Now the subject-area textbooks are viewed as just another tool, rather than as the sole decision maker for instruction. The outcome, however, is generally a more comprehensive curriculum, filled with extensive learning experiences, rather than the former minimal content considered necessary for basic mastery, which is the beauty of and why we use a thematic reading curriculum . Collaboration Thematic teaching, it should be readily apparent, is labor-intensive. It takes extra time to replace lessons based strictly on textbooks or workbooks with something new. A vital component is making a real-world connection for students.
Parents can play an important role in sharing their experience and expertise.
It takes time to plan thematic units, and the units themselves generally last several weeks. Because the learning is integrated and collaborative, momentum builds and sustains motivation. Thus the topic can be explored both in its breadth and depth. Despite the fact that empowerment has become somewhat of a buzzword, it is a real factor in thematic classrooms where teachers have consciously chosen to teach in a new way. In particular, thematic teaching challenges both overreliance on textbooks and the compartmentalized school day and its subjects.