Transcript Universal Themes - BCSD Static Server

Universal Themes
Bakersfield City School District
Extended Programs Department
GATE Program
October, 2010
PowerPoint adapted from Riverside Unified School District’s GATE Program
Philosophy Behind Universal Themes
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Gate teachers are to take the core
curriculum and look at ways to get
greater depth.
This means demanding more
sophisticated thinking of your
students.
This is achieved by weaving
connections to get a greater fabric
of understanding.
Developing Greater Intellectual Depth
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The process to achieve this combines
the use of universal themes, and
knowledge of specific disciplines with
complex thinking strategies.
Simple
Concept
Complex
Concept
Universal
Concept
desert
environment
systems
igloo
shelter
adaptations
flower
structure
plant growth
systems
How is Using a Universal Theme
Different from Traditional
Thematic Instruction?
Thematic Instruction
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In thematic
instruction the
teacher develops a
theme and makes the
connections for the
students.
All this does is ask
students to know the
content and how it is
related.
Plants
Growth
Insects
Community
Interdisciplinary Thematic
Instruction
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Students have a universal
theme and what appear to
disparate parts or pieces.
Language Arts
They must apply knowledge
in order to make connections.
Often, this approach requires
that students begin with the
complex and work backward to
connect to the simple concept.
Systems
Content Areas
Mathematics
Connections
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When one steps back to view the knowledge,
not from within the discipline, but from
without, one sees that all the parts touch,
overlap, and form a tapestry of interconnection.
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Therein lies meaning for the child seeking
order in a world which appears disjointed
and chaotic.
The true test of an individual’s intellect
may not be in their ability to describe the
uniqueness of an item, but rather in their
ability to state the commonalities that
binds us all.
Generalizations
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In making connections between seemingly
disparate concepts, students begin to form
generalizations.
Generalizations are the basis of
connections.
Universal Themes
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Change
Community
Conflict
Exploration
Force
Order
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Patterns
Power
Structure
Systems
Relationships
Adaptations
Universal Themes and Generalizations
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Change
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Community
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Can be natural or man-made.
Different kinds of change.
Is inevitable.
Necessary for growth.
Has members.
Members share a common environment.
Follow patterns of growth and change.
When one community comes in contact with another
community, change may occur.
Conflict
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Composed of opposing forces.
Natural or man-made.
Intentional or unintentional.
May allow for synthesis and change.
Themes and Generalizations continued
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Exploration
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Force
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Requires recognizing purpose and responding to it.
Confronts the unknown.
May result in new findings or the confirmations of old
findings.
Attracts, holds, or repels.
Influences or changes.
And inertia are co-dependent.
May be countered with equal or greater force.
Order
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May be natural or constructed.
May allow for prediction.
Is a form of communication.
May have repeated patterns.
Are reciprocals.
Lead to one another.
Themes and Generalizations continued
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Patterns
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Power
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Have segments that are repeated.
Allow for prediction.
Have an internal order.
Are enablers.
Is the ability to influence.
May be used or abused.
Is always present in some form.
May take many forms.
Structure
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has parts that inter-relate.
Parts support and are supported by other parts.
May be combined to form larger structures.
Is no stronger than its weakest component.
Themes and Generalizations continued
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Systems
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Relationships
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Work to complete a task or a mission.
Are composed of sub-systems and parts.
Follow rules.
May be influenced by other systems.
Everything is related in some way.
Are powerful.
Change over time.
Have rules.
Are everywhere.
Adaptation
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Occurs over time.
Can be positive or negative.
Leads to change.
Can be planned or spontaneous.
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Learning to use Universal Themes and
Generalizations can be overwhelming in
the beginning, but the concepts will add to
the overall growth of your students
knowledge making the time investment in
the beginning worth it.
PowerPoint adapted from Riverside Unified School District’s GATE Program