A Stable Beginning: Funtastic Unit Studies: Science Unit Studies for Homeschoolers and Teachers ~ a TOS review

Tuesday, August 4, 2015

Funtastic Unit Studies: Science Unit Studies for Homeschoolers and Teachers ~ a TOS review

I love teaching science to the girls! When they make the connection to a concept it’s so much fun to see their little eyes light up. When we were offered the chance to review a new book of science unit studies for homeschooler called Science Unit Studies For Homeschoolers and Teachers from Funtastic Unit Studies I was so excited.

Sussan Kilbridge is the author of this book and she just happens to also be a homeschooling mom with a degree in biology. She wrote this book especially with homeschoolers in mind, however, the activities could be used within a classroom setting very easily.

The book is broken down by units for each recommend age level, either ages 4-7 or ages 8-13. The first 10 chapters are for the younger ages while the last 10 chapters are for the older group of kids. The book includes 20 chapters and covers units on

~ the senses

~ the human body

~ dinosaurs

~ animals

~ insects

~ stars and planets

~ health

~ plants I

~ animal ecology

~ magnets

~ insects

~ microscopes and invisible creatures

~ atoms and molecules

~ matter

~ chemistry fun

~ weather

~ force and motion

~ simple machines

~ light and color

~ plants II

Each unit is broken down into several different components. The first page gives you a supply list of materials needed for one child to complete the unit in list form. After the supply page the unit is broken down into different parts which include several different activities to choose from.

I choose to use the first unit on “Our Senses” with Montana (8) and McKenzie (5) since it ties in with our upcoming study of Human Anatomy. I was able to modify the material for Montana since she is a bit older than the recommended age guidelines.

Part 1 included a general overview of the unit and included a cute poem to help you remember each of your 5 senses.

Part 2 was on Taste. This was an especially fun section filled with many opportunities to taste different flavors.

Part 3 was on Touch and using our skin to figure out not only if something was rough or smooth.

Part 4 dealt with sight. We enjoyed looking into each others eyes and examining the pupils and also playing “I Spy”.

Part 5 we learned all about our eardrum and sound. We especially had fun making noise with packing bubbles. A great activity for young toddlers too.

Part 6 was all about the sense of Smell. We had fun trying to figure out different smells.

Overall, we have had such a wonderful time using science unit studies. The girls have learned a lot and I especially enjoy that it is such a hands-on experience for them to really get involved in learning about each topic. We will definitely keep using this book throughout our upcoming school year.

Want to check out a unit for yourself? Click here and you can find a free sample of two units in PDF files. Also be sure to check out what my CrewMates thought of this homeschool science by clicking the banner below.