Have you ever wondered how you can meet grade-level standards using thematic units? Can using thematic or literacy units be appropriate for all your students?
As educators, we are always searching for the just-right fit for our students. This includes the literature we read, the lessons we plan, and the assessments we administer. How can we do this and still meet the grade-level standards? Some of the following ideas may help answer these questions for you!
The Balancing Act
It is quite a balancing act to find or make materials that are appropriate for all your students. If you teach special education, you could have a range of grade levels. In addition, these students may not be able to master their grade-level standards.
If you teach general education, you may have students in the same grade level, but again you have those students who are not able to master their grade level expectations. You also may have students that are able to work above their grade level expectations.
Grade Level Standards or Expectations
The standards and objectives for each grade level are what students will be assessed on throughout their school careers. If you teach Special Education students are assessed with their goals and objectives on their Individual Educational Plan.
These are your student’s educational expectations! So, you need to be able to prove and back up that you are teaching these standards, objectives, and expectations to your students.
The trick is to be able to pick a thematic unit based on these standards and have them be grade level or student appropriate. Here’s an example of how to put it together.
Life Science: An Animal’s Life Grade 1
Thematic units can begin with topics that grade level standards mandate you to study. An example of this is in a life science unit and the study of an animal’s life. The butterfly’s life cycle is the main focus of this science topic, so the butterfly thematic unit was developed.
Butterfly Thematic Unit: Grade 1
- Obtain First Grade Standards & Objectives for Each Curricular Area.
- Match & develop literature list around theme.
- Develop grade level standard reading materials and centers around theme.
- Make grade level standard math materials and centers around theme.
- Develop science and social studies materials and lessons around grade level standards based on theme.
- Research other activities or materials that could be used with this theme. Include technology, movement, & the arts.
- Adapt materials to meet all student’s needs.
Adaptations
For many learners, especially those who struggle some concepts and skills are exceedingly difficult to acquire. Using themed-based units can engage all students no matter what their ability level.
It allows students to have a hands-on approach to learning and offers the ability to use many multisensory activities. Therefore, meeting the grade level standards or their Individualized goals and objectives.
Adaptations or modifications can be used to help all learners achieve and meet the standards. Here are just a few adaptations that can be made.
- Change Instructional Arrangement: Work in small groups or partners.
- Alter the Physical or Social Environment: Give students choices of where to sit. Table, desk, quiet place, near the board.
- Adapt Materials: Incorporate hands-on materials, visual aids, graphic organizers, technology, & differentiated reading or math materials.
- Modify or reduce assignment: Modify writing tasks, reduce the number of items or tasks, allow for creative ways for students to show what they know.
- Provide Extra Support: Enlist peers, special educators, and paraprofessionals.
Grab your Free, Butterfly Adaptable Worksheets!
In summary, themed-base units of study allow you to meet your student’s developmental needs and your grade-level standards and objectives. It allows you to pull in lessons that include language arts, math, social studies, science, technology, and art to be studied.
This type of unit is a wonderful way to bring so many learning activities into your classroom. It can meet your grade-level standards, students individualize goals, and engage all students learning!
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”
