Are you looking for some cross-curricular back to school thematic unit ideas to use in your classroom? Create a thematic unit about back to school across all the curricular areas.
From literature lists to art projects, have your students explore the theme of back to school. Check this list to explore some wonderful cross-curricular back to school unit ideas that can be used with this exciting theme.
1. Back to School Themed Literature Lists
A back to school thematic unit has so many wonderful choices for literature. You could create a literature-based thematic unit based on one of the numerous back to school themed stories. Here are just a few back to school books.
Back to School Literature List
- First Day Jitters: Julie Danneberg
- Splat the Cat-Back to School, Splat!: Rob Scorton
- If You Take a Mouse to School: Laura Numeroff
- Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See?: Eric Carle
- This School Year Will be the Best: Kay Winter
- Rules for School: Alec Greven
- First Day of School: Anne Rockwell
- Pete the Cat Rocking in My School Shoes: Eric Litwin
- Mouse Loves School: Laura Thompson
- Amelia Bedelia First Day of School: Herman Parish
- The Kissing Hand: Audrey Penn
- Rufus Goes to School: Kim Griswell
- The Berenstain Bears Go to School: Jan Berenstain
- David Goes to School: David Shannon
2. Back to School Language Arts Centers & Activities
There are numerous language arts centers and activities that can be used with a back to school thematic unit. From classroom-made books to phonic games students will enjoy the variety of centers and activities while learning about back to school. Check out this list!
Back to School Themed Language Arts Centers & Activities
- Back to School Writing Word Bank
- “Going Back to School” Classroom Book
- “Back to School Senses” Student Booklet
- Back to School Student Story
- Back to School Graphic Organizers
- Back to School Beginning, Middle & Ending Story Graphic Organizers
- Back to School Sequence Story Retelling Graphic Organizers
- Back to School Beginning Sound Capital & Lowercase Match Games
- Back to School Make a Short Vowel Word Family Game
- Back to School Short Vowel Sounds Roll It! Read It! Words & Sentences
- Back to School Equipment Match Game
- Back to School Build a Word Game
3. Back to School Mathematics Centers and Activities
Let us look at some back to school mathematics centers and activities that you could use with your students. These activities could be used with lower elementary students, along with special education students depending on their skill level. Try one of these back to school thematic unit math activities with your students!
Back to School Themed Math Centers & Activities:
- Back to School Counting Student Booklet
- Back to School Ten Frame Roll & Cover Game
- Back to School Number & Number Word Match Game
- Back to School Counting Games
- Back to School Number & Ten Frames Matching Game
- Back to School Roll & Cover Math Games
- Back to School Addition & Subtractions Facts Clip Game
- Back to School Build 2-Addend Addition & Subtraction Sentences
- Back to School Build 2-Addend Addition & Subtractions Sentences with Ten Frames
- Back to School Build 3-Addend Addition & Subtraction Sentences
- Back to School 5 In a Row Math Game Cards: 2 & 3 Addends
- Back to School Roll & Bump Math Games: 2 & 3 Addends
4. Back to School Science & Social Studies Centers & Activities
Back to school is a great unit to do investigations in science and social studies. There are several back to school activities that you can do with your students that promote learning in these areas. Here are some suggestions for you!
Back to School Themed Science & Social Studies Centers & Activities
- Back to School Writing Word Bank
- “Back to School Senses” Student Booklet
- “Going Back to School” Classroom Book
- Back to School Scientific Method
- Back to School Sorting Activities
- Graph How You Came to School?
- Getting to Know Students Activities
- Leaves Identification
- Back to School Map of Classroom
- Interview School Employees
5. Back to School Art & Technology Centers & Activities
Have you ever thought of doing art projects with the back to school theme? Students will love to create back to school themed art projects along with using technology to work on learning skills in this theme. Look at these ideas for you!
Back to School Themed Art & Technology Centers & Activities
- Back to School Acrostic Poems Project
- Back to School Paper Plate Art Project
- Classroom Banners
- Goal Setting Art Project
- Back to School Name Activity
- Back to School Letter & Sound Match BOOM & Task Cards
- Back to School Counting Google Slides
- Back to School Build a Word BOOM Cards
- Back to School Number & Ten Frame Match BOOM & Task Cards
- Back to School Build a Word Google Slides
In summary, there are many engaging cross-curricular back to school thematic unit ideas. You and your children can explore the units with books, centers, and activities. Whatever theme you choose, your students will have a wonderful time discovering the literature and activities you choose.
Find some more Thematic Units and ideas in my store, The Teaching Scene by Maureen.
To read more topics about thematic units check out my blog, “Why Use Thematic Units In Your Classroom or Home School?”
