Chapter 6b

Interdisciplinary thematic units are excellent ways to incorporate multiple content areas into one cohesive learning and teaching plan. ITUs may involve one teacher, usually more common an elementary school setting, or may include two or more teachers, such as in the middle school setting where students often spend their day with multiple teachers. It is important that the ITU be of interest to the students and aim to achieve the educational goals and objectives set in place by the teacher(s), school, district, and state. ITUs may take a day, a week, or longer. While planning ITUs, it is essential that educators give each plan enough time and thought so that students are able to fully understand all concepts and information presented throughout the unit.

During my time at Bradley University, I have already created an Interdisciplinary Thematic Unit for 5th grade students. Within my unit, I developed a teaching plan in order for my students to accomplish the goals and objectives I created. I hope to receive more opportunities in my future teaching career, and especially within the middle school setting as I would ideally like to teach 6th to 8th grade, to create interdisciplinary thematic units with a team of colleagues.

Two important points I took away from this section for my future teaching career is to use the backward design and give enough time to the planning process when creating a ITU. Selecting standards, goals, and objectives first, according to the backward design, will give me a better idea of what learning strategies and activities I should incorporate for an effective unit. In order for a successful unit, I will plan well ahead of time so that I can clearly think through each step, revise and edit the unit, and allow my colleagues and other mentors to look over the unit and give critiques. I look forward to creating and further developing ITUs someday soon as my teaching career quickly approaches.