This post is in collaboration with My Teaching Library regarding the Comprehensive USA Unit Study, a homeschool 50 states unit study that explores all 50 states through notebooking, research, and hands-on activities.
As homeschoolers, combining our students for some subjects can be a valuable approach.
Learning together as a family has a multitude of benefits for homeschoolers. It creates shared memories and great discussions, and it is a great time-saver for parents. However, it does mean finding ways to make materials work for a variety of ages and abilities.
The Comprehensive USA Unit Study solves the problem of making materials work for different ages by using a notebooking approach with a variety of different templates that allow each student to work to his or her ability while covering the same content.
What Is the Comprehensive USA Homeschool 50 States Unit Study?
The Comprehensive USA Unit Study is a homeschool 50 states unit study that encompasses all 50 states. It includes research, information, visual aids, and multiple notebooking pages to create projects for each state. The unit study is designed to cover multiple subjects (history, geography, writing, research, art, and civics) and a wide variety of ages.
What is Included in the Comprehensive USA Unit Study?
1. The Research & Reference Core
- A Comprehensive 50-State Guide
- Read across America literary journey
- Research recording pages
2. Student Notebooking and Reporting
- Wide variety of report pages
- State symbol spotlights
- Compare and contrast
3. Maps, Flags, and Visual Aids
- Full-page maps
- Artistic templates
- Lined state maps
4. Teacher Planning and Active Learning
- How-to planning pages
- Organizational tools
- State capital bookmarks
What is the Research and Reference Core?
The research and reference core of this study includes a two-paragraph history for each state, a page with various state symbols, and a partial page for each that provides a quick-glance overview of state order, famous people, geography, industry, landmarks, flags, and history.
Each state also includes a book list organized by primary, elementary, and upper elementary levels, with several recommended titles for each age group. In addition, a few recommendations cover all 50 states.
What is included in the student notebooking and recording section?
The notebooking and recording section is the core of the work that the students will do for each state project. It begins with a KWL chart and note-taking pages for the students to use as they begin their research.
It also includes blank pages for drawing maps, pages to share information about the state’s climate and geography, and fun pages to share drawings or pictures of the state symbols, along with space to write about them. There are even Venn diagrams for comparisons. This section of notebooking pages is over 50 pages long, providing a wide variety of templates for students of various ages and abilities.
What Visual Aids Are Included?
This study includes a wide variety of visual aids.
First, there is a huge selection of different maps. The maps themselves could be a standalone geography resource, and they add a great deal to this study.
There are maps for each state in various formats. For each state, you have an outline map, a map with important cities marked, and even an outline map with writing lines inside. The maps with lines allow your student to do part of their notebooking on a page that represents the state’s shape.
In addition, there are both black-and-white and full-color US maps that show states, regions, and more.
There are also coloring sheets for the flags, birds, and state flowers of each state. This is a great way to add color and art to their projects.
There are also bookmarks that include a list of each state and its capital—a great visual reminder to help students remember those important cities.
What Additional Resources Are Included?
Finally, a few other resources are included to make this unit study easy to implement and use. There are teacher planning sheets, an optional grading rubric, and a short how-to-use guide for parents. There is also a list of materials for needed and optional supplies. Of note, those supplies are all basic school/art supplies that many people already have at home.
Who Is This Homeschool 50 States Unit Study Best For?
While this study is primarily geared towards elementary students, the flexibility of the notebooking pages means that you could also adapt it for older students. Middle-grade students could go a little further in their research or use books at a slightly higher reading level.
For younger elementary students, you may need to scribe their notebooking pages, but they can still join in the learning, and the coloring pages are a great resource for them.
This homeschool 50 states unit study lends itself to a variety of settings. It works well for a single student, a family teaching multiple children, a homeschool co-op, or a classroom. Students can work together to study one state or divide the states among groups while completing notebooking pages at their own ability levels.
With 50 states available, this can easily be a full-year geography course, but you can also tailor it to your needs. You could choose to focus on your state, or pick a new state each month to cover as a family, using it over several years.
Find out more and purchase your copy of the Comprehensive USA Unit Study at My Teaching Library.
FAQS
Do I need to purchase additional books and resources?
While you will want to look at some additional books or research for each state, you can do so through the library or internet searches without purchasing additional books. Gather a few basic supplies, such as paper, colored pencils, and a binder or folder, to complete these projects. Most homeschool families already have these materials on hand.
Can I use this with multiple students or my co-op class?
Yes, your license for this product covers any students you are teaching, including all students in your home or in any class you teach.
HomeschoolingFinds.com Author
Dawn is a passionate follower of Jesus, wife to Chris, and homeschool mom of five. In her spare time she loves to read, hike, and write on her blog Schoolin’ Swag. She enjoys reviewing curriculum and helping moms find the right fit for their family.