Ruby Unit Study Schedule is available now for enrolled self-paced students and for independent use. (Exceptions: See release dates on Geography and Geology.) It will be the focus of our 3rd – 6th Grade Live Program in 2024-2025.
Ruby Schedule Units
These unit studies are designed for 3rd – 6th Grade students.
US History: The Colonial Era (20 topics)
Learn the exciting stories of Jamestown and the Pilgrims. Speculate on the fate of the Roanoke Colony. Enjoy exploring the history of each of the 13 colonies. Hear about the colonists’ lifestyle, food, work, homes, education, religion, traditions and more. Find out about the fascinating history of Russian colonization in America. Discover the history of the Spanish colonizers in Florida and California.
Ancient Civilizations (20 topics)
Beginning with in introduction to archeology, children will explore some of the largest and most influential ancient civilizations. This unit study will cover Mesopotamia, Egypt, Nubia, Ancient Judaism, Christianity and Islam, West African Empires, Ancient India and Feudal Japan. Learn about Ancient Greece, from the birth of democracy and Sparta, to Alexander the Great. Discover the rise and fall of Rome, and Pax Romana. Journey back in time to the Shang, Zhou, Qin and Han Dynasties of Ancient China, and learn about Confucianism, Daoism and the construction of the Great Wall. Explore Ancient America as you learn about the Olmecs, Mayans, Aztecs and Incas.
Geography of Africa and Europe (10 topics)
Release date: March 1, 2024
Explore Africa and Europe through this exciting geography unit study. Students will learn to appreciate the culture and physical features of each continent. They will also learn basic geography terms. The focus of this unit study is to inspire gratitude for our beautiful world and all of God’s children.
Geology (10 topics)
Release date: March 1, 2024
This informative unit study will teach students about the fascinating features of our physical planet. They will learn about Earth’s shape, poles and equator. They will discover Earth’s layers and the main types of soil. There is an overview of the physical aspects of oceans and continents. Students will explore plate tectonics, earthquakes, Pangaea, continental drift, volcanos, geysers and hydrothermal vents. They will gain an understanding of major landforms, sea floor geography, erosion, fossils and fossil fuels, tar pits, the rock cycle, and types of rocks and minerals.
Astronomy (20 topics)
Take an exciting journey to the stars, as you learn about the invention of the telescope through modern space exploration. Learn about each planet in our solar system, and the basics of gravity and planetary motion. Discover the fascinating characteristics of our moon and sun. Gain an appreciation for the variety and size of distant galaxies and nebulae. Learn some basic orienteering. Find out about the life cycle of stars, the variety of constellations, the mystery of black holes, and the nature of comets, asteroids, and meteoroids.
Great Scientists (10 topics)
Discover the inspiring and exciting lives of some of the world’s greatest scientists. This unit study introduces children to Marie Curie, Sir Isaac Newton, Nikola Tesla, Aristotle, Albert Einstein, Galileo Galilei, Mary Anning, Michael Faraday, Alice Ball and Rachel Carson.
Music Appreciation (10 topics)
Children will discover the wonderful history of music, starting with the middle ages and the Renaissance, and then learning about the music and great composers of the Baroque Age, the Classical Period, the Romantic Era and the Twentieth Century. Enjoy learning about the instruments of the orchestra, and the modern genres of folk, pop, rock and jazz music. Children will be excited to learn some famous children’s songs. The unit study wraps up with a fascinating exploration of the world of composing, recording and performing.
US Government and Citizenship (10 topics)
Upper elementary aged children will gain an appreciation for the US Government by learning about the US Constitution and Amendments, the three branches of government and the duties and powers of each, and how the state governments are organized – including the state courts. This Unit Study explains how towns, cities and counties form our local communities and how “we the people” can participate in government through the election process, political parties and lobbying our representatives.