Elementary Unit Studies

Our K-6th Grade Unit Studies cover all subjects other than math and English. Each subject is presented as a unit study, comprised of an exciting and well-organized set of topics, and a variety of easy-to-use learning and teaching resources.

Kindergarten Unit Studies

1st Semester

  • Kindergarten Geography
  • Kindergarten Science Part 1
  • Kindergarten Fine Arts Part 1

2nd Semester

  • Kindergarten American History
  • Kindergarten Science Part 2
  • Kindergarten Fine Arts Part 2

Each Kindergarten Unit Study includes 16 lessons. They are comprised of simple presentations of academic concepts, engaging images, discussion questions and fun activities. Each lesson takes 10-20 minutes to complete. Enrolled students submit their work for grading and video feedback by a caring mentor.

Recommended Pacing

We have found that kindergarten students do not thrive in live, scheduled online courses, so these unit studies are self-paced. Each semester, we recommend that parents guide students through one lesson per week, for each of the three subjects.

1st Grade Subjects

1st Semester

  • 1st Grade American Civilization Part 1
  • 1st Grade Geography
  • 1st Grade Life Science
  • 1st Grade Fine Arts Part 1

2nd Semester

  • 1st Grade American Civilization Part 2
  • 1st Grade World Civilization
  • 1st Grade Physical Science
  • 1st Grade Fine Arts Part 2

Each 1st Grade Unit Study includes 16 lessons. They are comprised of simple presentations of academic concepts, engaging images, discussion questions and fun activities. Each lesson takes 15-25 minutes to complete. Enrolled students submit their work for grading and video feedback by a caring mentor.

Recommended Pacing

We have found that 1st Grade students do not thrive in live, scheduled online courses, so these unit studies are self-paced. Each semester, we recommend that parents guide students through one lesson per week, for each of the four subjects.

2nd Grade Subjects

1st Semester

  • 2nd Grade American Civilization Part 1
  • 2nd Grade Geography
  • 2nd Grade Life Science
  • 2nd Grade Fine Arts Part 1

2nd Semester

  • 2nd Grade American Civilization Part 2
  • 2nd Grade World Civilization
  • 2nd Grade Physical Science
  • 2nd Grade Fine Arts Part 2

Each 2nd Grade Unit Study includes 16 lessons. They are comprised of simple presentations of academic concepts, engaging images, discussion questions and fun activities. Each lesson takes 20-30 minutes to complete. Enrolled students submit their work for grading and video feedback by a caring mentor.

Recommended Pacing

We have found that 2nd Grade students do not thrive in live, scheduled online courses, so these unit studies are self-paced. Each semester, we recommend that parents guide students through one lesson per week, for each of the four subjects.

3rd – 6th Grade Subjects

  • US History
  • World History
  • Geography
  • Science
  • Fine Arts
  • Biographies
  • Government and Citizenship

3rd – 6th Grade Unit Studies are provided self-paced and taught in live, online classes. You may choose one of these two options for each child.

Parents love the unit studies because…

  • Incorporation of academics with the restored gospel of Jesus Christ
  • The unique team effort between parents and school to teach children
  • Easy to use! No lesson plans – just simple sets of beautiful, inspiring unit studies
  • Well-organized, consistent and thoughtfully prepared units and topics
  • Works for individual students, families, and learning communities

Children love the Unit Studies because…

  • Delightfully written and illustrated stories for each topic
  • Fun and memorable activities
  • Engaging videos to help them see and understand each topic better
  • Plenty of choice – unit studies and topics can be explored in any order

Doctrine and Covenants 89:19 states: “And [they] shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures.”

Each of our unit study schedules is named after a valuable gemstone to remind us of the hidden treasures of knowledge God has in store for us. Unit study schedules can be completed in any order.

Each year, one unit study schedule is taught to all student who are enrolled in our Elementary School 3rd – 6th Grade Live Program. Enrolled self-paced students and independent users may use any available unit study or schedule at any time.

Specific 3rd – 6th Grade unit studies in each schedule are identified in this chart:

The numbers in parenthesis indicate the number of topics in each unit study.

RUBY
SCHEDULE
TOPAZ
SCHEDULE
OPAL
SCHEDULE
EMERALD
SCHEDULE
US History: The Colonial Era (20)US History: The Founding of a Nation (20)US History: The Building of a Nation (20)Modern US History (20)
Ancient Civilizations (20)The Middle Ages (20)The Renaissance, Reformation, and Revolution (20)Modern World History (20)
Geography of Africa and Europe (10)Geography of Central and South America, Oceans and Seas (10)Geography of the Arctic, Antarctica, Asia and the Middle East (10)Geography of North America (10)
Astronomy (20)  Geology (10)The Animal Kingdom (30)The Human Body (20)Plants (20)    Physical Science (20)
Biographies of Great Scientists (10)Biographies of American Founders (10)Biographies of Great Explorers (10)Biographies of Great Inventors (10)
Fine Arts: Music Appreciation (10)Fine Arts: Art Appreciation (10)Fine Arts: Theater Appreciation (10)Fine Arts: Architecture Appreciation (10)
US Government and Citizenship (10)Common Forms of Government (10)Foundations of Freedom (20)Justice for All (20)
110 Total Topics110 Total Topics110 Total Topics110 Total Topics

To learn more about each schedule, click the following links:

Ruby Schedule

Topaz Schedule

Opal Schedule

Emerald Schedule

Click here to access in a 4-week sample of one of our unit studies. (When you click, you will be prompted to enroll. There is no charge for the sample. You will simply be added to the sample course.)

A word from one of our curriculum developers:

Crystal Haitsma

“When I got started writing for this project, both my children and I got so interested and invested in the biographies that I was writing, that we read everything we could find on each person. We had a great time together researching and reading, and my kids would even enjoy listening to the autobiography of Gandhi or writings from philosophers! After getting back into writing, I started reading more for leisure as well. After reading several books on my own, unrelated to my bios, I also started writing book reports after each book that I finished. My kids couldn’t figure out why I would do something like that, and I responded: “because it’s fun!” And it’s true. We all have loved learning together, and it’s inspired me, as a mother, to delve into my own learning and education.”    –Crystal Haitsma

Each 3rd – 6th Grade Unit Study includes…

Unit Studies Graphic

Stories: Each topic includes an engaging story, written for children, and designed to explain and tell about that topic. The stories are provided in the form of Google Slide Shows, and are nicely illustrated. Parents may prefer to use a tablet to read and discuss the stories, while sitting with their children on the couch, or they may show the story on a large screen. Older children may prefer to read the stories independently.

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Unit Study Journal: Each student is invited to build a Unit Study Journal for each school year. For each topic studied, invite children to write, type or dictate the ideas they wish to remember. Each unit study comes with its own Digital Unit Study Journal for students to use.

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Illustrations and Graphics: Children are invited to draw or paint an illustration, or print a graphic, for each topic they study, and place their illustrations in their Unit Study Journal. A selection of beautiful and interesting graphics are provided in the Unit Study, for this purpose.

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Videos: Embedded videos are provided for  each topic in all Unit Studies. All videos have been previewed and carefully selected to insure that they are interesting, engaging, age-appropriate, and in keeping with common standards of decency.

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Activities: Links to simple activities are included with each Unit Study. These activities make learning more interesting, memorable and fun, while cultivating a love for learning in children’s hearts.

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Timeline: Printable timeline cards are provided with each Unit Study. Families are invited to create a timeline to display in their homes.

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Field Trips: Field trip ideas are included with each Unit Study. Fields trips are a great culminating activity, to encourage children to complete a Unit Study. They are also a great way to introduce a new Unit Study.

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Guests: Ideas are included for each Unit Study, for types of guests that you might invite to visit your home or your learning community, to share relevant ideas and experiences with the children, and answer any questions they may have.

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Memorizations and Recitations: Quotes, passages, poems, and sayings are included with each Unit Study, for children to memorize and recite.

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Culminating event: Ideas for culminating events are provided with each Unit Study, to do at the end of each unit. These events help inspire a love for learning in the hearts of children and cause their learning to be more memorable, meaningful and fun!

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Gamification: Many children feel a much stronger desire to engage in learning when their progress is tracked with a point system, and the points are redeemable for rewards. This is an optional resource to use. Mom determines what rewards are offered, and the point value attached to each reward. A Unit Studies Point Tracker is provided.