Science Concept Planner Part 3 Worksheet:

Themes, Concepts, and Topics

• Theme: subject-speci c content, focusing on narrow, speci c things such as le ers,
numbers, or an individual animal
• Topic: the “big idea” that can connect to mul ple, explorable topics
• Concept: a smaller element of the topic, the “smaller ideas” which directly relate to
the “big idea;” focuses on independent but connected components of the concept.

In a theme-based curriculum, all knowledge, skills, and curriculum areas are connected to a
central idea, like a le er of the week or animal of the month. All the ac vi es planned for the
classroom revolve around the central theme with the teacher driving the curriculum. In a
concept-based curriculum (or, as we recommend, a science-based curriculum), parts of the day
are linked to a big idea. These concepts are more dynamic, wherein you can target the big ideas
like all the physical characteris cs we can observe, see, record, inves gate, manipulate, and
explore by using di erent skills. Many programs take approaches that revolve around themes,
focusing on a le er or animal of the week and looking at rote memoriza on and copy/paste art
to promote learning around the stated theme. Concept development, on the other hand, links
previous experiences with new ones, extending into a deeper, more meaningful learning
opportuni es. Connec ng these concepts together and linking them to previous learning is the
founda on for inten onal planning. As a result, iden fying explorable concepts is an important
rst step in the planning cycle. Consider the following common topics in early childhood
educa on. Which of these topics would you consider to be be er than others?
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 In your own words, what is the di erence between a concept and a

theme?

A concept is a bit more broad and can relate to di erent elements and skills. A theme is more speci c
towards one par cular area.

What science topic or concepts would you like to explore, and why?

I would like to explore transporta on because being in the Skyriders classroom it is no ceable to me that
this topic that the children are interested in.

What websites or resources will you use to research your concepts and
topic?

I would use the NSTA website, the Ohio Learning Standards, Na onal Geographic Kids, and How Stu
Works

What ra onale can you provide for choosing this topic? Why is this a
topic worthy of inves ga ng?

I think that children learn best when they are working with topics that they are interested in. Each me I
visit the Bombeck Center I always see the students involved in some sort of transporta on ac vity. With
that being said, I think it is a topic worth inves ga ng because I know that the students will learn while
also being engaged.

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