E.+Thematic+Instruction

= **Thematic Instruction** =

This page should include your materials for Thematic Instruction. Add a title, graphic, and brief overview of your materials. Include suggested proficiency level, age, and grade span, overview of the topic, brief explanation regarding how the topic and materials support regular education classroom instruction and standards-based instruction, language learning goals, and examples of leveled reading materials. Next, u pload your thematic materials -- make sure they are saved as pdfs. Add at least one page of your materials. Last, add your personal graphic and contact information as a footer.

=EXAMPLE: Thematic Instruction and Excerpts=



Bugs, Bugs, Bugs...and Spiders, Oh My!Thematic Instruction for ESL: Supporting and Enhancing Regular Classroom Instruction **Overview of the Topic:** This selected Science topic provides opportunities for second language learners to further explore insects and spiders while also focusing on language learning skills and literacy development. The thematic approach embeds productive and receptive language and provides opportunities to further explore insects while engaging in tasks that promote English language learner.

**Targeted Proficiency Level, Grade Span, and Approximate Age:** Limited English Proficiency with a few Intermediate ELLs enrolled in 2nd and 3rd grade. Students represent multiple languages. **Explanation:** This thematic example uses classroom content and extends a regular education unit on insects in combining language learning goals and literacy development for ESL students. Carefully selected, leveled literature, as well as academic vocabulary and language learning goals are aligned with content in order to provide enhanced instruction for second language learners. As a result of taking part in the thematic unit of study, students will develop background knowledge regarding spiders, insects and their life cycles in order to utilize content vocabulary within the regular classroom setting. In addition, students will practice and improve the following language skills: a) comprehension, b) academic language, c) oral language, and d) written language.

** Language Learning Goals / Standards: **

** //TESOL National Standards// **

Goal 1, Standard 1 - //To use English to communicate in social settings: Students will use English to participate in social interactions// Goal 2, Standard 1 - //To use English to achieve academically in all content areas: Students will use English to interact in the classroom// Goal 2, Standard 2 - //To use English to achieve academically in all content areas: Students will use English to obtain, process, construct, and provide subject matter information in spoken and written form: a)// retelling information, b) responding to the work of peers and others, and c) representing information visually and interpreting information presented visually.

** //Tennessee ESL Standards// ** Goal 2 – Standard 2 - To use English to achieve academically in all content areas

** Specific Objectives: ** After taking part in a choral reading, engaging in a mini-lesson and discussion on spiders and their life cycles, TSW:

** Leveled Reading Materials: **
 * Utilize language and academic vocabulary to iscuss a spider’s life cycle
 * Sequence the life cycle
 * Distinguish facts from fictional material contained in a story by utilizing story cards and retellings
 * Based on choice and proficiency level, select a group task to complete – Group Tasks: a. write an illustrated sequel to Miss Spider’s Tea Party using “spider vocabulary words” b. conduct Internet research on specific types of spiders and present information
 * Complete a peer-evaluation form of student designed stories and/or research projects
 * Read Rookie Readers to practice “positional words.”
 * Complete a self-evaluation comprehension check activity on “positional words.”



Ages 3-5 (Grades K-1). Early readers for beginning literacy. This introduction to the arachnid world explains how a hungry garden spider obtains food by building a web and patiently waiting to catch something tasty.



Grades K - 3. Students compare the similarities and differences as they learn about the life cycle of spider. This book describes how they hatch, develop, and live in their environment.

Grades 3-5. This book is filled with fascinating information on hundreds of species of arachnid. The photographs are astounding. For the more advanced ELL.


 * JUST FOR FUN (Adapted Reader): **



This easy to read adaptation of the classic, Miss Spider's Tea Party, is appropriate for beginning to intermediate English language learners and provides a "just for fun" story to offset the content material.


 * EXAMPLE MATERIALS FOR ELLS: Fact or Fiction **




 * EXAMPLE MATERIALS FOR ELLS: Researching Spiders and Using Language **



Dr. Dorothy Valcarcel Craig Professor of Education YOED 6020 Department of Educational Leadership dvcraig@mtsu.edu MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY  [|http://www.mtsu.edu]