Developing a Thematic, Cross Curricular Body of Knowledge: Putting Theory into Practice in the Classroom.

Noting the importance of whole concept learning as opposed to fragmented non-meaningful facts, this paper presents a unit of study on animal habitats that is geared for a first-grade whole-language classroom in the later stages of the year. The major objective of the unit presented in the paper is for students to be able to identify the habitats of animals. The whole unit last from five to seven days, depending on the time needed for students to grasp the concepts. The paper offers a list of 29 objectives; a materials list; a list of the readings, and writing, science, math, social studies, listening and speaking, and art activities in the unit; unit planning forms for each of the scheduled five days of the unit; a story review form for parents to complete; a student self-evaluation form; an evaluation form for teachers to complete; a list of 10 resources; two sample activities; and a book report sheet. (RS)