How to Submit a Unit (or Lapbook) to HSS

All titles must be approved by HSS staff.  Please contact us before you write your unit to make sure that the unit suits the purposes of Homeschool Share.  Thank you!

1) Please type your unit into a word processor or HTML program. We can take documents from programs such as Word, Works, WordPerfect, OpenOffice, etc. Another alternative is to simply type the entire unit into an email message.

2) Review your unit to see if it meets our "ideal" unit (see below).

3) Please be sure your unit includes the title and author, your name (as well as email address if you wish that to be located on the document).

4) Contact us and let us know that you have it ready.

5) Please note that all submitted units are subject to approval. Material you send may be edited by HSS; we may ask you to revise or add to what you have written.

6) While it's not mandatory, it is helpful if your unit is written in Arial Font 11 pt.  It is also helpful if you don't center anything or do any formatting yourself (such as adding space, adding bullets, bold, underline [with the exception of book titles within your study], or using the tab key--PLAIN is the easiest for us to work with).   Also, it's really nice of you to go ahead and run the spell check for us.

Basic Guidelines for any HSS Unit

1) The book should be a really good children's book that has educational value. Ideally, a "living book." What is a living book? One that thrills your heart, one that the children beg "Please just one more page" if you should stop in middle of it, one where you lose yourself in the story and the time period, one that when you are done you wish there were more to read.

2) Your unit should not be dependent on web pages. While it's wonderful that you refer to various web pages, please keep in mind that pages are deleted daily from the web. Some parents may be printing these lessons off at the library and may not have time to peruse the web looking for information. So, please do not make your lessons dependent on reading a certain webpage. Instead "flesh out" the lesson, by summarizing information, so that a parent can do the lesson without even reading a website.

For example, please do NOT do this:

Science: Animal Classification: Discuss www.somewebpage.com with your child.

Instead, type out an actual lesson on animal classification, and then offer a website (or a couple) for more information or a website with a worksheet that might enhance the lesson.  However, if you have a topic of research to go-along with your unit, but you don't have time to research it yourself, please include your idea (just don't count it as one of the 8 min. lessons).  For example, "your older student may enjoy researching Eric the Red..."

Level B & C Picture Book Units

A full unit should contain 1 to 5 different lessons per the following subjects with a minimum of 8 lessons total:

Social Studies (includes history, geography, cultures, holidays and traditions, occupations, issues of human relationships, etc.)
Language Arts (including vocabulary, writing, grammar, punctuation, literary devices, parts of a story, genre, ideas for copywork, etc.)
Art (great artist tie-in, art in the style of the illustrator, medium used, art technique, music lesson, etc.)
Math (applied math, everyday math)
Science

A Bible application or character study lesson is also appreciated. If you have fun things to do along with the unit, those may be added to a "Just for Fun" section at the end. (This can include a recipe, websites, a list of books with authors that would make good go-alongs, etc.)

Level C Picture Book Units are similar to Level B, but they should contain a minimum of 16-20 lessons.  These units are meant to be used with older children and to potentially be used for two weeks (instead of the traditional one week with Level B).   These books will probably be longer and meatier in subject matter. 

Special Guidelines for Chapter Book Units

It is almost impossible for us to set concrete guidelines for a chapter book due to the many variables (length of book, topics presented in book, length of chapters, etc.).  Please remember that your lessons need to be fleshed out and complete (background information and research should already be present for the majority of your lessons).  The lessons should be plentiful (teachers and students should have a variety of lessons to pick and choose from).  If you would like, you may submit a rough outline for approval once you know which direction(s) you will go with your unit.

For an example of what we consider an excellent chapter book unit study, please view Homeschool Share's unit for Stuart Little.

Special Guidelines for Multi-book Theme Units

Unit focuses on a minimum of three core books (all books need to be approved by HSS staff)
The majority of the lessons should directly tie to the books.
Multi-book units should have a minimum of twelve lessons.
Lessons should be completely fleshed out (researched and background information provided as applicable).

Level B & C Lapbooks

Lapbooks at HSS should be based on living books as much as possible.  Sometimes, a student has the desire to study a topical subject.  We will consider those lapbooks on a case-by-case basis.  Please contact us if you aren't sure about a topical lapbook you are working on.   If research is necessary to complete your lapbook, the research must be provided (paraphrased in your own words and sourced when necessary).

General Guidelines for Lapbooks
1.  Images must be copyright free.  Images from Microsoft, WP, and other free sources are acceptable.  If you can't find what you are looking for, contact us, and we can help you. 
2.  Images should be clean-looking (not pixelated or distorted).  
3.  Lapbook should include a minimum of twelve minit books .   If you need help thinking of some ideas, we will try to help with the brainstorming process. 
4. Books should include instructions for cutting/folding.

Animal Studies With Lapbooks

Submit research and lessons (written in your own words) from a variety of sources.  Minimum of ten lessons.  
Should include a library list of fiction and nonfiction books that can also be used to go-along and enhance the lessons/lapbook experience.
There should be a minimum of ten minit books that go with the lessons.   Please see lapbook guidelines in order to understand the expectations for the minit books.

Examples of Animal Studies

Preschool Units

Unit must include a minimum of eight activities for learning and enrichment appropriate for preschoolers
"Lessons" must be directly linked to and inspired by the literature
"Lessons" must be completely fleshed out so that a homeschooling teacher can pick up and go without having to do additional research
Web links aren't necessary, but can be added to enhance a lesson

Preschool Lapbook Guidelines

Images must be copyright free
Images should be clean-looking
Lapbook should include eight or more minit books with instructions for cutting/folding
Lessons should be included when necessary for understanding the activity
Any research necessary for completion of the lapbook should be written up (in your own words) and submitted as well

File Folder Game Guidelines

Images must be copyright free
Images should be clean-looking
Should include clear instructions for assembly as well as play

Thanks so much for your interest in Homeschool Share!  It's people like you who are making this site a success! 

And now back to our own unit-study-writing, lapbook-making, and homeschooling!
Ami, Celia, & Wende

Materials and information on this website belong to the original composers. It may be used for your own personal and school use. 

Material may not be used for resale.  © 2005-08 HSS