For children new to a structured environment, the repetition of information offered when the curriculum is taught through a thematic approach -- using a common theme in all subject areas -- helps ensure that they "get it." Teachers might select a "Farm Life" theme, for example. Using this as a guide in language arts, math, science and social studies, teachers will share language arts vocabulary words numerous times in one school day. The kindergarteners will recognize and sound out words such as "barn," "horse," "cow" and "farm" more quickly when they revisit the words by listening to stories read aloud, practicing simple addition and subtraction, or visiting a local farm.
Kindergarten students presented with a cross-curriculum theme such as "Autumn" can make a stronger connection to the subject matter and develop a deeper understanding of the stories and vocabulary connected with this theme when it is offered along with experiential activities related to science, math and social studies. A teacher might introduce the words "leaf," "tree" and "fall" in language arts, reinforcing and deepening the children's understanding of these words by taking a nature walk with them to experience these autumnal events first-hand. Children might collect different color leaves, using the vocabulary words "red," "yellow," "green" and "brown" to demonstrate color recognition and count "how many." Students might learn more about apples by listening to stories and visiting a farm where apples are grown and sold.
Using a thematic approach to the curriculum allows a teacher to address different learning styles within the theme. Some students are effective listeners, while others need to see the information and others need to move their bodies to reinforce learning. For a "Transportation" theme, kindergarten students might see and hear the words "car," "bus," "train" and "plane" in their language arts lesson, but experience the words in a dramatic play lesson in which they act out the sounds and movements. The class might visit an airport, where they can count the numbers of airplanes taking off and landing.
The connection between words, ideas and stories across the entire curriculum through utilizing a common theme will make a thorough impression on kindergarten students. Learning to recognize and sound out the word "cow" or "apple" or "plane" is one thing, but experiencing the real-life circumstances of and learning some basic facts about them will help to cement the concepts and word recognition in the children's minds. This deeper understanding is made possible by the joining of the day's activities under the thematic umbrella, eliminating the need for separation and differentiation between subjects. The day flows seamlessly, each subject covered in an integrated way as it relates to the chosen theme.