Thematic Units

1
Thematic Units

• The circuit that lights the bulb!

2
Generating

• Why do we learn? How do we know we have learned?
• Learning for acquisition of knowledge
• Learning for application
• Learning for assimilation
• Learning for association
• Growing the brain dendrites synapses, and
  neurons (Parnell)

3
Connecting

• Why thematic units?
• Connecting learning to the real world (Parnell,
  Toffler)
• Demonstrating an active reading strategy -
  connections (Harvey)
• Living the Third Wave (Toffler)
• Knowing knowledge wealth, power (Toffler)

4
Disconnecting

• Why is creating a thematic unit difficult?
• Freezing knowledge (Parnell)
• Thinking like Henry Ford
• Learning in the Second Wave (Toffler)
• Testing Trivia

5
Creating

• How can I construct a Thematic Unit?
• Adding one circuit at a time
• Connecting themes in literature to concepts
  within subject area, outside the subject area,
  and out-of school knowledge (Langer,
  Johannessan)
• Questioning Inquiry-based themes (Johannessan)
• Building on a theme not a topic

6
Lighting

• Will my students score higher on the standardized
  tests? Will they know more?
• Comparing HSTW students to College Prep students
  (NAEP test) (Parnell)
• Integrating curriculum 58 points (Lawton)
• Attending school
• Relieving boredom