Sample Themes

Theme Building and Evaluation

After selecting an appropriate theme and subtopics, much planning and organization is required. Teachers should research, explore and network with as many colleagues as possible. They must gather suitable materials and consider foundational and learning objectives for the children's development.

Teachers should involve students in the planning and choose thematic activities that are meaningful for them rather than for superficial reasons. They should use a variety of instructional approaches and adapt activities according to students' needs and interests.

They should plan a variety of theme-related and non-theme-related activities so that the classroom does not become theme-saturated, thus losing its appeal. For example, not every activity centre needs to reflect the current theme. Rather, a few focus activity centres should be chosen to include theme-related activities.

Wherever possible, parents/caregivers and people from the school and community should be invited to participate.

The duration of a theme should be determined by the enthusiasm of the students. Some themes will last a month and others only a week, but the closure of a theme should always occur before student interest dwindles.

Both teacher and child involvement should be assessed and evaluated so that information is gathered and reflected upon to assist in future planning.

There are almost limitless possibilities for themes. Some suggested topics follow.

Animals in Winter The Art Gallery Autumn Babies The Bakery The Bank Birds Buildings Camping The Carnival Christmas* Clothing Colours Communication Cooperation Creepy Crawly Creatures Dental Care Dinosaurs Easter* The Family Fishing The Food Store The Forest Friends Gardens The Grain Elevator The Grain Farm Halloween* Hanukkah* Homes The Hospital Hug the Earth

The Library Machines The Market Garden The Mill The Mine The Mixed Farm Modes of Transportation The Museum The Park Peace Pets Plants The Police Station The Pond The Post Office The Powwow The Ranch The Restaurant The River Safety The Senses Space Sports Spring Summer Thanksgiving* Toys Valentine's Day* Water Weather Wheels Winter

* When planning holiday themes, teachers should be sensitive to and, at times make allowances for differing views in the community.

1. Choose a theme based on what the children are interested in and familiar with in their daily lives.
2. Research the theme topic.

3. Involve students and colleagues in plans.

4. Divide the theme into subtopics.

5. Determine the foundational and learning objectives for Kindergarten, the Required Areas of Study and the Common Essential Learnings.

6. Consider Core Curriculum initiatives (Indian and Métis Content and Perspectives, Gender Equity, Resource-based Learning).

7. Determine focus activity centres to adapt and/or set up learning centres within.

8. Plan other instructional approaches, keeping a balance of group and individual, and active and quiet activities.

9. Plan methods of assessing and evaluating students and self.

10. Gather appropriate resources to support the theme. (If asking students for resources, be sensitive to the socioeconomic situation in the community.)

11. Plan methods for communicating with and involving parents/caregivers and community members.

12. Create a thematic classroom environment (e.g., set up related bulletin boards, learning centres).

13. Participate in the theme as a co-learner. Demonstrate sincere interest in acquiring new information and ideas.

14. Include some theme-related and some non-theme-related activities in daily plans.

15. Observe students and assess their involvement.

16. Adapt activities to accommodate students' needs, interests and abilities.

17. Evaluate theme effectiveness for future planning purposes.

Theme Planning Outline

Foundational Objectives (Kdgn., Required Areas of Study, C.E.L.s):



Learning Objectives:



Indians and Métis Content and Other Cultural Content:



Vocabulary:



Concepts:

Sample 1: Theme Planning Chart

Sample 2: Theme Planning Web

Please note that F.O.s is an abbreviation for foundational objectives.

Sample 3: Theme Planning Chart

Foundational Objectives Kdgn./C.E.Ls./R.A.S.	Resources	Instruction Approaches/Methods/ Activities	Evaluation Techniques	Adaptations/ Integration

Click here to get the printable GIF version of this chart.

Integration of Required Areas of Study in Centres

Resources for Teaching This Theme

Audiocassettes, records, compact discs:



Songs, poems, fingerplays:



Books:



Pictures, photos, posters:



Films, filmstrips, videos, slides:



Outings:



Resource person(s):



Other:

Instructional Approaches and Teaching Techniques

Instructional approaches/teaching techniques that will be emphasized:(û)

• activity centres
• brainstorming
• cooperative learning
• demonstration
• discussion
• excursions/outings
• classroom management
• communication
  - non-verbal
  - verbal
  
• cooperative planning
  - colleagues
  - teacher-librarian
  
• pause after questioning
• simplify my language
• speak more slowly
• other:

Evaluating Student Progress

Methods of gathering information that will be used: (û)

• anecdotal records
• observation checklists
• rating scales
• assessment portfolios
• other:

Reflections on Methods of Assessment Used

Theme Evaluation

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