Implementing




Implementing	Do's
Don'ts	Common Problems

 Sometimes planning becomes easier than actually doing.  Most plans never turn out the way we expect. If we prayfully plan and then trust the Lord to direct each and every step, we will make steady progress.  We must be flexible and allow God to change the plans w have  made as He sees fit.  We should be constantly looking for God given opportunities for growth and learning.  We may not be able to check off a long list of Do's if we have aimed at a God given goals. If what you are DOING is not yielding the goals that God gave you for your children then STOP and  rethink your methods and materials and begin again. 
 

Do's

A Unit Study should:

• cause a student to THINK, LEARN, REMEMBER, RELATE
• increase our students love for learning 
• help the student progress toward independent learning 
• allow flexibility 

give the student the big picture and show how all of the parts fit together
• always keep long term goals in view

A Unit Study should not: 

• take all of our time and too many resources
• shouldn't try to cover too many subjects
• be haphazard
• take priority over basic skills (basic skill might be pasting and cutting, subject covered would be secondary to student learning basic skill)
• be disjointed pieces with no logical connection
• be short sighted forgetting learner's need

Below are several problems that many people who have tried Unit Studies have encountered. 
 
• Educational Clutter 

Don Aslett says,"Getting the clutter out of your life can and will rid you of more discouragement, tiredness, and boredom than anything else you can do."  Mary Pride has a wonderful chapter in her book Schoolproof called "Educational Clutter".  In it she explains that "Your job, should you choose to accept it, is to pick the simplest way to present a lesson and stick to it." (page 130) If you want to play after you've learn then go ahead.  Don't get lost in the jungle of cute educational clutter. (See pages 113-130.)

• Over Planning

Planning more than you can reasonably accomplish and actually expecting yourself to accomplish everything you plan is a common problem of those who are just starting with units.  Be reasonable.  Stick to the point.  Know what you are trying to learn and stick with it.  Plan expecting not to complete everything you have listed on your planning sheet.
 
• Time Snatchers 

These are those things which keep you from doing what you planned.  Try to keep study time regular, consistent, take phone calls, plan appointments and shopping around this regular time.  A little bit everyday will yield a lot in the long run.  Training up your  children is a high priority.  Don't neglect this because of over commitment or scheduling.