Unit Study Portfolio

* Units can be hand bound following included instructions, spiral or comb bound, or bound using the Unit Study Portfolio 3-ring Binder.

History Portfolio Unit Contents

1) Each unit includes two sets of uniquely designed notebooking pages – appropriate for ages 5-9, and ages 9 and up. Each level is specially designed, but each set includes Text Boxes and Image Boxes perfect for writen work and accompanying illustrations.

2) Each unit includes two sets of Teacher’s Guide materials – appropriate for ages 5-9, and ages 9 and up. Each TG set includes suggestions for what to put into each and every Text and Image Box, plus numerous cut-and-paste components such as images, diagrams, and puzzles.

3) Each unit includes one or more black-line maps, integrated into the notebooking pages, plus all corresponding full color reference maps.

PLUS – Each Unit contains numerous templated lined pages, for narrations and reports, designed to fit within text fields on each notebooking page.

History Portfolio Unit Study Approach

Working through a History Portfolio Unit will involve an inquiry-based approach, including multi-level and age appropriate research and writing. Initially, the research process will be modeled by the parent, and research materials will be read aloud. However, bit by bit the student can be encouraged to take over the process of research by referencing multiple sources of information.

Working through a unit will also employ the notebooking approach involving hands-on activities. By researching using multiple sources, and then adding various reports, maps, images, definitions, etc. to the notebooking pages, information is synthesized and transformed into a comprehensible story, presented in a format that is accessible by others.

For a full description of how the inquiry-based and notebooking approaches are seamlessly merged, visit this page.

As you work through a unit, count on being engaged in a multidisciplinary experience, exploring beyond names, dates, and events, and venturing into the artistic, scientific, technological, political, and cultural characteristics that bring three-dimensionality to each topic or unit.

The Benefits of Using the History Portfolio Units

1) By using the History Portfolio Units, students will incrementally engage in the process of research through locating and collecting information from various sources;

2) By providing frequent writing and illustrating opportunities, students are challenged to synthesize information gleaned through their research;

3) By building the pages of the Unit Study Portfolio, students will ultimately possess evidence of their self-directed study and be able to share their work with others.

History Portfolio Units are Perfect for . . .

. . . families who prefer the flexibility of short term units chosen according to interest or along a certain theme.

. . . students who have already completed a 4 year history cycle, but want to revisit certain topics in greater depth.

. . . parents/teachers who need a robust, multi-level, unit or set of units for a 6 or 12 week class.

. . . families who want to sample the History Portfolio books to see what they are all about.