So, you have chosen a theme, now what thematic unit materials will you need? How do you decide what materials will you need? Where do you find the materials, you need for your students?
These may be just a couple questions you may have when developing a thematic unit for your students. The materials needed for your chosen theme should be considered. If you are interested in what thematic unit materials you may want to look into, keep reading your questions may be answered for you!
Questions to Ask
Here are some questions to consider when thinking about the materials you will need while developing a unit of study.
- What is it that I already have?
- What do I have that can be adapted to this theme?
- What do I need to make?
- What do I need to buy?
The Plan
Before deciding on thematic unit materials, you need to first know what you want to have your students learn. What are the objectives and skills you want your students to know by the end of the unit? How can you achieve these goals?
Planning and mapping out what you want to teach your students is crucial. First, start by charting the curricular areas you can cover with your chosen theme. Then, decide on what lessons, activities and centers that would meet the objectives and skills you have chosen to be learned or practiced.
Here are some of the curricular areas you may choose and some centers and activities that may help your students achieve their goals.
- Reading: Themed Leveled Books; Classroom Books; Student Booklets; Student Worksheets
- Language Arts Themed Centers: Sight Words; Build a Word; Roll It! Read It! Game Cards
- Writing/Handwriting: Student Themed Booklets; Student Journals & Stories
- Mathematics: Themed Counting Games; Dice Games; Math Facts Games; Measurement Activities
- Art: Themed art projects
- Science: Themed observation booklets; journals, experiments
- Social Studies: Informational text; charting & mapping environment
- Technology: Themed websites; field trips; games
Materials Search
It may take some searching on your part, but you can find many free or minimally prices materials. These materials may be used with one specific thematic unit or a variety of themes.
Some materials may have to be adapted to meet your student’s needs, but that can be easily done. Here are some sites that may help you with your materials search:
- Teachers Pay Teachers
- Etsy
- Mailbox
- A to Z Teacher Stuff
- Lesson Planet
- Teacher Vision
- Google Search
Grab your Free, Butterfly Math Dice Games!
In summary, the thematic unit materials are a crucial aspect of your chosen theme. Planning and mapping out what you want your students to learn from your chosen thematic unit is also important. Decide what lessons, activities, and centers you want to include in this unit.
Once your objectives and goals have been decided you can look at your materials. See what you already have, what can be adapted, and what has to be made or bought. Finding free and low-priced themed activities are at your fingertips.
Find some more reading activities and assessments in my store, The Teaching Scene by Maureen.
To read more topics check out my blog, “Seven Effective First Grade Assessment Tools”
