Our Homeschool Unit Study Picks (2026–2027): Why They Simplify Our Homeschool

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Looking for homeschool unit study ideas? I’m sharing our 2026–2027 homeschool curriculum choices and why unit studies have simplified our homeschool.

I think most homeschool moms are making this harder than it has to be. If there’s one decision that has completely changed our homeschool, it’s embracing the homeschool unit study approach.

After a couple of years of trying different homeschool methods, I’ve realized that our family doesn’t need more curriculum—we need the right curriculum. This our third year where we have intentionally built our homeschool around unit studies. It’s completely shifted our homeschool to become more joyful and curiosity-focused.

Of course, we still use a separate math and language arts curriculum, but our unit studies have become the heart of our homeschool. They bring history, science, geography, writing, art, and meaningful discussions together in a way that works beautifully for our family.

Today I’m sharing the seven unit studies we’ll be using during the 2026–2027 school year, why we chose each one, and how this approach has helped simplify homeschooling with five boys. If you need a more simplified homeschool approach, stick around; I think you may have just found your answer. Welcome to Healing Home. I hope you are encouraged and inspired by your time here.

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What Is a Homeschool Unit Study?

If you’re new to the unit study approach, a homeschool unit study simply takes one central theme and weaves multiple subject areas together around it. Instead of teaching science, history, language arts, art, geography, and writing as completely separate subjects, everything connects through one topic.

We still use a separate math curriculum and language arts curriculum in our homeschool, but unit studies have become the heart of everything else we do.

One of my favorite things about homeschool unit studies is that children of different ages can learn together. While each child completes work at their own level, we’re all discussing the same ideas around the table. It creates wonderful family conversations and makes homeschooling feel much less divided.

We primarily use Gather ‘Round Homeschool unit studies. I value them as a company because of their emphasis on a Christian worldview and integrating Biblical faith throughout each lesson.

How We Chose Our Unit Studies This Year

One of my favorite parts of planning our homeschool each year is choosing our unit studies together as a family.

Our homeschool has a bit of an unschooling bent, but probably not in the way many people think. I truly believe that curiosity is one of the greatest motivators for learning, so I want my boys to have a voice in what we study. At the same time, I also believe children benefit from gentle guidance and a broad education. Instead of letting them choose absolutely anything, I narrow the options down to a dozen or so unit studies that I know would all be a good fit for our family.

Once I’ve made my list, I print off the covers of each unit study and spread them across our dining room table. Then comes the fun part.

This year, everyone received ten counting chips to use as votes. Each of my boys carefully decided which topics they were most excited about and placed their chips on their favorite unit studies. Since my husband and my parents are all involved in our homeschool throughout the year, they each got to vote as well. I wanted everyone to have a voice in shaping our school year.

It was so much fun to watch their personalities come out. Some of the boys immediately put all of their chips on one favorite topic, while others spread their votes around. There was plenty of negotiating, convincing, and excited conversations as everyone tried to persuade each other that their favorite unit study deserved more votes.

When all the counting chips had been placed, we tallied everything up and our homeschool year practically planned itself.

I love this process because it strikes a balance between following my children’s interests and providing the gentle direction I believe they still need. They feel heard and invested in what we’re learning, and I have confidence that we’re still building a well-rounded education.

By the end, we didn’t just have a curriculum plan—we had a homeschool year that our whole family was genuinely excited about.

Note on additional curriculum. I just want to emphasize again that I am not summarizing everything we are doing in this blog post and video. These are just our unit studies, which are the heart of our homeschool. We will also be doing a math program, language arts program, I’ll probably be incorporating some sort of Bible verse copywork, and we will be doing lots of read-alouds to pair with the theme of our unit studies.

Living Off the Land

We’re kicking off our school year with Living Off the Land, and I honestly can’t imagine a better way to begin.

This unit focuses on practical life skills and gives us the opportunity to step back in time and explore how early settlers lived without many of the modern conveniences we rely on today. I love that it combines history with practical application, making learning feel incredibly relevant.

I’m especially excited to make butter with the boys, roll beeswax candles, and possibly sew aprons together. Since Legos are currently a huge interest in our house, I also found a pioneer covered wagon Lego set for my older boys to build while we work through the unit. I think we’re also going to do a western stage coach even though that one doesn’t quite fit with the unit theme. I love finding creative ways to connect our homeschool lessons with the interests they’re already passionate about.

Transportation

Out of every homeschool unit study we considered, this was the only one that every single one of my boys voted for.

That probably isn’t surprising considering our current obsession with dirt bikes!

Transportation explores everything from engines and hydraulics to history, science, circuits, and engineering. It also includes practical life skills, which is something I always appreciate.

I’m especially hoping to involve my dad during this unit. He’s incredibly knowledgeable about engines, and I think it would be so much fun for him to teach the boys practical skills like checking tire pressure or even changing the oil on one of our vehicles. Those kinds of real-world learning opportunities often become the lessons our kids remember the longest.

I also just discovered that we have a local military museum that will have its grand opening smack dab in the middle of this unit study, which I am thrilled about. It’s called the Minnesota Military & Veterans Museum, and I think there is going to be so much that is applicable to this unit!

US History 2: Rise to Independence

Last year we completed the first Gather ‘Round United States History unit, and it was really interesting. My oldest loves history, so he’s already gearing up to tell me everything he already knows about this time period.

Naturally, the boys were thrilled to see muskets featured on the cover of this one!

This homeschool unit study takes us through the Revolutionary War, the birth of our nation, and the War of 1812 while continuing to weave history, writing, and discussion together. I appreciate that Gather ‘Round presents history through a Christian worldview while encouraging meaningful conversations about the events that shaped our country.

One of the concerns I’ve heard about teaching history through unit studies is that children don’t always get a linear view of historical events. That’s one reason we’ve chosen to work through Gather ‘Round’s U.S. History series in order over the years. As we add each new time period, the boys naturally begin connecting the events together, giving them both a chronological understanding and a deeper appreciation for the people and stories behind history.

Gifts at the Manger

Every December, I intentionally try to simplify our homeschool.

There are so many wonderful Christmas activities, traditions, and gatherings that I don’t want our homeschool schedule to become another source of stress during an already busy season.

This year we’ll be working through Gifts at the Manger from Not Consumed. Rather than adding another full unit study, I wanted something that would gently draw our hearts back to Christ throughout the Christmas season.

These Bible studies typically take our family about 15–20 minutes each day, which leaves us plenty of time to keep up with reading and math while still enjoying baking cookies, attending Christmas events, and making memories together. We probably won’t complete every lesson exactly as scheduled, and that’s okay. One of the greatest gifts of homeschooling is the flexibility to slow down when life calls for it.

Astronomy

After Christmas, we’ll head into outer space. Astronomy wasn’t at the very top of everyone’s list, but that’s one of the reasons I love our family voting system. My middle boys and my mom were especially excited about this unit, so it earned its place in our homeschool year.

I think it’s healthy for all of us to spend time learning about topics that someone else in the family is passionate about. Not every unit will be everyone’s favorite, but there’s always something new to discover together.

I’m especially looking forward to the conversations about God’s incredible creation and the opportunity to marvel at the vastness of His universe.

Middle Ages

My oldest son was one of the biggest supporters of the Middle Ages unit.

After completing Gather ‘Round’s Viking unit last year, I learned something valuable about our family. We tried to complete both the student notebooks and the optional lapbook, and honestly, it became too much. So my original instinct was to just do the student notebooks, but then my older boys told me how proud they were of their Viking lapbook this past school year, and now I’m sort of reconsidering how we are going to do this unit.

I’m giving myself permission to adapt the curriculum, especially the Gather ‘Round student notebooks, which at times I do think has some elements of busy work to it. I’m strongly considering skipping the student notebooks altogether for this unit and focusing entirely on the lapbook. I think it will allow us to enjoy the material more while still giving the boys plenty of opportunities for hands-on learning.

Sometimes simplifying doesn’t mean buying different curriculum—it simply means using the curriculum you already have in a way that fits your family better.

North American Birds

Our final homeschool unit study of the year was chosen almost entirely because of one very enthusiastic little boy.

Wylder, my little adorable three-year-old, absolutely begged for the North American Birds unit.

How could I say no?

We’ll spend the spring learning about birds, habitats, migration, geography, ecosystems, and even writing a research report together. I have a feeling this will pair beautifully with nature walks, bird watching, and plenty of time outside as the weather begins to warm.

Ending our homeschool year surrounded by God’s creation feels like the perfect way to welcome spring.

Why This Homeschool Unit Study Approach Works for Our Family

Over the years, I’ve realized that unit studies fit our family better than a more traditional homeschool curriculum. They encourage curiosity instead of simply checking boxes. They naturally connect multiple subjects together. They allow children of different ages to learn side by side. They create opportunities for hands-on projects, meaningful discussions, and memorable family experiences.

Most importantly, they remind me that homeschooling isn’t just about completing lesson plans. It’s about cultivating a lifelong love of learning while spending meaningful time together as a family.

Will every homeschool family love unit studies? Probably not. But for us, they’ve simplified our days in the best possible way.

Are You Excited About Your Upcoming School Year?

Every homeschool year looks a little different, and I love that.

As our boys grow, their interests change, our family rhythms shift, and I continue learning what works—and what doesn’t. One of the greatest gifts homeschooling has given me is the freedom to adapt without feeling like I have to recreate someone else’s homeschool.

I’m excited to see where these homeschool unit studies take us this year, from rolling beeswax candles and learning about pioneer life to studying birds in the spring and gazing up at the stars during the long winter months.

If you’re planning your own homeschool year, I’d love to hear from you in the comments. Are you using homeschool unit studies this year? Or is there one topic your children can’t stop talking about that you think deserves a place in your homeschool?

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