For those that love to learn,
I rejoice in a book that makes me want to learn more, do more, and think more, and with that in mind, I put together this unit study guide as a companion to the first book in my Strandline Trilogy (Beyond the Strandline, Book I).
As a teacher, tutor, and homeschool parent/grandparent, I always appreciate hands-on activities and unit style study guides that cover a multitude of subjects (history, science, social studies, language, and more) because learning is forever and connected.
Authors often do a great deal of research when they write their novels. A study guide can extend the reading experience for students, fans, and even book clubs. Sharing what you've learned or studied in researching and writing a novel is a delightful way to teach both the value of research and a love for discovery. There's also the added benefit of teaching comprehension and understanding. Unit studies also address the needs of visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners.
HOW IS A UNIT STUDY DIFFERENT? Rather than teach subjects in unconnected segments or subjects, a unit study seeks to show the connections between all of the disciplines. History can be a wonderful overview, when taught in a unit study framework shows the way humans develop and integrate knowledge. Individual subjects taught in sixty minute intervals are more for convenience in a traditional classroom setting, rather than a comprehensive program of integrated learning.
HOW DO I START? I went through a few of the study guides that I found helpful when I was a homeschooling parent. Also Google UNIT STUDY. There are a wealth of various guides and outlines out there. Some focus more on discussion or book club settings. A lot of the study guides run very heavily to worksheets or pencil and paper activities. I've always preferred things that you can do or make (ie hands-on).
HOW DO I STRUCTURE MY STUDY GUIDE? The sky's the limit, but I wanted a format with some structure. Each of the chapters include the following areas:
DISCOVER (Concept): Look for and discover ideas and facts that can deepen the story and the reading experience. (In this section I point out subjects or ideas for additional research.)
DISCUSS (Observation and Discussion): This section is structured in a book club discussion format. (Once again, using the actual text, I chose a phrase or quote and suggest questions to stimulate discussion.)
DEFINE (Vocabulary): Straight up definitions of words and phrases used in the chapter.
DRAW/WRITE/SAY (Language, Art, Speech): Students learn to express themselves through written, visual, and oral projects. Example (Chapters 14-17) Research the history of keeping time and sundials and give an oral report.
DO (Hands on projects to make and do): Anything that can be touched, created, or made is a fabulous way to cement concepts and learning.) Example (Chapters 14-17) Create a homemade sundial with a link. NOTE: Internet web addresses are considered open source information and cannot be copyrighted.
WHAT FORMAT SHOULD YOU CONSIDER FOR YOUR STUDY GUIDE? I have both an e-version of the guide and an 8 1/2" by 11" workbook sized version. I wanted something that could be opened flat, written in, and used as a workbook. But it's up to you and the focus you'd like for your study/reading guide.
HOW DID YOU DECIDE ON YOUR TOPICS? I was after something for a more academic use, but certainly those that write "prepper fiction" might want to focus more on the tips, tricks, and how to's of prepping and survival. And those that write more literary works might focus on the how to's of writing or creating a story. Again, the sky be limitless.
IN CONCLUSION: Writers and authors are creative creatures, that can, from whole cloth, make characters that people love. And then we kill them. And then we solve the crime. We're awesome.
Get creative. Think outside the box. Be relentlessly helpful.
Sincerely,
Linda L. Zern
