thematic approach to learning

What is a thematic approach?
This is a way of teaching and learning, whereby many areas of the curriculum are connected together and integrated within a theme.
It allows learning to be more natural and less fragmented than the way, where a school day is time divided into different subject areas and whereby children practice exercises frequently related to nothing other than what the teacher thinks up, as he or she writes them on the board.
It allows literacy to grow progressively, with vocabulary, spelling and sentence writing being frequently, yet smoothly, reinforced.

It guides connected ideas to follow on easily. Here are a few examples of thematic classrooms.

MY WW2 CLASSROOM

AFRICA
Credit to: Elis Nichols (NQT)

STONE AGE

SUPERHERO

RAINFOREST

PIRATES

MOUNTAINS

Finally, check out this fantastic Alice in Wonderland themed classroom!
Credit to: Sabah Zahoor

The result of working the thematic approach way is that often children:

• will have fun,
  
• will be more actively involved,
  
• will develop learning skills more quickly, as each one is connected to and reinforced by the other,
  
• will be more confident and better motivated,
  
• will present fewer behaviour problems.
  

Do you have a fantastic display or themed classroom? email [email protected] for a chance to be featured on the page.