What are theme-based units? How can they fit into my classroom? Do they meet all my student’s needs? How can I make it fit into my curriculum? What do I need to engage all students with their learning?
If you have been asking yourself any of these questions, keep reading! Theme-based units will help students with several skills and objectives. This can occur across a variety of curricular areas. Let’s look at theme-based units of study.
Explanation of Theme-Based Units of Study
Theme-based units are lessons developed from a single theme or topic. They are similar to literature-based units of study. The difference being literature-based units start with a single or series of books.
In starting with a theme or topic, educators begin to plan. They decide what learning objectives, lessons, and assessments that they would like their students to master. These lessons may include skills and objectives in the following curricular areas:
- Language Arts
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social Studies
- Art
- Music
- Technology
Why Use Theme-Based Units?
For many learners, especially those who struggle with some concepts and skills are exceedingly difficult. Using theme-based units can engage all students no matter their ability level. It allows students to have a hands-on approach to learning. Multisensory activities can also be used.
Literature-based units can be organized around many curricular areas and can include the following facets:
- Connects many subjects across curricular areas
- Hands-on learning activities
- Topical Units of study
- Integrates learning skills
- Supports student’s language development
- Creates real-world contexts
- Allows engagement in complex thinking
- Facilitates a search for meaning and understanding
Ten Components of Theme-based Units of Study
When developing a themed-based unit of study there are many things to think about. You may want to consider the following components when creating a themed-based unit:
- Theme or Topic Choice: Select theme of unit based on standards, interests, and background knowledge of your students.
- Grade Level or Age: Theme should be based on developmentally appropriate level or grade or age of children.
- Standards & Objectives: Identify specific standards & objectives that students will master throughout the unit’s course.
- Time: Decide on how much time will be needed to implement and complete the thematic unit.
- Environment: Determine whether the environment needs to be modified or rearrange to implement the unit of study.
- Materials: Research and determine materials needed to complete the unit.
- Centers & Activities: Develop centers and activities that will be used throughout the unit including all subject areas.
- Literature List: Create and select a variety of books that relate to the theme.
- Discussion Points & Questions: Generate a variety of discussion points and questions to help children think about the theme and how it relates to them.
- Assessments: Build assessment pieces that will evaluate learner’s progress in all academic areas throughout the themed-based unit.
In summary, themed-base units of study will help students with a variety of skills and objectives across many subject areas. Lessons can be modified to engage all students no matter what their ability level.
More importantly, themed-based units allow for a hands-on approach to learning. It allows educators to develop multisensory lessons and activities that can connect with all students.
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To read more topics check out my blog, “Seven Effective First Grade Assessment Tools”
