NEW BEGINNINGS

I am starting off 2013 with a change. I'm over the top excited about my newest planner, a unit study planner.  In sharing background information about my newest change, maybe I can help you if you are sitting on the fence about diving into unit studies or if you just want to plan a mini unit study.

Last June, I shared my unit study printables with you. But for a majority of the time last year, I was trying to use my daily lesson planning pages as the main part of my planner and incorporate my unit study pages into it. It was not working because unit studies are planned differently than a daily lesson plan.  I knew when I created the unit study pages that I needed something more than one page and was excited about the new pages. 

However, what became obvious was my need to flip my planners.  I needed to make my unit study planner the main one and add in daily lesson planning pages if we decided to take a break from unit studies.

Slowly over the years, I have added unit studies and it became real apparent last year in June that I prepare/use unit studies more than any other approach.  I have known that for a while but oh yes I can be slow on the uptake sometimes. Ever feel that way when you need to make a change?

On the other hand, we can't beat ourselves up over it. When trying a new approach, I don't ever recommend a "sink or swim" approach. There is no need to jump into something without slowly warming up to the idea.  Try to enjoy it and investigate it before hand. Homeschooling is about growing and your needs will be different each year and change is needed.

So guess what I did? I took the pages from last year's unit study printables, updated them and have now created a comprehensive Unit Study Planner.

As far as the unit study approach, I don't talk homeschoolers into using it or any approach, but I will say it satisfies our desire to not just learn at a surface level. We may want to look at other facets of a topic and not just "locate" answers. We like information immersion on certain topics. It is kind of like learning whole to parts. Deciding on which facet or part of the topic we want to focus on is the lure for us.

Here are a few noteworthy things about this newest planner:

• It won't be free BUT it will for you on Jan 10th and 11th. I am giving you a "heads up" for this newest planner to be downloaded on those two days only at Homeschool Freebie of the Day.  I'll remind you again but wanted to let you know early enough in case you are deciding which planner to print.
  
• It is a WEEKLY planner. Unlike a daily planner, you need less room for each individual child's work because all of your children are covering the same topic.
  
• It is in COLOR.
• The subject page is editable so you can add in your own subjects OR use the premade one that comes with the download.
• The lesson planning pages have been changed to include larger areas to write it and I use lower, middle and upper grades as the group dividers so that the planner can grow with your family.  Lower grades one year may be preschool and another year it could be 1st to 3rd grade.
  
• The unit study planning pages include 4 pages for planning each unit. There are planning pages for 14 units. So the planning pages and the lesson planning pages all stay in one planner for your easy reference. Your brainstorming ideas stay right alongside your lesson planning pages.
• Like my free 7 Step Customized Planner, it too is UNDATED. One download and you can use it year after year.
  
• I have samples of each page so you can get the full use out of it.
• This is a printed planner meant to be coil bound and printed like my Free 7 Step Customized Planner.
• I know that not everybody needs such comprehensive printing instructions, but I have included instructions about double sided printing for those needing a little more printing help.
  

Here are some reasons why I am excited about it:

• You have the choice of combining part of this WEEKLY planner with my Free 7 Step Customized DAILY planner to have a VERY unique planner. If you are on the fence about unit studies and want to try your hand at one or two, then add a section from this newest planner so you can delve off into them when you choose.  If you are mostly using the unit study approach like me but take breaks if the mood hits, then add a daily section for lesson plans to use laid out curriculum. Change as needed on a whim during the year by having any section and as much of each section in your planner.
  
• The downloads for the unit study planner are divided up into several parts so you can add free pages from our site like attendance, grade keeper, calendar, class schedules and anything else you want in between unit study sections.
  

One last thing to tell you, I have a surprise for you after the free limited time has expired on Homeschool Freebie of the Day. You know I love ya and I held something back just for you. Only my followers will get this freebie.  

Mark your calendar next week for Jan 10th and 11th. Spread the word if you think somebody else will benefit from it too.

Are you going to try a unit study or two with me this year?

Hugs,