Unit Studies and Older Kids

We had an interesting discussion last week about why unit studies were used so much more at the younger ages than at the older ages. I've really been thinking about it since we had a marvelous time with unit studies when my 7th grader was in K-3 -- and some later on than that. However, when I look ahead to highschool, I don't automatically look at unit studies, nor do I feel that it's as important or doable.

For one, I do want a strong university-bound transcript at the end and the basics seem easier to cover with individual classes, though some lend themselves to easily be covered together such as English/Literature and History/Social Studies. However, to get enough depth to do any AP exams or SAT Subject Tests in specific areas will mean really focusing on one topic.

I think one of the other reasons is that as he gets older (& as his little brother needs more of my time), he's looking for other things -- more independence in what he's doing, information and learning from other people, etc. These lend themselves easier to outside classes on specific subjects or on purchased curriculum that covers the material.

And, from my perspective, it was great fun to put together a unit study on kings and queeens or light houses, because I knew how all the pieces fit together and I had room to be creative. As his level of understanding and learning increases, it becomes harder to create a unit study because I don't have the background to pull it together easily. It would need to be based on someone else's framework -- and there aren't many unit studies available for this age group that combine things in a manner that I feel are interesting and cover things at the appropriate level.

LEGO Engineering: From Kindergarten to College

An interesting 52 minute video from Tufts Center for Engineering Education and Outreach

LEGO Engineering: From Kindergarten to College
For the past 10 years, Tufts Center for Engineering Education and Outreach has been working with the LEGO Group to bring engineering into every classroom as a way to teach creativity, teamwork, and systems engineering as well as math, science, and literacy. We believe that as the world becomes more technical, and more dependent on technology, it is imperative that those who vote and who make policy understand the fundamentals of science and engineering so that they will make informed decisions on policies like developing a sustainable energy plan or reducing global warming. We do this by bringing engineering into the pre-college classroom and challenging students to design and build solutions to open-ended problems. Chris Rogers will show a number of examples from around the world of how teachers have used LEGO Robots to teach everything from how to graph to how to problem-solve. From LEGO snowplows (made by 1st graders) to automated hamburger makers (made by 13 year olds) to a LEGO robot driven by a fruit fly (made by a doctoral student), students have been excited, innovative, and very enthusiastic to learn. He will conclude by explaining how you can help affect your local school and classroom. Kids (of all ages) welcome.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EG-izyXfFHI

Blogs to Read (when I next have time!!!)

Blogs to go back and read:

Cult of done by Daniel Pink (he wrote the book about how important right brains will be in the future -- and spoke on PBS tonight -- interesting -- and what does it mean to educational objectives?
Anyway, this blog has some interesting quotes about getting things done:
http://www.danpink.com/archives/2009/03/cult-of-done

Free to have fun: Reclaiming your hobbies
Worth thinking about in this crazy pace of life we lead!
http://www.onsimplicity.net/2009/03/free-to-have-fun-reclaiming-your-hobbies/

A very cool list of blogs here that I need to check out!
20 Must Read Blogs for Married People
http://www.simplemarriage.net/20-must-read-blogs-for-married-people.html