Follow Their Interests, Build Their Learning

Unit studies are a flexible, interest-led way to weave subjects together around a single theme – perfect for curious minds and neurodivergent learners who thrive on deep dives.

Explore Engaging Unit Studies for Neurodivergent Homeschoolers

If your child light ups when learning about planes, history, or nature you might want to try unit studies. Unit studies combine hands-on projects, creative thinking, and flexible options. This allows neurodivergent kids to follow their interests and stay engaged with their learning.

Instead of separating subjects, unit studies weave them together through a central theme. For example, your child might explore a veggie garden, a historical event, or a faraway country. Along the way, they’ll learn science, reading, art, and more – all in one connected experience. You can keep a unit short or stretch it out over months. Either way, your child sets the pace, learns deeply, and builds real confidence.

Close-up of a biodegradable seedling pot with a small green sprout emerging from the soil, labeled “Dwarf Snow Pea” on a wooden stick marked with the date "2/6". Other seedlings and pots are blurred in the garden background.

Design Your Own Unit Study

You can transform your homeschool by designing your own unit study. This is especially useful when your neurodivergent kids thrive on interest-led, adaptable learning. Start with something your child is genuinely curious about. For example, when my younger son was deeply into cars, I created a unit study called “Carmakers from Around the Globe”. I used that theme to naturally weave learning across multiple subject areas.

We explored geography by mapping manufacturer locations. Then connected with history by adding key automotive milestones to a timeline. Finally we dove into science through hands-on projects like building an electric motor. Unit studies like this offer the kind of flexibility and creativity that homeschooling often calls for – particularly with neurodivergent learners. Following their interests not only boosts engagement but turns learning into something joyful and self-directed.

Harbor + Sprout

Immersive, open-ended learning resources for homeschoolers.

I first came across Harbor + Sprout when I found their Engineering unit for primary years, and my youngest son loved it. It perfectly matches his curious, hands-on learning style. Recently, I discovered they also have Engineering and Aviation units for secondary years, so I snapped those up too. I love using their digital resources on a device like an iPad or printing them out. It’s perfect for kids who find handwriting challenging.

Harbor + Sprout offers a flexible curriculum with immersive, hands-on unit studies for all ages. They design their lessons thoughtfully, base them on research, and make them flexible enough to fit a wide range of learning styles. This ensures they are a great option for families looking to keep learning engaging and meaningful.

The Little School of Smiths

The Little School of Smiths has an incredible Around the World Studies section. Packed with ideas and resources for global learning. They’ve even put together a Master Blog List that pulls everything into one place. This includes country blog posts, resources, science biome studies, and more. It’s super convenient for planning your next unit study.

Although aimed at slightly younger kids, there’s plenty of inspiration and material that can be adapted for older learners. For example, I would review the resources suggested and adapt for the age of the learners Therefore whether you’re just getting started or looking to add some fresh ideas to your current studies, this list is a great resource.

In addition, if you’re keen to explore our part of the world, be sure to check out their Australia section. It’s perfect for learning more about our own stomping ground!

Traveling the World – A Hands-On Global Adventure

I’ve just picked up Traveling the World from The Waldock Way, and I’m excited to dive into it with my youngest. It’s a comprehensive, digital curriculum that’s perfect for families wanting to bring geography to life through hands-on learning. It covers 30 countries across six continents, making it a fantastic option for all ages.

Countries Covered
Africa: Egypt, Mali, Morocco, Nigeria, Tanzania, South Africa.
Asia: China, Japan, India, Israel, Thailand.
Europe: England, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Russia, Spain, Sweden.
Oceania: Australia, Fiji, New Zealand.
North America: Canada, Mexico, United States.
South America: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru.

Teacher’s Manual
Book lists to guide your reading.
Game ideas and hands-on activities.
Recipes for exploring global cuisine.
Links and QR codes to curated YouTube playlists.

Student Notebook
Mapping activities and global tales for each continent.
Country pages with flags, maps, and profiles.
Animal profile pages with fascinating facts and images.

Animal Profiles
High-quality photos and fun facts.
Scientific names, adaptations, predators, and prey for each featured animal.

Game Pack
Memory, Bingo, Top Trumps, and Matching games – perfect for reinforcing what you’ve learned. through play

Extra Resources
Postcards, snapshot templates, landmark building cards, and report templates for creative projects and deeper exploration.

I can’t wait to get started on this with my youngest, creating a whole year of memorable, hands-on learning. If you’re looking for a flexible, all-in-one approach to world studies, this might be just what you need.

Simply Homeschool – Unit Studies

Simply Homeschool offers a flexible, Australian-based approach to learning, with over 80 core unit studies included in their monthly membership. These units cover a wide range of topics and are designed to align with the Australian curriculum. Thus making it easy for families to dip in and out of different subjects as their children’s interests change.

Why I Like This Approach
Variety: Over 80 unit studies to choose from, covering everything from science and history to creative arts.

Flexibility: Add or remove units as needed, without being locked into long-term commitments.

Hands-On Learning: Many units include hands-on projects and experiments to keep kids engaged.

All Ages Welcome: Units can be adapted for different age groups, so the whole family can learn together.

Easy Record-Keeping: Built-in tools for tracking progress, perfect for meeting reporting requirements.

If you like a bit of flexibility in your homeschool and enjoy following your kids’ interests, this might be a great fit.