M12: Thematic Units and ELs

One way to integrate content and language and to create powerful learning opportunities for our ELs is to create thematic units. Thematic units have become less popular lately, but I don't understand why.  Thematic units are powerful opportunities to integrate language and content.   

In this first video, the teachers will discuss how to create and plan integrated thematic units, and the benefits of thematic units for the teachers as well as for their students.

 

Project Based learning, or PBL, is a way to integrate thematic units across content areas.  

This video shows a teacher and his students engaged in PBL with Science, literacy, Math, and Social Studies.	This video is an elementary version of integrated Project Based Learning. Also powerful.

Whenever I watch videos like these, I think, "WOW, I wish I could learn in a class like that..." and then my next thought is, and I wish my children/grandchildren could learn in a class like that... and then EVERY kid could learn in a class like that.  Engaging, interesting, authentic, important, AND social justice.  All of it!

Be sure to read on page 276 about thematic teaching and lesson planning.