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Teaching through a theme is an excellent and fun way to teach many different subjects, all while continuing to have a central concept tie everything together. However, many curricula prevent teachers from fully implementing them into classrooms.
However, if you can swing a thematic unit, pictures books are an excellent way to launch a theme; hence, why they are called "Theme Books." You can use a single book, like "Ants" by Chris VanAllsburg, to launch numerous activities in every subject, including art, music, computers, and physical education. Or, you can use a select few books about one topic, like different variations of "The Three Little Pigs."
Theme books, or thematic units, are a great way to provides a sense of direction; they give students a feel that their work is going towards something, and that everything they learn matters. It also allows for the opportunity to interact with classic literature, something that our society is beginning to lack.
If you'd like to see worksheets and activities associated with a particular book, click on the title link if there is one.
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