0.1 Instructional theories

Thematic learning

Definition

Thematic instruction is the organization of a curriculum around "themes." Thematic instruction integrates basicdisciplines like reading, writing, math, and science with the exploration of a broad subject such as communities, rain forests, river basins, the useof energy, etc.

Basic Elements

Thematic instruction is based on the idea that people acquire knowledge best when learning in the context of a coherent "whole,"and when they can connect what they're learning to the real world. Thematic instruction seeks to put the teaching of cognitive skills such as reading,mathematics, science, and writing in the context of a real-world subject that is both specific enough to be practical, and broad enough to allowcreative exploration.

Thematic instruction usually occurs within an entire grade level of students. Teachers in the various disciplines in thatparticular grade work together as a team to design curriculum, instruction methods, and assessment around a pre-selected theme.

Typical steps include:

• Choosing a theme -Themes often involve a large, integrated system (such as a city or an ecosystem) or a broadconcept (such as interconnectivity or weather). Instructors often strive to connect the theme to the students' everyday lives. In somecases, students participate in choosing the theme or themes.
• Designing the integrated curriculum - The teachers involved must organize the learning objectives of their corecurriculum (both process skills and content knowledge) around the theme. In the study of a river basin, for instance, math might involvecalculating water flow and volume; social studies could look at the nature of river communities; science might study phenomena likeweather and floods; and literature could study books and novels that focus on rivers, such as the works of Mark Twain. The initial designrequires considerable work on the part of teachers. Again, sometimes students help design the curriculum.
• Designing the instruction - This usually involves making changes to the class schedule, combining hoursnormally devoted to specific topics, organizing field trips, teaching in teams, bringing in outside experts, and so on.
• Encouraging presentation and celebration - Because thematic instruction is often project-oriented, itfrequently involves students giving collective presentations to the rest of the school or the community. Plus, students commonly createextensive visual displays.

Thematic instruction can be a powerful tool for reintegrating the curriculum and eliminating the isolated, reductionistnature of teaching that is centered around disciplines rather than experience. It requires a lot of hard, initial design work, plus, asubstantial restructuring of teacher relationships and class schedules.

Recommended Reading: (Online only)

Theme Pages : thematic units and lesson plans, resource pages, book activities, books, and professional resources organized bytheme.