“I want to create unit topics that get my students excited, but I’m not creative enough to think of cool ideas.”
I heard this from a teacher friend recently and it got me thinking. Why does she think this? Is it true that there are creative people and noncreative people? I consider myself very creative when it comes to thinking of ideas to use in my classroom, games to play with friends, and story ideas. Since I’m creative (Yes, I’m tooting my own horn here) I never thought of it as something you have or don’t have.
I don’t think people are labeled “creative” and “noncreative”. I think people just need to tap into their creativity.
Choosing unit topics is the first step to ensuring you create units that will get students engaged in their learning.
Today I’m sharing the do’s, the don’ts, and the hows to creating unit topics that get you AND your students fired up!
Be sure to download my free “Roadmap to Curriculum Mapping Success!”. This step-by-step guide will help you better understand the curriculum mapping process. Get it here!
Your Unit topics should…..
–Get you excited to teach!
Please, for the love of all that is fun, do not choose a unit topic that bores you to tears! This is not a time to plan something just to get it done. Choose a topic that gets your creative juices flowing. Choosing a unit topic is only the first step in the curriculum mapping process, so you want to pick a topic that will keep you excited throughout the planning process.
I know I have chosen a good unit topic when ideas start coming to me so fast I hardly have time to write them down. As I mentioned in a previous blog post, what other job allows you to choose which world your students get to live in for the next 6 weeks?
–Have a lot of related resources out there.
I once had an idea to create a unit all about Generation Z. I was reading a book about this generation, which just happened to be the generation my students were a part of and thought this would be a cool idea for a unit. Unfortunately, there were absolutely no teacher resources related to this topic. I searched Generation Z lessons/ units into Google and Teachers Pay Teachers and couldn’t find a thing! I decided I would create my own Generation Z teaching unit. While it’s possible to create your unit entirely from scratch, it’s definitely more challenging.
I recommend that once you have an idea for a unit topic/theme, you do some digging online to see if there are resources out there. I like seeing other resources for inspiration when planning the rest of my unit.
-Connect learning activities to students’ experiences.
You know a unit topic is good when the lessons and content of the unit can link what the students are required to learn with their own life experiences. Using the example I gave above, the unit about Generation Z was good because it included everything the students had to learn (the teaching standards), while including content that the students wanted to learn (they got particularly heated when writing about what stereotypes adults have about their generation and why they aren’t true). You want students to get as fired up about the learning as you were when you planned the unit (See the first point in this section)
Your unit topics should not…..
- Be a book title
I discussed in a recent blog post that unit topics should not be the title of a novel. Do not call your unit “The Charlotte’s Web Unit.” If this were the title, that would mean that every single thing you do with your students revolves around Charlotte’s Web. NO!
Instead, choose a theme that shows up in the novel that you wish to read with your students. In this example, perhaps your unit topic could be “Unlikely Friendships”. (PLEASE NOTE, I JUST CAME UP WITH THIS IDEA WHILE WRITING THIS BLOG POST. I AM NOW IN LOVE WITH THIS UNIT TOPIC AND FULLY INTEND TO USE IT IN THE FUTURE!)
- Take you forever to decide on because you’re trying to think of something “cutesy”
Do not stress about making your unit topic something with a cute title that is “Instagram worthy”. It doesn’t have to be a pun or an alliteration. You will spend so much time trying to think of something that you will exhaust your planning stamina.
How to choose the right topics for you and your students
So how the heck do you choose the right topics for you and your students? Feeling like you lack the creativity to come up with great unit topics that will get both you and your students excited?
I bet you that you are more creative than you realize!
Here are my tips for getting those creative juices flowing….
- Brain dump
Open up a Google Doc, or get out a piece of paper and write down literally every idea that comes to you! Now is not the time to turn down ideas. Any thought that pops into your brain, write it down!
- Listen to your students
Your students have so many ideas and you probably aren’t utilizing many of them. Listen to what students talking about. What are they connecting their learning to? What do they talk about at recess or when they are lined up to enter the school in the morning?
I’d bet your students are giving you teaching ideas every day, you just need to be open enough to listen to them!
- Use social media to your advantage
Do you follow other teachers on social media? Some teachers are posting amazing, creative ideas daily. Check out Instagram, Pinterest, teacher Facebook groups, and Youtube for awesome topic ideas.
- Research
I will often Google things such as “GRADE 4 UNIT TOPICS” to see what comes up. Bonus tip: Look on Google Images when you are searching to get more visual ideas.
- Reflect
Hey, you were a student at one point too, remember? Think about your own experiences as a student. Chances are if you remember a unit from your days as a student, it’s because it was a good one!
Are you even at liberty to make these decisions?
Before planning anything, be sure to check with your school if your district’s curriculum already has predetermined topics that you are required to incorporate in your planning!
Many schools require ELA teachers to teach topics decided based on the Social Studies curriculum.
Final Thoughts…
I love coming up with creative, engaging, and relevant unit topics! I hope you feel inspired and excited to create your unit topics!
Let us know what you come up with! Share a unit topic you have thought of after reading this blog post and comment down below!
PS-Don’t forget to download your free “Roadmap to Curriculum Mapping Success”. It gives your the step-by-step process of mapping your entire year’s curriculum. Download it here!
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