Erik Mickelson Advanced Learner Specialist (760)

Thematic Teaching Approach 1: Using A Concrete Theme Pumpkins in October or Hearts in February Does link content areas but not very rigorous or engaging Can veer too far from Academic Content Standards Doesn’t promote higher level thinking

Thematic Teaching Approach 1: Choosing 1 Content Area and Linking the Others Better than method 1 as it focuses on Academic Content Can be Engaging and Rigorous if structured with the right questions Can cause 1 content area to overshadow the others Can be too much of a stretch to make it all relate

Thematic Teaching Approach 1: Using Universal Themes Rigorous Critical Thinking Flexible in terms of time and size of connections Engaging and Academically focused Practical and easy implementation

Universal Themes Change Conflict Force/Influences Order/Chaos Patterns Power Structures Systems Exploration Origins Relationships Adaptation

How Universal Themes Work Questioning Strategy Choose a Theme/Make Generalizations Use Content to Support Generalizations Create Products to Show Learning Support the 4 areas of Advanced Differentiation: Acceleration, Depth, Complexity, and Novelty

Kinder: Universal Theme Patterns GeneralizationELAMathScienceSocial Studies Products Patterns Repeat Patterns Help Us Predict There are Patterns We Can See, Hear, Say, and Do Features of Print Syllables/ Phonics Taking Turns Speaking and Listening “S” Patterns Capitals/ Punctuation Whole #s Using Objects Represent Operation of Whole #s Shapes in Space Patterns in Plants and Animals Patterns of: Color Size Shape Weight Texture Calendar Holidays Jobs/ Work School Community Thinking Map Drawing Oral Report Model Writing Experiment Digital Project

Grade 1: Universal Theme Change Generalizatio ns ELAMathScienceSocial Studies Products Change Can Be Good or Bad You cannot grow without Change There are Changes All the Time in Nature Blending: Sound and Meaning Changes Final “e” Narrative Writing Punctuation How numbers change with addition and subtraction Adding zeroes to numbers Time States of Matter Environmental Adaptations Weather Trends School and Community Past and Present Maps: How Places Change Changes in Everyday Life Map Drawing Oral Report Model Writing Experiment Digital Project

Grade 2: Universal Theme Relationships Generalizatio ns ELAMathScienceSocial Studies Products Relationships Change Over Time Relationships are Purposeful Everything is Related in Some Way Interactions Between Characters and Events Main Idea and Detail Build on Others’ Talk Parts of Speech Relate + and – to length Time and Money in Math Partition of Shapes Push and Pull of Objects Offspring and Basic Genetic Traits Humans and Natural Resources Family History Crime and Punishment Production of Food Other Countries and the US Map Drawing Oral Report Model Writing Experiment Digital Project

Grade 3: Universal Theme Exploration Generalization s ELAMathScienceSocial Studies Products Exploration Confronts the Unknown Exploration Can Bring “New Findings” or Confirm “Old Findings” Exploration and Research are Closely Related Technology in Research and Writing Tales from Different Cultures Context Clues for Meaning Finding missing number in Equations Exploring shapes in the World Multiply and Divide to Solve Problems Scientific Investigation Research life in varying environments Use of Telescopes Geography Explorers and Settlers Research/ Exploration of National Landmarks Map Drawing Oral Report Model Writing Experiment Digital Project

Grade 4: Universal Theme Power Generalization s ELAMathScienceSocial Studies Products Power Can Influence or Change Things Power Can Take Many Forms (chemical, electrical, political, physical) Power May Be Used or Abused Persuasive Writing: Concluding Statements Power of Words: Metaphors, Similes Characters in Novels Factors and Multiples = and Symmetry Word Problems Involving Amounts Electricity and Magnetism Food Chain Energy and Matter Erosion Spanish Missionaries The Power and Promise of Gold Agricultural and Industrial Strength of California Map Drawing Oral Report Model Writing Experiment Digital Project

Grade 5: Universal Theme Systems Generalization s ELAMathScienceSocial Studies Products Systems Are Comprised of Sub-Systems Systems Interact Systems Follow Rules Informative or Explanatory Writing: Structured Sequencing Shades of Meaning Systematic Approach to Language Decimals, Fractions, and Percents Systems of Measurement Graphing and Analyzing Data Elements and Properties Respiration and Digestion Rain, Hail, Sleet, Snow Solar System Trade and Commerce Causes of the American Revolution Setting up Our Government Map Drawing Oral Report Model Writing Experiment Digital Project