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.
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