Teaching Thematically To Increase Academic Learning
Integrating curriculum through thematic teaching not only makes teaching more exiting for the teacher, it makes the learning more meaningful for students! Additionally, teaching thematically makes practicing academic skills to mastery more enjoyable. After all, the typical practice time for a student to acquire a skill is 25 times. For ELL and other learners that number can be as large as 25X25. Thematic teaching takes care of that large equation by allowing for the same game in many different formats and themes.
Thematic instruction is based on the research that people acquire knowledge best when it is presented in a "whole" logical context that is linked to real life. If you haven't tried the thematic style of teaching, maybe it is time to give it a try.
To teach thematically, the first thing to do is to choose a theme. It is best to being with a theme that is connected to your students everyday life. I would suggest starting with a simple theme that has many supporting books and materials such as apples or pumpkins.
Each of our thematic units contains a planning sheet.
Objective: Identifying numerals.
Common Core K.CC. Know number names.
This planner allows you to quickly see the cross-curricular activities that are at your disposal as well as books that you can find to compliment your unit.
The games are scripted for easy use, and can easily be used at independent centers after initial play. Here are a couple of the games you will find in this unit.
Objective: Producing rhyming words.
Common Core Objective RF.K.2.A. Recognize and produce rhyming words.
Each of the songs/fingerplays that are included in the unit come ready for you to print as is, or to print as full-size posters for use in your whole group settings. I love to do these songs as I introduce my students to poetry. We then add some of our favorites to our poetry notebook. You can grab this poster and download it to your desktop to get started now!
You can pick up this unit or any of our other 60+ units at our Teachers Pay Teachers store here.
Or you can get the unit below along with it's companion guided reader packet at our Kindergarten Kiosk Store. (Remember the guided reader mentioned on the planning sheet is included in the unit. The remaining readers will simply round off this great thematic study.
Also available at Teachers Pay Teachers!
Product Description
Apples Anyone?
This apple thematic unit is strategically linked to core standards and will connect all areas of your curriculum. Apples Yum!
Table of Contents
Shared Reading Lessons:
And Apple is its Name Oh: Enjoying Songs & Poetry
Way Up High in the Apple Tree: Enjoying Songs & Poetry
Yummy Apples: Word Substitution
Apple Flashcards
Literacy Activities
ABC Apple Orchard: Identifying Alphabet Letters
Apple Tree Rhymes: Producing Rhyming Words
Eating Apples: Identifying Beginning Sounds
Color Word Worms: Matching and Writing Color Words
ABC Apple Trace: Tracing Alphabet Letters
Math Activities
Willy the Wandering Worm: Identifying Numbers
Apple Number Memory: Matching Numbers
Bobbing For Apples: Working with 5-Frames
Math Journal Sticker: Draw an Apple Story
Writing
Apple Wordwall (Beautiful Realistic Photographs)
Apple Parts: Labeling Activity
The Way I Like Apples
Johnny Appleseed
Guided Reading Books
I like Apples
Apples Guided Reading Supports
Science
Apple Report: Scientific Processes
Apple Taste Test: Making Comparisons and Recording Data
Apple Life Cycle: Portfolio Sample
Art Projects
Apple Tree Art
Apple Mosaic
Apple Prints
Songs/Fingerplays
Eating Apples (Be careful, this one will not leave your brain)
Five Little Apples
Have You Ever Seen An Apple
The Apple Tree
Apples
Applesauce
Apple and Pumpkin Themed Guided Readers
Apple Experiment Science Guided Reader
Eating Apples Free Beginning Sound Game
Also available at Teachers Pay Teachers!
Apples and Pumpkin Themed Emergent Books
Thematic emergent reading books make learning to read fun and engaging! Kids LOVE this paper fall themed books!
Offering students a paper book that can be colored and taken home offers students authentic purpose for the guided reading instruction and opportunity to practice techniques at home.
Table of Contents:
1. Apples
2. The Pumpkin Cycle
3. Pumpkin Colors
4. Pumpkin Patch
5. Apple Picking Time
6. The Apple Experiment
Also available at Teachers Pay Teachers!
Bring some science fun into your guided reading! Students love to complete the experiment as they read their own adorable little reader.