Creating thematic unit centers is the fun part of developing a themed unit of study. But there are several questions that need to be asked before this work begins.
For example, what centers and activities will be appropriate for your students? What skills and objectives can be learned and practiced with these centers? If you are interested in creating thematic unit centers, keep reading your questions may be answered for you!
Questions to Ask
Once you have begun your search for centers and activities in your chosen theme you need to ask yourself some questions. Here’s a few to consider.
- What do I already have that can be used with this theme?
- Are there things that I already have that can be adapted to this theme?
- Which centers do I need to make for this theme?
- Do I need to buy certain materials to complete the centers and activities for this theme?
Breaking It Down
Once you have decided on your theme and time available for unit you can begin to chart what centers & activities will be done in each curricular area. Breaking your theme into each of the learning areas will help you figure out what skills can be learned and practice in each area.
It will also lead to what centers & activities can be done in each area of study. Here are some of the areas you may what to consider for center work,
- Language Arts
- Reading
- Literature List
- Phonics
- Spelling
- Writing
- Handwriting
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social Studies
- Technology
- Art
Now that you have chosen the curricular areas you will be using and the skills you want students to learn, let’s take a look at what centers you can create.
Language Arts Centers & Activities
- Classroom Books
- Student Booklets
- Leveled Themed Reading Books
- Student Worksheets
- Literature Lists
- Sight Word Games
- Build a Word Games
- Word Sorting
- Roll It! Read It Game Cards
- Informational Text Writing
- Fiction Student Stories
- Research Projects
- Handwriting Themed Worksheets
Mathematics Centers & Activities
- Counting & Number Games
- Themed Addition & Subtraction Facts
- Build a Two or Three Addend Number Sentences
- Ten Frame Practice
- Build a Number
- Dice Games
- Problem Solving
- Math Worksheets Themed
Science/Social Studies Centers & Activities
- Student Observations Booklets
- Student Journals
- Themed Worksheets
- Experiments
- Informational Themed Text
- Mapping Skills
- Environment Issues
Technology & Art
- Themed Websites
- Virtual Field Trips
- Themed Skilled Games
- Art Projects
Grab your Free, Butterfly Classroom Book & Word Bank!
In summary, thematic unit centers offer your students a variety of ways to learn skills and objectives based on the theme chosen. The centers and activities developed can cross many curricular areas and skill levels.
When developing thematic units there is always a fine line between having too much or too little. The centers and activities that are created should include the standards and objectives students need to learn or practice in many areas of study.
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”
