"My World":
Introduce basic personal information, family members, and daily routines. Focus on describing oneself, one's home, and one's daily life using simple sentences and vocabulary.
"Food":
Explore different types of food, including fruits, vegetables, and meals. Learn vocabulary related to cooking, eating, and food preferences. Activities could include describing favorite foods, ordering food at a restaurant (role-play), or learning about healthy eating.
"Back to School":
Focus on classroom objects, routines, and basic school subjects. Students can practice asking and answering questions about school, describing their classrooms, and learning about school rules.
Labor Day (First Monday in September) – No school; celebrates workers.
Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept 15–Oct 15) – Celebrates Latino heritage and culture.
Indigenous Peoples’ Day / Columbus Day (Second Monday in October) – No school in some districts.
Halloween (Oct 31) – Costumes, candy, and parties (some schools have dress-up days).
End of First Quarter – Possible schedule changes or grade reports.
"Weather":
Learn about different types of weather and clothing associated with them. Activities could include describing the weather, predicting the weather, and learning about seasonal activities.
"Celebrations":
Explore different holidays and celebrations, including Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year's. Focus on vocabulary related to traditions, decorations, and special foods. Students can share their own holiday traditions and learn about others.
Veterans Day (Nov 11) – Honors military veterans; sometimes no school.
Thanksgiving Break (Fourth Thursday in November + Friday) – Family meal tradition; turkey is common.
Native American Heritage Month – Cultural lessons and events in some schools.
Winter Break (Late Dec–Early Jan) – Two weeks off; includes Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and New Year’s Day.
Christmas (Dec 25) – Christian holiday; many public decorations and music.
Kwanzaa (Dec 26–Jan 1) – African American cultural celebration.
New Year’s Day (Jan 1) – Start of the new calendar year.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Third Monday in January) – No school; honors civil rights leader.
Black History Month – Focus on African American history and culture.
Valentine’s Day (Feb 14) – Exchange of cards, candy, friendship notes in some schools.
Presidents Day (Third Monday in February) – No school in many districts.
"Community":
Learn about different community helpers, places in the community, and modes of transportation. Activities could include visiting a local park, learning about different jobs, and practicing directions.
"Animals":
Explore different types of animals, their habitats, and characteristics. Activities could include learning animal sounds, describing pets, and learning about endangered species.
Women’s History Month – Lessons and events on women’s contributions.
Spring Break (March or April) – 1 week off; dates vary by school district.
Earth Day (April 22) – Activities about protecting the planet.
Easter (date varies; sometimes in March) – Christian holiday; some community egg hunts.
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Cinco de Mayo (May 5) – Celebrated in many communities, especially Mexican heritage.
Memorial Day (Last Monday in May) – No school; honors U.S. soldiers who died in service.
"Summer Fun": Focus on summer activities, vacation plans, and favorite summer foods. Activities could include describing summer plans, writing about favorite summer memories, and practicing vocabulary related to water activities and outdoor games.
Juneteenth (June 19) – Commemorates the end of slavery in the U.S.
Pride Month – Celebrations of LGBTQ+ communities.
End of School Year – Graduation ceremonies, field days, yearbook signing.
General Tips for all themes:
Use visuals:
Pictures, videos, and realia (real objects) help students connect language with concrete examples.
Incorporate movement:
TPR (Total Physical Response) activities, such as acting out verbs or pointing to objects, make learning more engaging and memorable.
Provide opportunities for communication:
Pair and group work, role-playing, and games encourage students to use the new language in a meaningful way.
Connect to students' lives:
Relate the themes to their own experiences and cultures to make the learning relevant and meaningful.
Offer choices:
Allow students to choose topics or activities that interest them to increase their motivation and engagement.
Celebrate successes:
Acknowledge and praise students' efforts and progress to build their confidence and encourage continued learning.