CTSE-7910 
        
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SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT II
Thematic Unit
Due: Saturday, September 29

      Goal
      Create a thematic unit using some of the concepts of whole language to develop your activities. Include art and/or music, related readings from various genres, and/or activities from other disciplines. 
      Creating a Thematic Unit
      Designing Activities and Projects
      Remember that whole language activities are the key to a well-designed and fully functional thematic unit. Here are some suggestions to help you along the way. Activities should... 
      • integrate the language arts--reading, writing, speaking, listening. 
      • be holistic in nature. 
      • emphasize a "hands-on" approach to learning. 
      • focus on the relationship between literary work and the "real world" or on a topic of general interest to your students 
      • be based in a meaningful format that engages students in productive work (as opposed to "busy work"). 
      • be both instructional and motivational in nature. 
      • relate to the general topic of the unit or the specific topic of a literary piece.
      Grading Rubric
      Your thematic unit must contain the following:
      1. a teacher's manual. The purpose of the manual is to explain how you plan to use the materials in your unit. The manual may be in a separate section of your unit, or you may introduce each text with an explanation of how you plan to use it.
      2. at least four texts with appropriate activities. These texts may include... 
          3. a) a poem 
          b) a song (must be included)
          c) a letter 
          d) an informational text (reading to learn)
          e) a video 
          f) a short story (reading for pleasure)
      3. a theme outline.
      4. miscellaneous materials, such as transparencies, maps, art, realia of all kinds. You will need to explain how you plan to use these materials in your teacher's manual.
      5. a reference page that lists all your sources. In addition, put your source at the bottom of the last page of each authentic text.

 
      Planning for Thematic Instruction
  1. Choose a theme.
    2. Content area--look at your course of study 
    Ideas--Home, Family, Leisure Time, etc.
  2. Choose literature.
    3. Short Story/Read Aloud--can be the center of your unit 
    Poetry--music counts in this category 
    Nonfiction 
    Graded readers stories
  3. Gather resources.
    4. Texts 
    Maps 
    Pictures 
    Transparencies 
    Games 
    Realia in general 
  4. Brainstorm.
    5. What kinds of tasks are appropriate for each text? 
    How will you engage students? 
    Will you have learning center? If so, how will you organize them? 
  5. Work with a planning web.
    6. Fill in chart with chosen activities. 
    What disciplines are you lacking? How could these disciplines be more fully developed? 
  6. Implement the unit.
    7. Before you begin, have students write their thoughts and expectations of the unit in their journal.
  7. Evaluate the unit.
    8. Have the students discuss what they have done in the unit. 
    Make a transparency of your plannning web and fill it in as you discuss. 
    Have students make suggestions for improvement. 
    Have students evaluate the unit in their journals; evaluation should be personal.