For the Love of Reading; and Success with Unit Studies. Unit studies helped our family rediscover the joy of learning and led us to a deeper understanding of our topics of study. We also developed skills that allowed us to view topics from several angles, realizing how beautifully intertwined most subjects are. This simplifies the homeschool mother s job, and allows greater focus of time, attention, and energy on the joyful exploration of topics. As everyone in the family is studying the same topic, this method of teaching encourages the strengthening of family unity. How To Create Your Own Unit Study will introduce you to the learning style by discussing goals and evaluating curriculum before bringing you into the ideas and choices that begin to form a unit study for your family. These ideas are thoroughly covered in a variety of subjects. The Unit Study Idea Book begins with instruction on how to use the library to your advantage, and then delves into children s authors in order to enrich your studies. Specific ideas and suggestions to help spark your imagination will be helpful to the novice unit study planner. Several different styles of unit studies are discussed in this section. For the Love of Reading discusses the use of literature, narration, composition, reading journals and analysis that will enhance your unit studies. Success with Unit Studies gives practical advice on how to achieve your goals with this style of learning. If you desire to use unit studies to teach your family, this is a resource you ll want to have on your bookshelf. --Review by: Paula Anderson of Home School Enrichment Magazine
Unit Studies Made Easy 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. This book is a revision and compilation of four titles by Valerie: How to Create Your Own Unit Study, The Unit Study Idea Book, For the Love of Reading, and Success with Unit Studies. Plus this book includes a section entitled Biblical Parenting or Schooling at Home. 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! Much of this review was completed during the Christmas break from school. I really was not looking forward to January as I was relishing in our freedom especially sleeping in. However, after reading a few pages of this book, I could feel God recharging my batteries with enthusiasm and my love of teaching renewed. Moreover, I work a lot during the middle of the night and I had to fight the urge to wake my children so we could read. However, I fought the urge as it was 4:00am and we do have church in the morning. 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, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine
Resource: Unit Studies Made Easy: A Guide to Simplified Learning at Home Author: Valerie Bendt Grade Level: 1st 12th grade This excellent resource for those who are just beginning to explore the method of teaching unit studies is a tool that will enable even the most timid to venture forth in confidence. Unit Studies Made Easy is four books in one: How to Create Your Own Unit Study; The Unit Study Idea Book; For the Love of Reading; and Success with Unit Studies. Unit studies helped our family rediscover the joy of learning and led us to a deeper understanding of our topics of study. We also developed skills that allowed us to view topics from several angles, realizing how beautifully intertwined most subjects are. This simplifies the homeschool mother s job, and allows greater focus of time, attention, and energy on the joyful exploration of topics. As everyone in the family is studying the same topic, this method of teaching encourages the strengthening of family unity. How To Create Your Own Unit Study will introduce you to the learning style by discussing goals and evaluating curriculum before bringing you into the ideas and choices that begin to form a unit study for your family. These ideas are thoroughly covered in a variety of subjects. The Unit Study Idea Book begins with instruction on how to use the library to your advantage, and then delves into children s authors in order to enrich your studies. Specific ideas and suggestions to help spark your imagination will be helpful to the novice unit study planner. Several different styles of unit studies are discussed in this section. For the Love of Reading discusses the use of literature, narration, composition, reading journals and analysis that will enhance your unit studies. Success with Unit Studies gives practical advice on how to achieve your goals with this style of learning. If you desire to use unit studies to teach your family, this is a resource you ll want to have on your bookshelf. --Review by: Paula Anderson of Home School Enrichment Magazine
About the Author
Valerie and her husband Bruce have homeschooled their six children all of their school lives. With more than 25 years of homeschooling experience, Valerie offers wisdom and encouragement to help parents effectively teach their children. She has written a number of books of interest to homeschoolers including: Unit Studies Made Easy, Creating Books with Children, Reading Made Easy, and Making the Most of the Preschool Years. Valerie and Bruce's five oldest children have graduated from homeschooling, and the Bendts continue to homeschool their youngest son. Valerie holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Creative Writing from Eckerd College.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Book,
By
This review is from: Unit Studies Made Easy (Paperback)
I have long been a unit studies fan. Valerie's book has been helpful but it has been the most helpful in teaching language arts as it pertains to unit studies and the importance of reading and how to bring it into our chldren's lives naturally.
For the Love of reading was my favorite section of the book.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love it!,
This review is from: Unit Studies Made Easy (Paperback)
This book is helping me to revolutionize the way we homeschool, which has been a matter of prayer for me for some time now. This seems to be a compilation of 4 of Valerie Bendt's books: How to Create Your Own Unit Study, The Unit Study Idea Book, For the Love of Reading, and Success with Unit Studies. There are also some extras at the beginning and end of the book, as well as lengthy descriptions of Valerie's other books (I'm definitely going to look into her book, "Making The Most of the Preschool Years"). There was a lot of repitition, but I suppose that's to be expected from a compilation. It's still a great book, and I've gotten several great ideas from it. If you are longing to get off the textbook, school-at-home treadmill and ready to spend time having FUN learning with your kids, this book is a great one to look to. I implemented some of the ideas today, and we had the best school day we've had all year. I'm looking forward to totally revamping things over the summer so that we can have a great school year next year!
5.0 out of 5 stars
Exactly What I Needed!,
By
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This review is from: Unit Studies Made Easy (Paperback)
Filled with lots of encouragement, great ideas and practical advice this book was very helpful and uplifting to me. If you've never tried the unit study approach in your homeschooling or even if you have been schooling that way for a while, there is a wide variety of topics and information given.
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