Thematic TeachingThematic TeachingThematic TeachingThematic Teaching

Motivating students to learn!Motivating students to learn!

Ms. Jennifer WatkinsMs. Jennifer Watkins

What is Thematic teaching?

• Integration of curriculum around a central topic or theme using various hands on activities in all subject areas.

Thematic teaching…• Helps students to see relationships between

concepts• Engages students in their own learning• Builds a sense of community through group

activities and discussions• Accommodates broad ranges of student needs

and learning styles to facilitate continuous learning

• Increases student interest and time engaged

Mother Goose Nursery Rhymes Thematic Unit

• Students engage in various reading, writing, math, technology, and language arts activities developed around the theme of Nursery Rhymes.

Reading The Rhymes• The teacher reads

the rhymes aloud then allowing students to echo the words to build fluency in their reading.

Story Recall & Sequencing• Students created mini

books of each Nursery Rhyme

• Each book had a worksheet to accompany it which asked students to recall events or sequence the rhyme.

Phonemic Awareness• After reading the

rhyme Humpty Dumpty Sat On The Wall students brainstormed words that rhymed with wall.

Math

• Students practiced their Math Skills after reading Hickory Dickory Dock! Students practiced number recognition and telling time.

Technology• Students used the

computers and the program ClarisWorks For Kids to illustrate Nursery Rhymes.

Other examples of themes in our classroom.

• After studying The First Thanksgiving through a Thematic Unit students created Native American and Pilgrim costumes. We had a feast to celebrate our Thanksgiving.

Autumn• During the season of

Autumn our class studied apples and pumpkins. Upon completing these units we took trips to the Apple Orchard and Pumpkin Farm where students were able to see how they grow as well as pick one of each!