July 15, 2026 – Modular and Unit Studies: What Are They?

Hal and Melanie Young

The Flexibility of Unit Studies

The wonderful thing about modular or unit studies is that you can take advantage of providential circumstances! When a family member invited our entire family to visit them in China one year, we put aside most of our regular curriculum and dove headfirst into Chinese history, language, geography, politics, and more. Our visit to China meant so much more than it might have because we were prepared for it and understood what we were seeing and were able to interact with the people around us. 

Modular and unit studies allow you to focus on one topic or subject for a briefer period of time than curricula that is spread out over a year does. That gives you tremendous flexibility to take advantage of special holidays or current events or even just topics your family is interested in. Incorporating the things your kids are passionate about can build their love of learning and overcome their resistance to certain subjects.

It was freeing to realize we didn’t have to do things like everyone else. It really doesn’t matter what grade your child studies state history in or when they learn about the solar system. We’ve had seven children go to college so far and no one ever asked anything at all about their studies before high school. Why not use that flexibility? 

Homeschooling can be a lot of fun when you’re open to following your passions and integrating school into life!

Your friends,

Hal and Melanie 

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About the author

Hal and Melanie Young have been homeschooling almost as long as they’ve been married, and they’re still happy with both decisions! They wrote My Beloved and My Friend: How to Be Married to Your Best Friend Without Changing Spouses to encourage their young adults – find out more at raisingrealmen.com.

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Todd Wilson

A Unit Study Worth Doing

Okay, I’m in way over my head now. I’m not even going to pretend that I know how to develop a modular or unit study. Actually, when I hear the words unit study, they make me tired. It sounds like more work and high expectations. I imagine an already overworked mother working way into the night on a large-scale replica of the inner nose made entirely of cereal boxes, tuna fish cans, and Scotch tape.

I know my wife has tried unit studies, but they never worked out quite like the books made them sound.

Now, after reading my introduction, you might think I’m against unit studies, but ‘au contraire’ (I love saying that), I’m really in favor of unit studies and have been doing one for many years. It’s called life.

In fact, it’s a curriculum designed by God and delivered to my doorstep each day. Take today, for example. Today, God decided that my family needs to work on living together in an unselfish way. For the first hour of the day, we’ve been hollering, arguing, and being about as ugly as a homeschool family can be. This is God’s unit study for my family.

All my wife and I have to do is lead the rest of the troops in learning the lesson, which is a lot harder than building a model of the nose.

So, Mom, you might need to throw away the tuna fish cans and be on the lookout for the life unit study God gives you instead. It should be hand-delivered any minute now. Believe me, if that’s all you teach your children today, you will have taught them well.

Be Real,
Todd

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About the author

Todd Wilson is a dad, granddad, writer, conference speaker, and former pastor. Todd’s humor and down to earth realness have made him a favorite speaker at homeschool conventions, retreats, and churches across the country. As founder of Familyman Ministries and the Smiling Homeschooler, his passion and mission are to remind dads and moms of what’s most important through weekly e-mails, podcasts (The Familyman Show & The Smiling Homeschooler), seminars, and books and products that encourage parents. Todd, and his wife Debbie, still homeschool two of their eight children (six have graduated with four married) in northern Indiana. You can read more at www.familymanweb.com.

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Lani Carey

Modular and Unit Studies: What Are They?

A long-time friend and veteran homeschool mom used to teach a workshop about how to homeschool called, “How Do You Eat an Elephant? One Bite at a Time!” 

For all you moms struggling with how to teach a whole year of chemistry or algebra or Spanish, here’s an idea. Why don’t you teach the subject one bite at a time using modular learning or unit studies? When my kids were young, we loved unit studies and took deep dives into different periods of history while integrating science, math, English, art/music (basically everything) into our studies, which we did monthly. 

Now, many educators are using modular learning, which studies have indicated is one of the best ways to learn. An example of modular learning is if, instead of opening an elementary science book and going through the whole book from beginning to end in a year, you look at the table of contents and ask your students what they would like to study this year. Then you would do short modules on “magnetism” or “plants” or “planets.” Whatever piques their interest and curiosity is what they will love learning about and remember. If you want to make it into a unit study, you can add in other subjects, so that a study of “electricity” would include history, math, English, etc. 

If you have a hard time planning out curriculum on your own, Schoolhouse Teachers has done the planning for you!! Modular Learning Center – SchoolhouseTeachers.com 

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About the author

Lani Carey has been homeschooling since 1990,  graduating four children and three grandchildren. As a homeschool guidance counselor for 21+ years, she developed programs for NCAA eligibility, military/military academy admissions, and many more.  A speaker since 1997, Lani shares her expertise through conferences, webinars, and workshops. She is passionate about the value of play, relaxed schooling, and empowering parents. https://www.homeschoolcounselingteam.com/

Heather Vogler

Learning Redefined

Teacher’s manuals. 180-day lesson plans. Core subjects. These terms define school—but do they define education? When I want to try or elevate a recipe, I do not go out and enroll in a culinary institute for months or years at a time. I watch a YouTube video, read a book, or ask a seasoned home chef. Why can’t we use these same methods in our homeschool? If my child wants to know about space, why wait until next semester when we get to the “space unit” in the textbook that will only last a few days? On the flip side, if my child has zero interest in music, do I really need to have him take an entire semester of the recorder just because the book says so? While the various subjects in your current curriculum can be a great introduction to various topics, the amount of time spent on certain subjects should and can be completely up to the teacher (that’s you!).

Implementing unit studies on topics that your child already has an interest in can help hammer the details into his mind in a way that a textbook never will. Taking the space example, a child can create 3D models of the solar system, keep an eye on the space station when it passes over your area, or plan a family backyard campout during a meteor shower such as the Perseid meteor shower in August. 

Make education an event. Make it memorable. Make a lasting impression by adding unit studies to your routine.

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About the author

Heather Vogler, her husband, and five children call the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia home where they homeschool and homestead. Heather has homeschooled her children from the beginning and enjoys an eclectic style of teaching. As a freelance writer she has been published in Focus on the Family Magazine, War Cry Magazine, and Brio Magazine. Heather holds a BA in Christian Ministries and currently writes at ThriftSchooling.com.  

Modular and Unit Studies: What Are They? 

Getting locked into a full-year curriculum that your child doesn’t love is disappointing, for you and the child! Modular and unit studies provide ample opportunities for seasonal, interest-driven, or flexible learning. The Modular Learning Center at SchoolhouseTeachers.com is a wealth of information, complete with example schedules and learning templates to get you started. What topic will you explore first?