Thematic instruction offers flexible opportunities to engage students with real-world experiences in the technology and engineering community. Whether used in a broad unifying theme or specific project-based theme, research has proven that thematic instruction has the capacity to link cross-curricular subjects, facilitate active learning, and…

Political communication appears to be emerging as a theoretical and methodological academic area of research within both speech-communication and political science. Five complimentary approaches to political science (Machiavellian, iconic, ritualistic, confirmational, and dramatistic) may be viewed as a series of variations which emphasize the…

Examines the underlying rationale for using themes in contemporary classrooms. Examines guidelines for choosing and evaluating themes. Reviews what is meant by themes in various settings. Concludes that there are some issues that must be confronted by language arts professionals if the movement toward integrated thematic teaching is to result in…

Paper delivered at the ADFL Summer Seminar for Chairmen, June 21-25, 1971 at Middlebury College, Middlebury, Vermont. (DS)

The process of "webbing" is described as a valuable technique for organizing teaching activities around a theme. Two examples are illustrated using the broad topics of "change" and "fall." Suggestions are made for carrying out the fall theme by taking children on outdoor walks for the purpose of observing, examining,…

Describes how the revised Taxonomy was used to plan and implement a co-taught, integrated, thematic unit, examining how statements of objectives, instructional activities, and assessments helped develop this unit and describing three ways that the revised Taxonomy assisted in unit design (providing a common language; suggesting ways to integrate…

Suggests using themes of interest to integrate the curriculum and provide literacy activities instead of studying separate lessons on particular skills. (MG)

Presents basic guidelines with examples for developing interdisciplinary units grounded in social studies. Discusses the attributes of integrated curriculum and the benefits of interdisciplinary instruction. Discusses ways to use the book "Radio Man" in an interdisciplinary, thematic unit on migration. (SR)

Describes an interdisciplinary pilot program for ninth graders at Bronxville (New York) High School using three teachers (representing social studies, English, and art) to teach an ancient history unit. The varied learning activities were based on the Coalition for Essential Schools' driving forces: personalization, the student as worker,…

Discusses the need for decompartmentalization in education and an attempt to unify the student's learning experience through interdisciplinary study. (DD)

The Integrated Learning Semester program at the University of Delaware is described. Courses were designed around themes touching several academic areas and instructors cooperated in teaching courses. A course in literature and music of Romanticism is outlined and specific problems and procedures for implementing a program are noted. (CHK)

Describes across disciplines in the culture, literature, science, art, and music of the Renaissance. The program featured student exhibits, performances, projects, and demonstrations and a visit by a professional actor posing as William Shakespeare. (DB)

Advocates synergistic pedagogy, in which all the school subjects are related and taught in such a manner that they are almost inseparable. Demonstrates how this might be done with an interdisciplinary theme on the stars. (SR)

This paper presents information on using the Internet (electronic mail, listservs, world wide web sites, and gopher servers) to teach English in a transdisciplinary context by linking subjects thematically. The paper discusses how the Internet allows students to compose for a real reason and for a real audience. It also discusses listservs and…

Describes how "motif-units" undermine the potential benefits of integrated thematic instruction. Suggests replacing the term "thematic unit" with the concept of "interdisciplinary outline," which focus on meaningful content, authentic activities, students' needs, teacher mediation, and a variety of resources. Shows how one fourth-grade teacher…