How I Lesson Prep for a New Homeschool Unit (Without Losing My Mind🙃)
When it’s time to kick off a new homeschool unit in our home, I try to keep things simple, intentional, and flexible. Our homeschool style is a blend of structure and spontaneity—so I’ve found a rhythm that helps us stay prepared without overplanning. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how I lesson prep for a new themed unit with my two kiddos.
1. Start With the Books 📚 – Library First, Home Second
Books are the heart of every unit we do. Whether it’s a unit on seasons, ocean animals, or healthy habits, I always begin by grabbing whatever I can find at the library first. We check out a mix of:
Picture books
Nonfiction reference books
Poetry or themed storybooks
Audiobooks or read-alongs (great for multitasking days!)
After that, I go through our home collection to see what treasures we already own that tie into the theme—no need to reinvent the wheel!
2. Gather Hands-On Materials 🎨
Next, I gather all the supplies we’ll need to bring the learning to life. This could include:
Craft items (glue, felt, watercolor paper, recyclables)
Nature items (leaves, sticks, pinecones if we’re learning about trees or seasons)
Learning tools (magnifying glass, globe, measuring cups, etc.)
Printable resources I’ve made or downloaded
I like to keep these materials in a dedicated bin or basket that’s easy to access so I’m not scrambling mid-week.
3. Rough Weekly Outline
I break the unit into a 2-4 week loose structure, depending on how deep we want to dive. I ask myself:
What topics or sub-themes do I want to cover each week?
Are there any field trips, nature walks, or kitchen activities that align with the theme?
What are some key books or stories I want to focus on each week?
This is not a strict plan. It’s a guidepost—more of a “flow” than a fixed schedule.
4. Theme-Based Activities for Each Week
Once I have the books and materials, I jot down 3–5 ideas per week that align with the theme. These could be:
Art projects
Science experiments
Simple writing prompts
Sensory play or invitations to explore
Music or movement activities (hello dance parties!)
Some weeks we do them all. Other weeks, we follow curiosity and do none. And that’s okay.
If you are lost on what to learn about I have an entire list of over 100+ themes HERE
5. Display and Set the Tone
I like to set out a few items on a shelf & decorate our learning space area with what we’re learning. It might be a few books, a themed toy, a sensory bin, or a nature find. This low-pressure display helps build natural curiosity and excitement.
My Best Advice? Keep It Light + Flexible.
Unit studies can be beautiful and enriching—but they shouldn’t stress you out!!! Some of our most meaningful learning comes from spontaneous questions, nature walks, or rabbit trails we didn’t plan for.
By prepping with intention but leaving room for flexibility, our homeschool stays joyful, creative, and aligned with our family’s rhythm.