Get started with an innovative approach to teaching history that develops literacy and higher-order thinking skills, connects the past to students' lives, and meets state and national standards (grades 7-12). Now in a second edition, this popular book provides an introductory unit to help teachers build a trustful classroom climate; over 70…

An adapted alternating treatments design was used to compare the expressive use of thematic vocabulary by three preschool children with developmental delays during Dialogic Reading, a shared book reading intervention, and Activity-Based Intervention, a naturalistic play-based teaching method. The design was replicated across two early childhood…

It is enchanting when over twenty students' quilt squares make a quilt. The common, yet diverse techniques for making a quilt transform the students' quilt squares into a shared quilting experience. A quilt made by students in one classroom can demonstrate a unique characteristic of each student by combining their squares into a quilt about a…

Shares two methods for teaching themes (giving and jealousy are used as examples) to elementary students. (MG)

Presents guidelines for developing thematic units for primary students (pick broad-based themes, gather resources, avoid time traps, let student interests guide the themes, create interactive bulletin boards, and organize materials). The article offers ideas, activities, and experiences for beginning a color unit and maintaining thematic teaching…

Offers four essays containing suggestions from classroom teachers on using big books for sharing reading experiences; poems or paragraphs; an interdisciplinary unit of study for first graders around Tomie de Paola's "The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush"; and comparing film and text to build critical comprehension. (SR)

Examines acquisition of proprietary vocabulary (a collection of words over which the owner has mastery of understanding in listening and reading and mastery of use in speaking and writing). Describes a thematic approach to vocabulary development, and teachers' use of creative experiences to enhance acquisition of proprietary vocabulary. (RS)

Intended to help teachers and librarians inspire students in grades 5-9 to read and keep reading, this book provides literature theme approaches and teaching strategies for reading and studying literature. Chapter 1 discusses approaches, methods, techniques, and strategies in using literature approaches to motivate reading. Chapter 2 defines a…

This paper explores the use of conceptual themes as a framework for interdisciplinary studies with gifted students. Describes sample themes and suggested student products, as well as guidelines for brainstorming, planning activities, facilitating production, and evaluating student products. (PB)

With the current emphasis on whole language, the use of children's literature as the basis for reading instruction is widespread. Theme units have been suggested as one way to provide stimulating opportunities for children to explore and learn. Whole language based literature theme units emphasize process more than product. Units are designed to…

Offering a step-by-step guide to the planning and implementation of dramatic play in the elementary classroom, this book shows how the art of dramatic playing can be used as a process for integrating learning across the curriculum. The first section of the book, Playing Dramatically, discusses integrating learning and drama, areas of learning…

Describes the use of Lewis Carroll's "Alice in Wonderland" as a thematic device that leads to classroom activities in reading, writing, music, art, and other areas of the curriculum. The project culminates in a play written and created by the entire class. (TM)

Presents a cross-curricular theme unit on colors that includes a pullout poster and a resource list. Social studies activities highlight flags of the world. Science activities teach about colors of animals and the science of color. Language arts activities describe colorful language. Mathematics activities involve sorting and graphing colors. (SM)

Teaching a diverse population of adolescents to be writers, readers, and active citizens requires fundamental changes in curriculum development, teaching strategies, and student roles in the classroom. In this article, two educators report on their collaboration in an urban high school in Portland, Oregon, USA, to create a classroom where students…

A study was conducted to analyze and compare two elementary literature-based thematic curriculum units. A broad set of framing questions developed by a team of researchers representing six subject areas was used with a particular focus on the extent to which the two units would likely promote understanding and appreciation of literature and the…