Creating Thematic Units

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Creating Thematic Units

• Oh so many ways.
• Presentation for EDEX 750

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Considerations

• Select topic for unit
• Review standards related to topic NETS
• Consider structure/sequence- options
• Develop lessons using technology Research web
  sites to use
• Locate software

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Selecting a Theme
Solar System
Civil War

• Begin by identifying a title or theme to
  acknowledge a content area of study. This is the
  hook for your students to engage in meaningful
  activities.

Rainforest
Insects
Explorers
Weather
Making Breakfast
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Units, standards, Curriculum Mapping

• Map Standards and essential skills for a year-
  NETS skills
• Consider three questions
• What do all students need to know for enduring
  understanding?
• What concepts are essential to know and do?
• What concepts are worth being familiar with?

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1- Centers
Structure/sequence of Unit

• Computer center features software of the week or
  the day
• Teacher demonstrates the skill and activity prior
  to student use at center
• Students work with aide, peer tutor, or partner

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2- Daily Lessons
Structure/sequence of Unit

• Daily lessons on the theme
• Progressive activities that build on the skill
  from the day before.
• Activities that are related and sequential

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3- Thematic across content
Structure/sequence of Unit

• Thematic activities for each content area
• Activities do NOT have to be progressive
• Related in theme but not necessarily in skills
• Activity for each content area Math, language
  arts, social studies, science, health, art,
  music, PE

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4- Theme to learn technology
Structure/sequence of Unit

• Theme is the source to focus all activities when
  learning new technology
• Works well in a middle school, when the focus is
  actually productivity skills such as word
  processing, spreadsheet, database, research
  skills, presentation program
• Technology skills build sequentially

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5- Semester Unit
Structure/sequence of Unit

• Semester unit with weekly lessons
• Integrate functional skills in a high school
  setting
• Focus on life, vocational, and community skills
  such as money management, getting a job, health
  care, shopping

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6- Activities related to reading
Structure/sequence of Unit

• Activities to accompany reading text
• Resource teachers with not enough time to
  integrate units with daily reading instruction
• Focus instructional time on remediation
• Use technology to relate stories in reading text
  to big ideas in science or social
  studies.

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7- Focus on Basic Skills
Structure/sequence of Unit

• Units on specific skills or group of standards
• Math problem solving
• Reading comprehension

Outlining skills
Reading for Meaning
Creative Writing
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Incorporating Technology and UDL

• Word processing for content and skill
• Web activities for information and HOTS
• Graphics and text for desktop publishing
• Spreadsheets to contrast and compare
• Software for enhancing concepts
• Multimedia for presentation or concepts
• Assistive Tech for adaptations/accommodations

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Software, Web and Lessons

• Incorporating technology-based activities
• Locating and selecting software
• Creating web-based learning

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Web-based Activities

• TrackStar
• Webquest
• Xcursion Central
• Toolboxes
• Interactive simulations/games

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Software Examples

• Software that relates directly to unit content
• Stellaluna for the unit on Bats
• Software with related context but works on
  skills.
• Earobics with a unit on Pirates
• Software with research related skills
• First Amazing Dictionary
• Laserdisc and CD-Rom Image banks
• for visuals imagery and anchored instruction

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Tools for accommodations

• Software and web sites to enhance/ embellish
  instruction, provide additional or alternative
  information
• Adaptive tools to allow students increased access
  to the general education curriculum

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• Accommodations for web or software-based
  activities.

• Can a "how to" handout provide prompts regarding
  tasks for a particular web site/software?
• Can certain activities in the unit involve
  students working together cooperatively?
• Are there specific learning strategies that
  students can be pre-taught to apply throughout
  the unit?
• Can we predict the content or activities which
  might be more difficult to process?
• Can we predict where students might be lured into
  a game or alternative activity?
• Should a screen reader be used to compensate for
  reading problems?

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Putting it all together

• Follow project outline and rubric
• Write up an annotated list of lessons and use of
  technology.
• Be creative on use of space and formatting.
• Dont wait until the last minute to put it all
  together