1. Flip Discussion 1: Introduce yourself to the class by participating in our Flip 1 Discussion. State your name as you would like to be called, your teaching experience, three fun facts about you, and what you would like to take away from this course. Be sure to thoughtfully respond to at least three peers with either a video or written response. 

Original Post Due Thursday at 11:59 pm

Thoughtful Replies due by Sunday at 11:59 pm.

2. Thematic Teaching Pre-Evaluation: Go to the Thematic Teaching Pre-Evaluation Mentimeter page and complete the survey.

3. Class Readings - Read the two articles listed below.

• Thematic Units - A Highly Effective Way to Engage Learners

• Scenario: Evaluation with Relevance and Interest (SERI): Development and Validation of a Scenario Measurement Tool for Context-Based Learning

4. Padlet Discussion 1 - Go to our Module 1 Padlet and reflect on the lesson that in your experience best engages students. Why does it resonate with your students? How does thematic teaching relate to this lesson? How do you feel about the thematic teaching approach? What are some of the pros and cons? What are some obstacles you foresee? When referencing any material, please use the APA 7th edition style. Your post should be 300 - 500 words. Respond thoughtfully to at least three of your peers' post. You can add your post by clicking on the "Add section" link. Use your name as the section name for your post. Be sure to include your name in all of your replies.

Original Post Due Thursday at 11:59 pm

Thoughtful Replies due by Sunday at 11:59 pm.

1. Case Study Exploration: Go to NCCSTS and/or HHMI and find a case study that aligns with a unit and/or content standard(s) in your course. Brainstorm a theme that you can create using this case study as a guide/inspiration.

2. Padlet Discussion 2:  Go to the Module 2 Padlet. Create a section with your name and add a link to your selected case study.  State the theme that you came up with from the case study, briefly describe the case study, and provide a plan on how you would implement this in your classroom. What content standards does this address? What are the anticipated academic benefits of implementing it? What are some anticipated obstacles? What are some assessment ideas that you have?

Respond thoughtfully to at least three of your peers. Provide a solution to one (if more than one is stated) of their anticipated obstacles. When referencing any material, please use the APA 7th edition style. Your post should be 300 - 500 words. Respond thoughtfully to at least three of your peers' post. You can add your post by clicking on the "Add section" link. Use your name as the section name for your post. Be sure to include your name in all of your replies.

Original Post Due Thursday at 11:59 pm

Thoughtful Replies due by Sunday at 11:59 pm.

1. PhET/HHMI Lesson Evaluation: With your theme in mind, find a virtual lesson from PhET or HHMI. If you have another resource to choose from, feel free to use it. However, please share that resource in our Thematic Teaching Resources class mural so that others may learn about it. Once you have your lesson, create a multimedia presentation (PowerPoint, Slides, Prezi, Adobe Express, video, etc.) that evaluates your lesson. Your evaluation should include the following (but is not limited to):

   • What content standards does it address?

   • How does it tie into your selected theme?

   • What are the features/aspects that attracted you to this resource?

   • How will you modify this to better suit your class?

   • What are some potential obstacles that you anticipate?

   • How will you assess student mastery in a non-exam method?

You can access the PhET/HHMI Lesson Evaluation Rubric here.

2. Padlet Discussion 3: Go to the Module 3 Padlet. Create a section with your name and add a link to your presentation. 

Respond thoughtfully to at least three of your peers. Provide a solution to one (if more than one is stated) of their anticipated obstacles. When referencing any material, please use the APA 7th edition style. Respond thoughtfully to at least three of your peers' post. You can add your post by clicking on the "Add section" link. Use your name as the section name for your post. Be sure to include your name in all of your replies.

Original Post Due Thursday at 11:59 pm

Thoughtful Replies due by Sunday at 11:59 pm.

1. Thematic Teaching How-To: Go to the Thematic Teaching Design How To page and watch the videos and listen to the podcast. 

2. Flip Discussion 2: Go to the Flip Discussion 2. Reflect on the course material so far in relation to your teaching experience. In what ways has your perspective changed? Do you see thematic teaching influencing your future lesson planning? Which of your peers would you like to "shout out"? Why? 

Be sure to thoughtfully respond to at least three peers with either a video or written response. 

Original Post Due Thursday at 11:59 pm

Thoughtful Replies due by Sunday at 11:59 pm.

3. Thematic Teaching Unit Outline Posting (Part 1): Create an outline of a    thematic unit that ties in content standards, essential vocabulary terms, and describes an assessment that is not an exam in a multimedia format (PowerPoint, Slides, Prezi, Adobe Express, video, etc.). Your outline should include:

• the content standards addressed

• essential vocabulary

• a description of four lessons

• a description of 4 formative assessments (one for each lesson)

• a description of a summative assessment that is not an exam, and

• a pacing guide

You can access the Thematic Unit Outline Rubric here.

Keep in mind that your final assignment will be a detailed lesson plan for ONE of the lessons discussed in this outline. You do not need to create actual lessons or assessments. Rather, you should simply describe the material you would present, how you'd assess it, and how the material would be paced.

Go to the Module 4 Padlet. Create a section with your name and add a link to your presentation.  You do not need to respond to any discussions yet.

Due by Sunday at 11:59 pm.

1. Thematic Teaching Outline Discussion (Part 2): Go to the Module 4 Padlet. Review your peers' thematic unit outlines. Respond thoughtfully to at least three of your peers. When referencing any material, please use the APA 7th edition style. Respond thoughtfully to at least three of your peers' post. Use your name as the section name for your post. Be sure to include your name in all of your replies.

Thoughtful Replies Due Thursday at 11:59 pm

2. Thematic Lesson Plan: You will select one of the lessons from your unit outline and write a detailed lesson plan that incorporates at least two web technology tools, allows for student collaboration, and a summative assessment that is not an exam. Your lesson plan should be in an interactive, digital format. (Should resemble something like this page). It should include, but is not limited to, the following:

   • Theme hook - something that will engage students prior to the lesson and that directly relates to your theme.

   • Content standards that are addressed

   • Lesson objective

   • Essential vocabulary

   • At least two web tools with at least one of them allowing for students to collaborate.

   • A summative assessment for the lesson that is not an exam along with a rubric.

You can access the Thematic Lesson Plan Rubric here.

Go to the Module 5 Padlet. Create a section with your name and add a link to your lesson plan.  You do not need to respond to any discussions, but please feel free to view your peers' work.

Due by Sunday at 11:59 pm.

1. Flip Discussion 3: Go to the Flip Discussion 3. Reflect on the course material and your teaching experience. What is your biggest takeaway from your peers' and your own coursework? In what ways has your perspective changed? Do you see thematic teaching influencing your future lesson planning? What new meaningful insights have you come across? Which of your peers would you like to "shout out"? Why? 

Be sure to thoughtfully respond to at least three peers with either a video or written response. 

Original Post Due Thursday at 11:59 pm

Thoughtful Replies due by Sunday at 11:59 pm.

2. Thematic Teaching Experience Self-Evaluation: Go to the Mentimeter Thematic Teaching Reflection page. Complete the reflections.

Due Sunday at 11:59 pm