$5 - $10 Elementary School English Language Arts Thematic Unit Plans (by date, oldest first)

This packet contains activities designed to enrich any Preschool or Kindergarten study about railroads or trains. The activities will help to reach academic and social goals, and can be used with the themes of "Transportation", "Travel", "Trains" and more.

The activities in this packet include:

★ "Animals on a Train" printable book (in color and B/W)

★ Follow-up activity for the book... "Draw the animals on your train"

★ Poem: "The Big Train" (focusing on color words)

★ Pocket Chart Word Cards for the color words in "The Big Train" and coordinating color train pictures

★Journal page writing prompt

★ Train Math Matching Game

★Train Number Line

★ Printable Train Tickets

★ Printable Train Job Cards (use these to help students remember their role in dramatic play)

★ Signs and a printable banner to enhance dramatic play fun

This Goldilocks thematic unit incorporates literacy learning, math skills and dramatic play.

Printable “Goldilocks and the Three Bears” story book Black/White so children can color the illustrations and take the book home

Pocket chart word cards from the story

Character development activities (focusing on the emotions of the characters)

Apology letter from Goldilocks to the bears

“Big and Small” easy reader book, focusing on size

Sorting bears by size and color

“Whose is it?” activity focusing on small, medium and large

Counting, number recognition and basic subtraction

Printable gameboard to reinforce counting skills

Memory game

“Bears” banner

Printable bear mask (in color or black/white)

Dramatic play placemats

Kids love songs! Use these original rhyming songs/poems to sing and move as you learn about color words. Students will learn to spell color words and focus on easy to read, decodable CVC words as they locate and circle the color word for the day.

Over two weeks of daily activities to use at the beginning of school t introduce your young learners to color words.

This activity is easy to pair with my Color Word Craft Book and Color Word Daily Sheets to round out your perfect intro to teaching color words to your kindergarten or first grade class.

Color Word Craft Book

Color Word Sheets

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Bring the heartwarming and inspiring Disney+ adaptation of Out of My Mind into your classroom with this comprehensive movie guide and activity bundle. Perfect for grades 5-8, this resource engages students in thoughtful discussion, critical analysis, and creative reflection while exploring key themes of inclusion, perseverance, and advocacy.

What’s Included:

Pre-Watching Activities:

• Agree/Disagree/Justify Statements: Students reflect on key themes like inclusion, disability, and perseverance before viewing the movie.
• Author Investigation: Research questions about Sharon M. Draper’s life, career, and motivations for writing Out of My Mind.

During-Watching Questions:

• 3 Open-Ended Discussion Questions: Encourage critical thinking and active viewing, focusing on the film’s characters, themes, and key moments.

Post-Watching Reflection:

• Creative Reflection Choices: Students choose from a variety of activities, including:

• A personal essay exploring connections to Melody’s story.

• A diary entry written from the perspective of a character.

• A 6-panel brochure highlighting the movie’s plot, characters, and themes.

Skills Covered:

• Critical Thinking: Through open-ended questions and reflection activities.
• Research Skills: Investigating Sharon M. Draper’s life and work.
• Creative Expression: Writing diary entries, essays, or designing brochures.
• Empathy and Inclusion: Exploring themes that challenge perspectives and foster understanding.

Why Teachers Love It:

Engaging & Flexible: Perfect for a wide range of learners with multiple activity options.
Low Prep: Ready-to-use activities designed for easy implementation.
Standards-Aligned: Meets objectives in reading comprehension, writing, and critical thinking.

Perfect For:

• Movie Companion Activities
• SEL Lessons on Inclusion and Perseverance
• Sub Plans or Flexible Learning Days
• Cross-Curricular Connections in ELA and Social Studies

This complete guide offers everything you need to turn Out of My Mind into a powerful teaching moment. Inspire your students to think deeply, reflect creatively, and grow in understanding with this must-have resource. Grab it today!

Additional resources with similar themes: 18-Day Disabilities & Equity Unit Grades 6+ Project, Essay, Assessments, Seminar