FOCUS THEMATIC UNIT

WHAT IS A THEMATIC UNIT?

= refers to any approach tht integrated learning across the curriculum wioth some organizing connection that gave a sense of unity to the study.

VALUE OF THEMATIC APPROACH FOR REAL LEARNING

integration of Language arts and learning in social studies, science, math and other curricular areas developing ways to demonstrate what they have

learned making connections in knowledge written product is the outcome rather than just part

of the learning facilitates learning

THEME CYCLES: CONNECTIONS

connect different books by the same author connect books by different authors on similar topic connect diffrent animals by looking at their shared

common environment connect a range of different kinds of information

about a particular topic compare diffrent parts of the world explore different stages or sequence of processes

COMPONENT PARTS OF THEMATIC UNIT

1. Theme. Select an appropriate theme reflecting text topics (curriculum), student interests, experiences, issues, or problems. 2. Grade Level Appropriateness 3. Focus. Develop a one-sentence focus statement that summarizes the direction and intent of the unit. 4. Objectives. Identify three or four specific objectives you wish students to master by the completion of the unit. These can be tied to state and county objectives and competencies. 5. Materials and Resources. It is advantageous to determine all the necessary materials and resources after the unit has been written. The way, you avoid limiting yourself to a few familiar items.

a. Printed Resources. newspapers, pamphlets, notices, travel guides, junk mail, journals, diaries, letters, maps, advertisements, brochures, flyers, encyclopedias, dictionaries, magazines, booklets, professional journals. b. Computer and CD-ROM Resources. Educational software, reference works, educational games and simulations related to curriculum, and CD-ROM adaptations of literature. c. Internet Resources. d. Audio/Visual Resources. videos, films, filmstrips, movies, slide programs, or overhead transparencies. Records, audio tapes, books and tapes, and CD’s. e. Community Resources. 1. guest speakers 2. field trips f. Instructional Television Resources 1. ETV 2. Cableg. Literature Resources 1. fiction 2. non-fiction

6. General Activities. Develop activities you wish to use throughout the unit. For the most part, these activities will be broad-based, covering the range of curricular areas and reflecting elements of a literature-based program. 7. Discussion Questions. Include a variety of open-ended questions that help students think about the topic in varied and divergent ways. 8. Literature Selections. See Materials and Resources above. Select books related to the topic of each thematic unit. For literature selection you may wish to develop a pre-reading activity, a variety of cross-curricular learning activities, and open-ended discussion questions. Select books from a variety of genres.

9. Culminating Activity. The culminating activity is a project or activity that engages students in meaningful summarization of their discoveries and leads to new ideas, understandings, and connections. 10. Evaluation. Devise appropriate means of evaluating student progress throughout the unit. Avoid relying on formal pencil and paper tests; select criteria to measure growth. Use conferences, logs, and student journal writing as well. 11. Related Works of Literature. Select books that relate to the theme and make these available for independent reading and reading aloud.

PLANNING THEME CYCLES

1. CURRICULUM REQUIREMENTS-SKILLS TO BE TAUGHT

2. INTEREST OF THE TEACHER AND THE STUDENT

-ASPECT OF STUDY3. STIMULUS OF A DIRECT RESPONSE

-VICARIOUS EXPERIENCE4. WEB INVESTIGATIONS

-FINDS IN THE INTERNET5. EVENTS OF LOCAL OR NATIONAL IMPORTANCE

-EXPLORE IDEAS ACROSS THE CURRICULUM

SAMPLE STORY(THE LION AND

THE MOUSE)

“THE LION AND THE MOUSE”

Once when a Lion was asleep a little Mouse began running up and down upon him; this soon wakened the Lion, who placed his huge paw upon him, and opened his big jaws to swallow him. "Pardon, O King," cried the little Mouse: "forgive me this time, I shall never forget it: who knows but what I may be able to do you a turnsome of these days?" The Lion was so tickled at the idea of the Mouse being able to help him, that he lifted up his paw and let him go. Some time after the Lion was caught in a trap, and the hunters who desired to carry him alive to the King, tied him to a tree while they went in search of a wagon to carry him on. Just then the little Mouse happened to pass by, and seeing the sad plight in which the Lion was, went up to him and soon gnawed away the ropes that bound the King of the Beasts. "Was I not right?" said the little Mouse.

Sample Focus Thematic Unit

1. Theme (Friendship)2. Grade Level Appropriateness (Grade 2)3. Focus ( Little friends may prove to be a great friend in their own little way)4. Objectives At the end of the session, the pupils will be able to: -describe the main characters of the story -give value of their friends unconditionally -dramatize their favorite scene in just 2 mins

5. Materials and Resources (Big Book or Colored Pictures)6. General Activities The pupils will be asked to give words that would describe one of the characters using the letters of the character’s name.

M-O-U-S-E-

7. Discussion QuestionsSample Questions:- Who are the characters of the story?- What did the little mouse do when the lion was asleep?- What can you say about the lion? How about the mouse?- What is the moral of the story?- If you were the mouse, would you do the same thing?

8. Literature Selection (Short Video Clip)Title: “Anansi and the Turtle share dinner” (opposite to the theme of the story and the students will compare the stories)

9. Culminating ActivityDivide a paper in half. On the left side of the paper,

record "What I learned." On the right side of the paper, record "How I came to learn it."

10. EvaluationIn their metacognitive log, they will be giving insights about the story and will try to relate in their experience encontered about a friend who helped them.

11. Related Works of LiteratureRelated Story: “The Hare with many Friends”Theme: Friendship

THANK YOU!!!

MEMBERS: 1.) MARIA JESSA PODELANA 2.) FLORI ANN

PASIGNA 3.) STEPHANIE

JACABAN 4.) MARY GRACE DENAMPO 5.) ARIEL MISA