Amanda Bennett's Unit Study News
July 2006
You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to it at www.unitstudy.com. This issue may be freely distributed to friends, discussion lists and groups, as long as the entire issue is included.
Newsletter Sections:
Amanda's Corner
Going Digital
Announcements
Unit Study Thoughts and Tips
Learning Links
Amanda's Corner
Hope you are having a terrific July! I don't know where the time has flown to, but the days have been flying off the calendar. Here in Tennessee, we are having a tough time with the drought, and thankful that the garden has once again produced an abundance of tomatoes and the proverbial counters full of squash! :)
For those of you getting ready to jump into the new Scrapbooking Unit, I'm still sorting piles of pictures! I have noticed that the sorting process gets slower as the number of people "helping" increases -- so many memories to share. Use the time to gain perspective on just how far the whole family has come, physically, emotionally and spiritually. I can see how this scrapbooking hobby could become addictive -- "IF" you are an organized person! :-) I don't anticipate having this addiction...
I did discover a very cool thing to do with the children's favorite blankets or T-shirts, etc. Scan them in and use them as a page background! So, as fabric fades and yellows in the years to come, these precious memories will be preserved and enjoyed again and again. For those of you that still have the hospital baby bracelet, knit cap, and receiving blanket, scan them in together on one screen, and what a beautiful page. So now I am getting a bit creative, look out...
Check out the new special announced later in the newsletter, and notice the bonus included on the Scrapbooking Unit Study CD!
Blessings,
Amanda B.
www.unitstudy.com
Going Digital
The Elections are almost here -- this fall will be a great time to study American Government.
Come on along as we learn the story of our government – visiting the halls of lawmakers and justice, and much more. Take time to read about some of the people that have changed the course of our country by voicing their concerns and ideas, as citizens of this great country. From voting to obeying laws, from governments during biblical times to governments today – join us in our investigation.
And now, FINALLY, we have the American Government Unit Study in downloadable format for those of you that want to obtain the study immediately. Follow this link to learn more.
Announcement
1
|
Join in the savings for the last few days in July, and get ready for a holiday season to remember! ONLY through July 31, 2006 -- Buy BOTH the Thanksgiving AND Christmas Unit Studies on CD for only...
Christmas Unit Study + Thanksgiving Unit Study |
Follow this link to learn more about the Christmas in July Sale
Meet Me in Kansas City
For those of you who have been kind enough to write about the upcoming weekend in Kansas City, thanks! I am so excited to share with you that I am headed for the "Home is Where Your Story Begins" conference, a weekend of encouragement and support for homeschooling parents from all over the country (and there are some from outside the US, too!).
Jane and Steve Lambert
are holding their unforgettable conference the weekend of September 15-16, and
the theme of the conference is just what so many of us need right now -- "Home
is Where Your Story Begins." I will be speaking at the conference, as well as
answering questions and meeting homechooling parents. I will never forget the
last conference of theirs that I went to -- and I am so excited about being a
part of this one. Between the Lamberts and the Bennetts, we've gotten four kids
to and through college, and are still alive to talk about it! <grin> This will
be a weekend to remember.
These conferences are SO different from other homeschool conferences. They are
structured to be very warm and personal, with plenty of sharing and caring and
support. If you can join us there, I'd love to meet you!
To learn more about the
conference:
Home is Where Your Story Begins
Hope to see YOU there!
Announcement 2
The Scrapbooking Unit Study is now out of here and in the mail, and I have enclosed a surprise bonus on the CDROM! Check the CD when it arrives, and you should find the bonus book written by Lucy M. Montgomery (avid scrapbooking fan), Anne of Greene Gables!
UNIT STUDY THOUGHTS AND TIPS FROM AMANDA
One of the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) this summer was "How long does it take YOU to prepare a unit study?" This always makes me smile, as I begin to relate the story of my love for research (must be the engineering degree) and love of children. This combination has been wonderful when it comes to writing unit studies, as the pursuit of answers and the joy of presenting to the children is so rewarding!
I typically take about 6 weeks to develop a unit study. Between learning all that I can about the topic, digesting the tons of information available, and then developing a plan of study attack to bring it all together. Yes, I know, I am quite the "geek." :) However, what a gift to be blessed with an endless love of learning! So, while it does sound like a long time, realize that I am developing unit studies while also being a wife and homeschool mom.
Another question that is frequently asked -- "Why use unit studies?" Unit studies provide a wonderful tool for parents to use to teach their children, and learn together as a family. They develop knowledge and thinking skills, the ability to discern, to question and identify, and expand their creativity and sense of wonder, instead of turning it off with the drudgery of rote memorization that is fundamental in a "standard" education.
When I use a unit study, I am working with children to not only help them learn about the topic at hand, but more importantly - to show them HOW to think and HOW to find answers. What do we want to know? Where should we look to find answers? Who can we ask that might be able to help us in our search? These are all questions that you and I process on a daily basis - whether it is concerning an illness of a loved one, a possible new mortgage, the purchased of a new home appliance, and on and on. We can use unit studies to teach them to think, to reason, and to become self-motivated learners - and that is my goal when I write and use unit studies!
Learning Links
Summer Coloring Pages
http://www.kidsdomain.com/holiday/summer/color.html
Summer Coloring Pages
http://www.coloring.ws/summer1.htm
Summer Crafts for Kids
http://www.kidsdomain.com/craft/_summer.html
Summer Crafts, Games and Puzzles
http://www.dltk-kids.com/crafts/summer/
Juice Lid Windchimes
http://www.fresnofamily.com/activities/chimes.htm
Windchimes for Kids to Make
http://www.thefamilycorner.com/family/kids/crafts/fathersday.shtml
How to Make a Lemonade Stand
http://www.thefamilycorner.com/family/kids/crafts/fathersday.shtml
Lemonade Stand Recipes
http://www.sunkist.com/takeastand/recipes/
Summer Food for the Family
http://www.babyzone.com/features/content/display.asp?topicid=9198&contentid=1154&scf=3020
Black Scratch Crayon Pictures
http://everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=811813
Red, White and Blue Freezer Pops
http://jas.familyfun.go.com/recipefinder/display?id=50244
Blessings to you and yours!
Sincerely,
Amanda B.
www.unitstudy.com