Transcript Thematic Units

Thematic
Units
The circuit that lights
the bulb!
Generating
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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)
Connecting
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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)
Disconnecting
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Why is creating a thematic unit
difficult?
Freezing knowledge (Parnell)
Thinking like Henry Ford
Learning in the “Second Wave”
(Toffler)
Testing Trivia
Creating
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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
Lighting
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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