How do you choose a thematic unit that best meets the needs of your students? Do you start with a theme, topic, or a book? If you have been interested in using thematic units in your classroom, keep reading these questions may be answered for you!
Questions to Ask
The first question you must ask yourself when you choose a thematic unit is what is your purpose? Are you learning about a certain topic or are you using a piece or pieces of literature to guide your instruction?
When you start with the literature it will choose your theme or topic. When you start with the topic or theme you will choose the literature that is relevant.
Here are some other questions to consider when developing a unit of study.
- How will it connect to subjects across curricular areas?
- How can I incorporate hands-on learning activities?
- Is it a topical unit of study?
- Can I integrate learning skills?
- Will I be able to incorporate student language development?
- How can I integrate real-world context?
- Will I be able to engage students’ higher-level thinking skills?
Monthly Literature & Thematic Units
Choosing a thematic unit can be so much fun! It really begins with your choice. Sometimes you can start with a book, other times you can start with the topic.
You can easily match literature with your theme or topic. Here are some ideas of monthly literature and thematic units.
- January: “Snowmen at Night”: Snowmen Thematic Unit
- February: “Love Splat”: Valentine’s Day Thematic Unit
- March: “How to Catch a Leprechaun”: Patrick’s Day Thematic Unit
- April: “The Earth Book”: Earth Day Thematic Unit
- May: “From Caterpillar to Butterfly”: Butterfly Thematic Unit
- June: “Beach Day”: Beach Thematic Unit
- July: “Happy 4th of July Jenny Sweeney!”: 4th of July Thematic Unit
- August: “A Camping Spree with Mr. Magee”: Camping Thematic Unit
- September: “Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons”: Pete the Cat Thematic Unit
- October: “Go Away Big Green Monster”: Monster Thematic Unit
- November: “Turkey Trouble”: Turkey Thematic Unit
- December: “A Wish to Be a Christmas Tree”: Christmas Trees Thematic Unit
Thematic Unit Ideas
Sometimes your grade level curriculum guides you to how you must choose a thematic unit. You must consider your grade level and the topics of instruction that you must teach. Here are some more broader units of study that may guide you in your choices.
- Seasons: fall, winter, spring, summer
- Animals: bugs, whales, penguins, dinosaurs
- Habitats: ocean, deserts, forest, artic
- Holidays: Groundhog’s Day, Veteran’s Day, Halloween; Earth Day
- Food: popcorn, pizza, s’mores, ice cream
- Sports: football, soccer, basketball, baseball
- Nature: flowers, trees, camping, garden
In summary, to choose a thematic unit of study, an educator must consider whether they are going to start with a theme, topic, or a book. They must consider what their purpose will be along with several other questions that will guide their instruction.
Thematic units or literature-based units allows teachers the freedom to explore numerous topics with their students. It allows for lessons that include language arts, math, social studies, science, art, and technology to be studied.
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To read more topics check out my blog, “Seven Effective First Grade Assessment Tools”
