I’ve collected 26 resources (paid and free) to help you build out your unit studies for September.

Most of these products are from homeschool moms/business owners!

I’ve also added some book recommendations, because what’s a unit study without some books?

Here are my top 5 art-inspired unit study ideas for older homeschooled kids that’ll inspire learning this September!

Use all the recommended resources in a unit study, or pick and choose to customize your own.

This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase from some of these links, I may receive a small commission.

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My 5 Unit Study Picks (ages 7-12)

🦊 Fox Unit Studies 🦊

Spark learning inspiration with a study of the clever fox. Your kids that love animals will run to the table to learn with this unit study!

BUILD YOUR OWN UNIT STUDY

🦊 Fox Adaptations Project (STEAM, Science, Art, ELA) by ARTventurous Animals

🦊 Fox Directed Drawing (Art, Drawing) by ARTventurous Animals

🦊 Arctic Fox Comic-Style Report (ELA, Writing, Research, Art) by Heather Huhman

🦊 Squishmallow Drawing Class! Ages 5-10 -Self Paced Art Course (Art, Tech) by Mrs. Shelby on Outschool

FULL UNIT STUDy

🦊 Fox Unit Study (Zoology, Science, Research, ELA, Writing, Critical Thinking) by CraftsFunandLearning

BOOK RECS

🦊 Fox: A Circle of Life Story by Isabel Thomas

“In the frost-covered forest of early spring, fox is on a mission to find food for her three cubs. As they grow, she teaches them how to survive in the wild. Until one day, fox dies. Her body goes back to earth and grass and air, nourishing the world around her and bringing the forest to life. Death is not just an end, it’s also a beginning.”

-Amazon description

🦊 Pax by Sara Pennypacker

“From bestselling and award-winning author Sara Pennypacker comes a beautifully wrought, utterly compelling novel about the powerful relationship between a boy and his fox. Pax is destined to become a classic, beloved for generations to come. 

Pax and Peter have been inseparable ever since Peter rescued him as a kit. But one day, the unimaginable happens: Peter's dad enlists in the military and makes him return the fox to the wild.” -Amazon description

🦊 Friends of the Forest by Linda Blackmoor

“"Friends of the Forest" is a mesmerizing journey through the lush expanses of North American forests, presented in a tapestry of vivid, colorful artwork and enchanting poetry that will captivate children and adults alike. Each page turns to reveal one of 26 beloved woodland creatures, brought to life in exquisite detail and accompanied by whimsical verses that weave together education and wonder. This beautifully crafted picture book invites young readers and their families to explore the hidden nooks of the forest, fostering a deep appreciation for the natural world and its inhabitants.” -Amazon description

🍂 Autumn Unit Studies 🍂

Step into the changing season of fall with these beautiful unit studies.

BUILD YOUR OWN UNIT STUDY

🍂 Step-by-Step Informative Writing | Fall and Autumn Writing Prompts (Writing, ELA, Reading, Critical Thinking) by Heather Huhman

🍂 Art Explorers! Fall Series Self-Paced Classes (Art, Seasonal) by Gerri Tumblin on Outschool

🍂 Free Food Web Digital Game (Science, Fall, Tech) by ARTventurous Animals

🍂 Cake Mix Magic: A Taste of Fall Self-paced Course (Baking, Seasonal, Critical Thinking) by Hub of Curiosity on Outschool

FULL UNIT STUDy

🍂 Life Science Unit Study (Fall, STEAM, Zoology, Environment, ELA, Art, Construction, Tech) by ARTventurous Animals

BOOK RECS

🍂 The Fall of Freddie the Leaf: A Story of Life for All Ages by Leo Buscaglia

“The beloved classic from New York Times bestselling author Leo Buscaglia that has helped thousands of children and adults come to grips with life and death—a warm, wonderfully wise, and strikingly simple story about a leaf named Freddie.”

-Amazon description

🍂 Why Do Leaves Change Color? by Terry Allan Hicks

“Gr 2-5-These titles have clear explanations of natural phenomena, beautiful full-color illustrations, and an uncluttered design. Each book approaches its topic in a methodical, logical fashion, using examples from a child's world.”

-Amazon description

🍂 Learn Trees and Their Leaves: Educational Coloring and Herbarium Book by Natalya Jame

“48 pages coloring book with illustrations of different types of leaves along with the tree names. In the process of coloring, children will learn the names of various trees and will be able to recognize their leaves. In addition to the coloring pages, the book contains additional pages for the herbarium.” -Amazon description

🧚 Fairy Unit Studies 🧚

Dive into the magical small world of fairies with these unit study picks!

BUILD YOUR OWN UNIT STUDY

🧚 Fairy Garden Design and Decor Self-Paced Class (Art, Design, Construction) by Amanda Bestor on Outschool

🧚 Create a 3D Fairy House: Geometry Math Project (Math, Engineering, Art, Design) by Enhancing Enrichment

🧚 Fairy Kids Coloring Pages (Art, Imagination) by drawingluck

Click the image below!

FULL UNIT STUDY

🧚 Fairy Lore of the World: A Multicultural STEM unit (ELA, Journaling, STEM, Geography, Social Studies) by LittleWorldWanderers

BOOK RECS

🧚 Fairies of the Forest by Linda Blackmoor

“In "Fairies of the Forest," Linda Blackmoor weaves a mesmerizing tapestry of verse and color that invites young readers into the heart of the enchanted woods. With each turn of the page, a new fairy emerges, embodying the spirit and beauty of the forest's myriad elements. From the whispering ferns that unfurl in the dewy morning light, to the mysterious animals that roam the twilight glades; from the silvery moon that bathes the world in a gentle glow, to the humble mushrooms that dot the earthy floor—every element of the forest comes to life, animated by its own unique fairy.” -Amazon description

🧚 A Natural History of Fairies (Folklore Field Guides) by Emily Hawkins and Jessica Roux

“This enchantingly illustrated natural history of fairies, compiled in the 1920s by the botanist Professor Elsie Arbour for her niece, is now unveiled for readers of today.

Featuring a gold foil–embossed cloth cover, a ribbon marker, and sprayed gold edges, this gorgeous volume is filled with colorful sketches and precise notes detailing the secret life of fairies and their important role in the natural world.”

-Amazon Description

🧚 Betty Bib's Fairy Handbook: A Field Guide to Fairies And Their Habitats by Betty Bib and Lesley Buckingham

“Provides information on fairies, such as where they sleep, what kinds there are, where they live, and how to attract them.” -Amazon description

🦫 Animal Homes Unit Studies 🦫

Nests, wardens, lodges, hives—there are so many interesting places that animals live! Explore through this animal unit study.

BUILD YOUR OWN UNIT STUDY

🦫 Free Animal Homes Color and Match (Science, Puzzle, Art) by Planet Designs

🦫 Animal Art Journal (Art, Zoology, Geography, Writing) by ARTventurous Animals

🦫 Travel Art Membership for Kids: Animal Art Projects (Art, Zoology, Geography, STEAM) by ARTventurous Animals

🦫 EdZOOcating Adventures Membership (Science, Zoology, STEAM) by EdZOOcating

🦫 Honeybee Art Journal (Art, Science, Zoology) by ARTventurous Animals

🦫 Animal Research Project-Based Learning (Zoology, Research, Art, ELA) by Heather Huhman

Full Unit Study

🦫 Animal Homes Unit Study (Zoology, Handwriting, Nature, ELA, Science, Reading) by FunMomPrintables

BOOK RECS

🦫 We Build Our Homes by Laura Knowles

“It’s not only humans who can build incredible around the world, mammals, birds and insects can be found building incredible things. From big beaver dams to tiny caddisfly cases, this beautifully illustrated picture book explores each animal’s incredible home and uncovers the reasons why they build. Featuring 26 creatures from around the world , each amazing animal architect tells its own 'micro story' about its impressive architectural skills in this delightfully unique wildlife book.”

-Amazon description

🦫 Habitats: From Ocean Trench to Tropical Forest by DK

“Celebrates and explains the astonishing range of habitats on Earth and the intricate balance of their animal and plant communities

This book is a beautiful visual reference to the world’s natural habitats and the plants and animals that live there. It explores global habitat types, including desert, Arctic tundra, and tropical forest – and distinctive regional habitats, such as the windswept puna grasslands of the Andes or the dripping, fern-clad rainforests of New Zealand.”

-Amazon description

🦫 If Animals Built Your House by Bill Wise and Rebecca Evans

“Explore animal habitats how they engineer their homes in this beautifully illustrated STEM book for kids. Filled with imaginative questions, animal facts, and educational backmatter, If Animals Built Your House is perfect for your elementary classroom or family library.” -Amazon description

🍎 Apple Unit Studies 🍎

This feel-good, seasonal unit study is a great way to celebrate the season while learning all about apples.

BUILD YOUR OWN UNIT STUDY

🍎 Learn to Make Easy Caramel Apple Cake (Cooking, Critical Thinking, Life Skills) by Kristy Stille on Outschool

🍎 MULTIPLICATION Apple Activities | Fall Math Games (Math, Art, Critical Thinking) by HoJo’s Teaching Adventures

🍎 Apple Writing Crafts and Story Publishing Papers (ELA, Writing, Research, Art) by Linda Kamp

🍎 Fall Art Projects: Apple Art Lesson (Art, Design, Pattern, Writing) by Glitter Meets Glue

Click the image below!

FULL UNIT STUDY

🍎 Apple Unit Study (Science, Botany, Math, ELA) by RikiTikiArt

BOOK RECS

🍎 Apples!: A My Incredible World Picture Book for Children by Hope Aicher

“Introducing "APPLES!" – a delightful nonfiction children's book that takes young readers on an exciting journey through the world of apples! Packed with over 20 vibrant full-color photos, this book is a visual feast that captures the beauty and diversity of these delicious fruits.” -Amazon description

🍎 An Apple Tree's Life Cycle (Explore Life Cycles) by Mary R. Dunn

“The process of a new life starting is fascinating! Watch an apple tree grow from a seed to a fruit-bearing tree. Young readers will learn about the stages in an apple tree's life, as well as it's appearance. The life cycle of an apple tree is a beautiful thing to see!” -Amazon description

🍎 Apples to Oregon: Being the (Slightly) True Narrative of How a Brave Pioneer Father Brought Apples, Peaches, Pears, Plums, Grapes, and Cherries (and Children) Across the Plains by Deborah Hopkinson and Nancy Carpenter

“Apples, ho!

When Papa decides to pull up roots and move from Iowa to Oregon, he can’t bear to leave his precious apple trees behind. Or his peaches, plums, grapes, cherries, and pears. Oh, and he takes his family along too.

But the trail is cruel. First there’s a river to cross that’s wider than Texas, then there are hailstones as big as plums, and then there’s even a drought, sure to crisp the cherries.” -Amazon description

Check out the my other monthly unit study picks!

Let me know in the comments below if you try out any of these unit studies!

Got your own educational resources that would fit into these unit studies?

Email me at artventurousanimals@gmail.com and let me know your suggestions!

Thanks for being a part of this adventure!