Incorporating Thematic Units for Young Learners in STEM Education

Thematic Center 1 Thematic Center Heather M Higgins 55618027 Penn Foster College ECE 217 Developing Math and Science in Young Children 605095 September 14, 2022 Commented [LJ1]: Thank you for including this well- developed title page.

Thematic Center 2 Introduction In this essay, I will be explaining what thematic units are and its implications for early childhood educators as it pertains to developmentally appropriate practices within the classroom. The age group I chose for the thematic center activities are ages three to five years old. The theme that was chosen was nature. As an early childhood professional, it is important to incorporate thematic units into the classroom learning centers to help foster the learning of your students as well as provide ample opportunities for exploration and understanding of the concepts presented. I plan to incorporate nature as a thematic unit in two of the learning centers within my classroom. The first being called “what shapes does a butterfly have?” for the butte rfly block activity. This activity contains science and mathematics elements. And the second center titled “Birds nest habitat” which will demonstrate two STEM components science, and engineering. Thematic units are “when a teacher utilizes a theme to teac h across some or all STEM disciplines”. (Johnson, 2021). In a traditional early learning classroom, one would find a series of learning centers such as dramatic play, manipulatives, language and literacy center, art, music, and movement. Thematic units help foster the learning in all developmental domains by building on prior experiences and knowledge as well as providing additional opportunities to demonstrate competencies in a variety of ways. An example for how themes can be interwoven into classroom centers would be for the nature theme. Thematic Units are especially important in the observation and evaluation process for the teacher. What better way to assess your children’s learning than to observe them engaging in activities which help strengthen each child’s understanding of the key

Thematic Center 3 concepts to learn in each unit which is the basis for all future learning. When evaluating which thematic units I would incorporate within my classroom, the first consideration shall always be whether the themes are developmentally appropriate? And if they allow for building upon them. In a preschool classroom, I would focus on weather, moods, the calendar, seasons, days of the week, animals, earth science and families and relationships. These themes are central to their understanding of the world around them. I would like to change the center themes once every month or sooner to help retain the interests of my students. In terms of learning center rotation, I would keep the calendar, days of the week and seasons displayed within my classroom by circle time. However, I would allow children to also have a free play center as well. When my students appear to lose interest in a particular unit, I would then change it. If I were to incorporate nature into each of the learning centers, I would provide students with the ability to play dress up in animal or insect clothing. In the block center, there may be buckets or containers of various insects and bugs that the children need to identify. In the reading center, there could be stories which are age appropriate which tell stories about bugs, nature, and insects that each child can read and look through. In addition, the teacher may choose a story to read to the classroom then have the students do a paper cut out or coloring project based off the story. Within the art center, children would be provided coloring book pictures of various animals and insects to color. They would also have an opportunity to do construction paper cut outs of bugs and animals based on the animal theme of the day. Lastly, within the music and movement center, children could sing along to songs in relation to animals, insects, and nature. Commented [LJ2]: Very good. It is so important to keep your finger ont eh pulse of the classroom. When children get bored that’s when misbehavior begins to occur.

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Thematic Center 4 While creating my lesson plans based off STEM concepts and thematic units, I learned of the importance of STEM within the early learning experience, and how each STEM concept helps children build on prior knowledge and experiences.

Thematic Center 5 Block Learning Center Design Plan Theme: Nature Age group: Preschool ages 3-5 years old. Total number of children allowed in center: No more than five at each center to minimize overcrowding and distractions. This classroom consists of 10 students in this preschool classroom. Identify and explain the selected STEM concept (technology or engineering). Engineering. Students will create a butterfly pattern within the body of the butterfly of their own choosing utilizing various colored shaped blocks from the block center. I will provide students with various size and shaped butterfly templates to utilize. Identify at least one measurable goal and one objective for the center. ( Note: The goals and objectives must be linked to your state’s early learning standards and must be related to the identified theme and STEM concept.) According to the NH Early Learning Standards preschoolers should show their progress in Cognitive development as it relates to Geometry and Spatial Sense . Being able to explore and identify appropriate shapes and notice patterns as it relates to the patterns on the butterfly wings utilizing the multi-colored blocks in the block center. List all materials needed for the learning center, including furniture. Table- for activity Butterfly shape cut outs/Blank coloring book pictures of butterfly silhouettes Bucket of blocks of assorted colors and shapes. Identify and explain the activities to be included in the center. ( Note: All activities must be selected for the theme and must support the identified STEM concept.) Each student will have an opportunity to chose a butterfly template. They will explore and create patterns within the butterfly wings using colored blocks of various shapes found in the center. This will also allow them to compare size and incorporate symmetry into this activity. Upon completing their butterfly pattern, they will count the number of blocks they used to fully cover the wings of the butterfly. List all new vocabulary to be introduced to support understanding of the theme or STEM concept. Butterfly, Wings, Patterns, Symmetry, Cocoon, Summer. Identify the title and author of children’s literature that can be included to further children’s understanding of the theme and STEM concept. Ten Magic Butterflies By Danica McKellar List additional resources or materials that can be used to support the selected STEM concept. Butterflies : Colors and Counting By Jerry Paolotta. Can also incorporate an extension or follow up activity in which students constrict a diagram of the butterfly life cycle utilizing things, noodles and rocks to replicate each process a butterfly goes through to gain their wings.

Thematic Center 6 Science/Discovery Learning Center Design Plan Theme: Nature Age group: 3-5 year olds. Total number of children allowed in center: 5 Identify and explain the selected STEM concept. The STEM concept being introduced is Science. Students will be participating in the creating of a birds nest habitat which will help foster their sense of natural science and nature. Identify at least one measurable goal and one objective for the center. ( Note: The goals and objectives must be linked to your state’s early learning standards and must be related to the identified theme and STEM concept.) According to the NH Early Learning Standards students within the 3-5 year old age group should demonstrate developmental progression in their language development as it pertains to receptive verbal communication. Students will demonstrate an understanding of verbal instructions as I explain the activity and it relevance to science and nature. They should also demonstrate understanding of each instruction for creating the birds nest habitat. This can me measured by following a two or three step sequence such as , once you have your materials gathered, you will place your things at the bottom of your basket followed by the leaves and rocks which will be your bird eggs. List all materials needed for the learning center, including furniture. Table -for activity Baskets – provided by teacher to add materials for activity and during outdoor exploration to gather materials. Rocks- to act and serve as bird eggs not yet hatched Twigs Branches Leaves Identify and explain the activities to be included in the center. ( Note: All activities must be selected for the theme and must support the identified STEM concept.) Students will gather materials and create their very own birds nest habitat. I will provide students with small baskets with handles by which they can retrieve their outdoor materials and is what they will use to create their birds nests. They will use small twigs and branches found outside the school along with leaves and small to medium rocks to replicate bird nests left by the mother bird. List all new vocabulary to be introduced to support understanding of the theme or STEM concept. Hatch, Eggs, Baby birds, Nest,

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Thematic Center 7 Identify the title and author of children’s literature that can be included to further children’s understanding of the theme and STEM concept. Bird Builds a Nest: A First Science Story Book By Martin Jenkins List additional resources or materials that can be used to support the selected STEM concept. Sensory Bin to mimick the outdoor environment which could consist of a birds nest, rocks, plastic bird figurines, twigs and plastic eggs to

Thematic Center 8 References Johnson, A. C. (2021). Thematic Units - a highly effective way to engage learners . Thematic Units - A Highly Effective Way to Engage Learners | Education World. Retrieved September 14, 2022, from https://www.educationworld.com/teachers/thematic-units- highly-effective-way-engage- learners#:~:text=Thematic%20units%20are%20when%20a%20teacher%20uses%20a,is%2 0a%20highly%20effective%20way%20to%20engage%20learners . Moomaw, S. (2013). Teaching stem in the early years activities for integrating science, Technology, engineering, and Mathematics (First). Redleaf Press.

Thematic Center 9 Student Number: 55618027 Name: Heather Higgins Assignment # 605095/605097/605091/605093 College This grade of _99%_ is your final and recorded grade for this assignment. It is not possible to revise and resubmit this exam for a higher grade. Grader’s initials _ JL_ Date 10/3/22_ Heather, You have done a very good job with this assignment. You clearly understand the important of and educational value of thematic units and how to incorporate them into learning centers. When writing a several part assignment, be sure to include ALL parts of the assignment in one complete document UNLESS the directions state otherwise. Overall, excellent work! -JL Thematic Unit/Center Graded Project Grading Criteria Exempla ry 100-90 Proficie nt 89-80 Fa ir 79 - 70 Po or 69- 0 Block Learning Center Design Plan: Student has developed a detailed block learning center design plan, incorporating the selected theme and an engineering or technology concept. The plan is complete, detailed, and provides clear explanations of each required component from the template. 20 18-16 16 - 14 14- 0 Science/Discov ery Learning Center Design Plan: Student 20 18-16 16 - 14 14- 0

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Thematic Center 10 has developed a detailed science/discover y learning center design plan, incorporating the selected theme and a STEM concept. The plan is complete, detailed, and provides clear explanations of each required component from the template. Learning Center Design Diagrams: Student has developed one diagram of each developed learning center. Each diagram provides a clear image of how the student would set up the center and how the materials would be stored and displayed. The diagrams are neat, legible, and professional and include all materials outlined in the learning center design plan. 10 8-7 7- 6 6-0 Essay Introduction: The introduction provides the reader with an understanding of what will be discussed in the 10 9-8 8- 7 7-0

Thematic Center 11 body of the essay. Essay Conclusion: The conclusion explains what was learned through the completion of the assignment and how the project will support the student’s teaching practices in the early childhood setting. Essay Paragraph 2: The essay explains what a thematic unit is. The student has clearly explained how thematic units can support development in all domains and all aspects of the curriculum. The explanation is supported by research. 10 9-8 8- 7 7-0 Essay Paragraph 3: The essay explains the student’s plan for incorporating thematic units into their teaching practices and their plans for changing thematic units. The explanation 10 9-8 8- 7 7-0

Thematic Center 12 is detailed and explores:  how themes will be selected  what themes the student would like to cover  how the student will determine what concepts to cover for selected themes  if a set schedule will be used for theme changes  what factors will be considered in determining when a unit needs to be changed Essay Paragraph 4: The essay explains how the student would incorporate the selected theme into the following learning centers:  dramatic play  manipulatives  language/literacy  art  music/movement The student identifies needed materials for each learning center and explains what the children are expected to gain from the thematic unit within each center. 10 9-8 8- 7 7-0 Overall Formatting and Mechanics: 9 9 8 7-0 Commented [LJ3]: In the future, be sure all parts of the assignment are included in one complete document.

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Thematic Center 13 Grammar, spelling, and format are appropriate, including components of APA and professionalism.

ECE 217 STEM Project

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