Creating Cross-Curricular Thematic Lessons

John D. Green

Connected Classroom Conference

Chicago, IL

March 28-30, 2001

 

Ten Key Reasons to Use Thematic Units

1. Increases Effective Use of Computers and Technology

2. Intertwines the Curriculum

3. Demonstrates and Practices the Interdisciplinary Nature of Learning

4. Increases Student Interest in Learning

·       Pride becomes Visible

·       “Ownership of Learning”

5. Expands you Assessment Strategies

·       Performance Based Assessments

·       Portfolio/Display Assessments

6. Utilizes Collaborative and Cooperative Learning

·       Within your classroom and/or grade level

·       Collaborate and complete tasks with other Grade Levels

7. Focuses the Learner on the Mastery of Objectives

8. Integrates Technology Tools into Creative Activities

·       Word Processing Skills

·       Presentation Software

·       Spread Sheets

·       Databases

·       Web page Programs

9. Models for Students the Resources Used in Research

10. Can Safely Control Web Access for Students

 

 

Creating a Thematic Unit

1. Examine, Brainstorm, and Select Themes

• Make lists of possible themes, using

ü      curriculum guides

ü      Internet Sites

ü      textbooks

ü      interest inventories from students and community

ü      other teachers

ü      other sources

2. Identify the Most Important Content Area Concepts

• Brainstorm ideas for themes

ü      discuss themes

ü      elaborate on topics and subtopics

ü      eliminate some topics as less useful, less important, less interesting

• Divide into subtopics
• Develop subtopics
• Evaluate subtopics

3. Identify the Skills to be Emphasized

• Write objectives 

ü      by grade/age level

ü      per content area

ü      language/literacy proficiency

ü      technology use

ü      other identified needs

• Incorporate content into thematic unit

ü      examine State, Local, and National Standards & Curriculum

ü      examine curriculum guides and textbooks

ü      examine scope and sequence charts/lists

ü      basic skills and language skills

ü      other sources

• Develop a hierarchy of concepts and skills to be covered

ü      prioritize objectives

ü      examine review procedures for previous and subsequent units

4. Identify Teaching Strategies & Activities

• Select teaching strategies appropriate for

ü      grade/age level

ü      content

ü      language and cognitive development

ü      cultural and ethnic background

• Identify Whole Language & Constructivism methods for thematic teaching i.e. Cooperative Learning

5. Gather Materials

• Brainstorm/Determine materials which best exemplify concepts
• Select from a wide range of materials

ü      textbooks

ü      Internet Resources

ü      library books (at a variety of levels)

ü      magazines and newspapers

ü      audiovisual materials (Video Clips and Cassette Tapes)

ü      guest speakers

ü      Field Trips

ü      other sources

• Only Purchase thematic pre-made materials as a last resort!!!!
• Develop a system to share materials such as creating a website

6. Write Lesson Plans/Unit Plan

• Develop plans that incorporate the:

ü      concepts

ü      skills

ü      constructivist & whole-language teaching strategies

ü      various materials

ü      informal and formal assessment activities

• Apply taxonomy of instructional questions/structures (e.g. Bloom, Hunter)
• Develop lesson-cycle structures such as

ü      Theme

ü      Focus & Goal of Unit

ü      Day & Discipline

ü      Teaching Objective(s)

ü      Materials

ü      Other Sources

ü      Student Expectations/Goals

ü      Presentation Strategies & Activities

ü      Guided Practice Activities

ü      Independent Practice Activities

ü      Self-selected Activities

ü      Enrichment Activities

ü      Review/Reteach Activities

ü      Assessment/Evaluation

 

 

 

Web Sites for Planning & Implementing Thematic Units

 

 

Web Site	URL
Thematic Units For Primary Grades	http://www.libsci.sc.edu/miller/Unitlink.htm
Enhancing Thematic Units with Technology: Examples of Software and Web Sites	http://www.ed.sc.edu/caw/theme.html#vol
Early Childhood Thematic Units	http://www.sbcss.k12.ca.us/sbcss/specialeducation/ecthematic/index.html
A to Z Theme Pages	http://atozteacherstuff.com/themes/
Lesson Plan Search	http://lessonplansearch.com/Thematic_Units/
ProTeacher Themes/Lessons by Topic	http://www.proteacher.com/020010.shtml
LessonPlanZ	http://lessonplanz.com/Lesson_Plans/Thematic_Units/
Grades 3 - 5 Thematic Units	http://www.okaloosa.k12.fl.us/technology/training/tools/elem/3-5.htm
Lesson Planet	http://www.lessonplanet.com/search/Thematic_Units/
EduHound	http://www.eduhound.com/
Hewitt's Index of Best webquests and Resources	http://www.davison.k12.mi.us/academic/hewitt14.htm