Article Review: Thematic Units

Here is brief overview of the findings in an article surrounding how to create effective thematic units.

Article:
Horton, T. A. & Barnett, J. A. (Fall 2008). Thematic Unit Planning in Social Studies: Make It Focused and Meaningful. Canadian Social Studies, 41. Retrieved December 1, 2008 from
http://www.quasar.ualberta.ca/css/Css_41_1/ARHortonBarnett_thematic_planning_SS.htm

The following is a brief summary of Horton and Barnett’s (2008) six steps to successful thematic unit plans:
1. Limit the Scope of the Unit: Limit the breadth of a unit topic so that you can go more in depth.
2. Identify Importance: Ask yourself, “What is the point of teaching this topic to students?” and “What makes this topic important?” in order to create focused and meaningful units.
3. Create a “Big Understanding”: Create a statement that includes the significant and enduring points that you want your students to understand at the end of the unit. Steps to creating a “Big Understanding” are: 1) keep the statement to one clear and concise sentence if possible, 2) use language that is appropriate to the age and grade of students, 3) use qualifying words, and 4) compose a statement without specific reference to names, places, dates, and events.
4. Conclude the Unit: Consider the criteria you want to use to assess your students, so that you can come up with a summative assessment strategy that incorporates the “Big Understanding.”
5. Introduce the Unit: You will need to tell students, in this introduction, how they will be assessed, the criteria for this assessment, and the “Big Understanding” statement.
6. Build the Body of the Unit: The lessons should build on each other as you reach the end of unit and assessment. Focus your lessons by asking whether or not they truly contribute to the “Big Understanding.”