Category Archives: Thematic Teaching

Savanna Safari Sorting Mats and Cards

Posted on January 31, 2017 by

Boy–it’s taken me a long time to finish this newest piece of the Savanna Safari Maps, Mural, and MiniMuseum.  Life has interrupted things in a big way for the last few months, but I think I’m back on track and I’m … Continue reading →

Posted in Inquiry Based Learning, Integrated Instruction, Learning, Savanna, Science Themes, Thematic Teaching | Leave a comment

Student-Made Books

Posted on May 16, 2016 by

Classroom publishing has always been dear to my heart.  I first realized the power of publishing student’s work when I was working at a university lab school.  I was studying ways to teach students with learning and emotional disabilities.  One of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Classroom Publishing, Integrated Instruction, Language Arts, Literacy Activities, Project Based Learning, Special Education, Thematic Teaching | 1 Comment

Savanna Safari Animal Puppets / Masks

Posted on May 9, 2016 by

I finally finished the first of many products celebrating life on the African savanna.  I am always looking for ways to get students to read where they don’t realize that they are actually reading!  (It helps a little to be a … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Integrated Instruction, Language Arts, Play, Savanna, Science Themes, Thematic Teaching | Leave a comment

Playful Learning with Classroom Museums

Posted on January 4, 2016 by

Classroom museums and research centers provide materials to set up classroom centers that allow students to study themes through exploration, manipulation, and inquiry, based on their curiosity and interests. Abstract concepts become more accessible by presenting them as concrete activities, objects, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Instructional Planning, Integrated Instruction, Learning, Thematic Teaching, Thinking About Teaching | 3 Comments

Christmas Stockings

Posted on December 14, 2015 by

Here’s a simple, fun, and educational  activity for your kiddos.  Students learn some of the common design elements of the Pennsylvania Dutch style, and use the information to create a cut-and-paste Christmas stocking.  Directions, tracers, and background information are all … Continue reading →

Posted in Art Themes, Christmas, Colonial America, Holidays, How To..., Integrated Instruction, Project Based Learning, Social Studies Themes, Thematic Teaching | 2 Comments

The Power of REAL

Posted on December 7, 2015 by

I learned about the power that REAL learning can have on motivating students during my Master’s Degree training and later experiences with my own students. I started my Master’s Degree in Special Education after I had been teaching elementary school … Continue reading →

Posted in Classroom Publishing, Instructional Planning, Integrated Instruction, Language Arts, Learning, Native Americans, Project Based Learning, Real Life Projects, Social Studies Themes, Special Education, Thematic Teaching, Thinking About Teaching, Writing | Leave a comment

Land Regions of a State: Interest Groups

Posted on November 9, 2015 by

I am sharing some units and projects which I’ve used with groups of students of widely varying ability and achievement levels. Since I teach thematically (no matter what grade or type of class I may be working with), I tend to think … Continue reading →

Posted in Classroom Publishing, How To..., Instructional Planning, Integrated Instruction, Language Arts, Literacy Activities, Natural Resources, Plants, Project Based Learning, Special Education, Thematic Teaching, Workshop Style Teaching, Writing | Tagged differentiation, inclusion, land regions, make a movie, photo essay, publish a myth, science, science projects, social studies | Leave a comment

All About Me–Writing Lesson Plans

Posted on October 26, 2015 by

For the next few weeks I’m going to share some lessons which I’ve used with groups of students of widely varying ability and achievement levels. Since I teach thematically (no matter what grade or type of class I may be … Continue reading →

Posted in Classroom Publishing, How To..., Integrated Instruction, Language Arts, Literacy Activities, Project Based Learning, Social Studies Themes, Special Education, Thematic Teaching, Thinking About Teaching, Workshop Style Teaching, Writing | 2 Comments

Interdisciplinary Teaching Impossible in US?

Posted on September 28, 2015 by

I was really surprised to read on another teacher’s blog: “standards and testing have made interdisciplinary teaching almost impossible in the US.”   HUH? Interdisciplinary teaching just requires that all subjects be organized to correlate with and compliment each other. … Continue reading →

Posted in Instructional Planning, Integrated Instruction, Learning, Thematic Teaching, Thinking About Teaching | 2 Comments

Inquiry, Project Based Learning

Posted on September 21, 2015 by

I have always found children learn better, faster, deeper, and stronger when they do stuff, real stuff. Curiosity, interest, desire, and control are the bedrock upon which true learning grows. Children who build, create, construct, and design in order to … Continue reading →

Posted in Integrated Instruction, Learning, Native Americans, Project Based Learning, Social Studies Themes, Thematic Teaching, Thinking About Teaching | 2 Comments