Key Assessment: Study Topic

Thematic Unit Requirements

Component Parts of Selected Thematic Unit

A) Study Topic - Select a specific appropriate topic reflecting children’s interests and experiences. Topics that are too broad or not developmentally applicable will not be considered. Examples of this type of topic include Ocean, Rain Forest, Outer Space. Examples of specific appropriate topics are shoes, worms, rocks.

A)

B) Age Level –“Birth through Second Grade” Select an age or grade level.

B)

C) Focus - Develop a one-sentence focus statement that summarizes the direction and intent of the unit.

C)

D) Objectives - Identify three or four specific objectives you wish children to master by the completion of the unit, use the appropriate NC Early Learning Standards for the age of the child.

D)

E) Resources - You will need to cite all resources used throughout the study topic. For example: Internet resources (specific web site), printed resources, magazines, newspaper, journals, audio/visual resources, field trips, etc.

E)

F) Extensions Activities - Complete the attached Lesson Plan Forms in detail. You should also include two extension activities (extended activities or enrichment activities).

F)

G) Discussion Questions – Include at least three open-ended questions that will help children think about the topic in varied and divergent ways.

G)

H) Literature Selections - Select children’s books that relate to the theme and are developmentally appropriate for the children you will be working with

H)

I) Culminating activity - The culminating activity is a project or activity that engages children in a meaningful summarization of their discoveries and leads to new ideas, understandings and connections.

J) Evaluation - Devise appropriate means of evaluating children’s progress throughout the unit based on the objectives chosen above.