Thematic

Teaching
 Definition
A thematic teaching is a teaching approach
where many different areas of the required
curriculum are connected using a common
theme.
For example, a class focusing on a beach theme
might learn vocabulary for common objects on
the beach, read books about the beach and do
beach themed artwork.
Provides opportunities for child to learn by doing
and have direct experiences with the world
Helps children understand that learning is
connected to life.
 Choosing the theme
Teacher should choose a theme which is related to
the childrens real-life experience.
Children can explore it with their senses.
Theme should reflect childrens interests and abilities.
Theme should involve concepts and skills at the right
level of challenge for the age group
Concept can be organized to move from:
Simple to complex
Concrete to abstract
Topic should be complex and interesting enough to be
explored at some depth
Helps children acquire understanding and
appreciation of themselves, others, and the world in
which they live.
 During the class
Discussion:
Create a variety of open-ended questions to
help the student to think about the theme.
Literature selection:
Select a wide range of book that correlate
with the activities and central theme.
Culminating activity:
Create a project that help student to
summarise what they have learned.
 Present content in multiple formats
verbal, print, video, or concrete objects
repeating key words/phrases in childrens
home language
using simple sentences with gestures
Use physical cues to focus childrens attention
pointing to the picture in the book
giving verbal prompts to help children
begin a response
offering language models for children to
imitate
encouraging children to keep thinking and
trying

After the class
Assessment/Evaluation: Measure student
growth through rubrics or assessment.
Evaluate students progress.
Documentation
Observation notes
Photography or video
Collection of student work samples
A class book, newsletter, scrapbook
Social event where student work is shared
 Advantages
Allows teachers to teach multiple
things at one time.
Students learn how to make
connections and understand how
things they experience at school
relate to the real world.
Keeps students engaged. (more
student-centred than teacher-centred)
The students collectively have some
choice of what they learn, which
fosters community among students.
 Disadvantages
Students may not be interested in the
subject and may refuse to participate in
the classroom community.
If students miss a day they may find it
very hard to make the connections that
they missed.
Connections may be difficult to make for
some students based on different
cultural or academic ability.
For example, a child from Malaysia who
has never seen snow will have a hard
time relating to a snow-themed unit.