The Thematic Education Home School Club EXCLUSIVE MEMBERSHIP
The Thematic Education Home School Club is a membership for busy parents with children whom are home schooled.
It caters for families that want to establish home learning habits and routines that build connections.
We outsource the planning of home learning activities for you, so that you can actually spend time playing and learning with your child/children.
We will offer fun, hands-on activity ideas to engage your children and spark their curiosity about the world.
Specially designed editable format for reporting & recording, with lesson content examples included to make home schooling easy for busy parents.
The club program content is fabricated to guarantee learning is super fun for children of all ages.
A supportive community of like-minded parents who are passionate about raising children who love to learn.
Let us organise the whole years home school program outline for you.
All lesson plans will be structured around the Australian Education Curriculum.
THE SLIDE SHOW EXHIBITS OUR EXCLUSIVE LEARNING PROGRAM TEMPLATES.
THESE FRAMEWORKS WILL MAKE COMPILING ALL YOUR CHILDS LESSON WORK A BREEZE!
DESIGNED FOR DISPLAYING THE STUDENT'S ACADEMIC PROGRESS & ACHIEVEMENTS IN ONE SPACE, TO GUARANTEE YEARLY REPORTING TO THE GOVERNMENT IS EASIER AND LESS TIME CONSUMING.
THEMATIC EDUCATION CURRICULUM
A STEP BY STEP GUIDE SHOWCASING THE PROGRAM WE OFFER.
The Thematic Education Curriculum is built around two teaching methods.
These two educational disciplines are: Theme/Interest - Directed Investigations and Goal - Driven Learning.
Through these two different approaches to teaching, we as homeschooling educators can gain a better understanding of how best to govern our child's learning, implement instruction, and connect with the student.
Our syllabus also incorporates nature as a living teacher into its framework.
All grades are catered to from foundation to year 12.
Advancements in technology have propelled the education sector in the last few decades.
A high tech approach to learning utilizes different technology to aid students in their home school space.
We are now using computers and tablets in the educational setting.
The internet is also beneficial in a homeschool learning space as it provides unlimited resources.
We may also use the internet in order to connect the student with people from around the world.
Direct instruction is the general term that refers to the traditional teaching strategy that relies on explicit teaching through lectures and teacher-led demonstrations.
Direct instruction utilizes passive learning, or the idea that students can learn what they need to through listening and watching very precise instruction. Teachers and professors act as the sole supplier of knowledge, and under the direct instruction model, teachers often utilize systematic, scripted lesson plans.
Direct instruction programs include exactly what the teacher should say, and activities that students should complete, for every minute of the lesson.
Because it does not include student preferences or give them opportunities for hands-on or alternative types of learning, direct instruction is extremely teacher-centered. It’s also fairly low-tech, often relying on the use of textbooks and workbooks instead of computers and 1:1 devices.
These reasons forced me to rethink the way we educate young people and led me to construct The Thematic Education Program.
Our syllabus begins with setting both personal and educational goals and ends with an assessment of the students progress &
achievements.
I have included a detailed description of one Science, Theme - Directed Instruction plan and one English, Goal - Driven Learning Experience for you to refer to.
The Exclusive Thematic Education Home School Club Membership will give you access to the entire syllabus offering lesson plans over the eight learning areas - English, Mathematics, Science, Health and Physical Education, Humanities and Social Sciences, The Arts, Technologies and Languages.
The lesson plans are designed to be used for students of any age group.
The drafted activities follow the predictable sequences in which children acquire specific concepts, skills, and abilities and by building on prior experiences and understandings.
The work samples provided below show my son's capabilities following the lesson plans as a 12 year old home school student.
Cognitive capabilities are different for every child, so modifying progress and achievement performance after each activity or task will be required.
SETTING LONG TERM & SHORT TERM GOALS: (STEP ONE)
Mastering the art of goal setting is a crucial skill that significantly influences a child's development and achievements.
This skill not only keeps them driven but also imparts essential life lessons.
Short-term goals, achievable within weeks or months, offer a quick confidence boost and motivation.
In contrast, long-term goals demand years of consistent dedication.
By setting both short and long-term goals, children can experience immediate achievements while working towards lasting, significant accomplishments.
Setting short-term goals for children can be empowering, enhancing their confidence as these objectives can be achieved within weeks or months.
These goals serve as a roadmap to success, allowing kids to break down their long-term aspirations into manageable steps.
Parents play a crucial role in sustaining their children's enthusiasm and determination toward these short-term goals. Providing words of encouragement, leading through their actions, and closely tracking progress can profoundly influence a child's motivation to attain their goals.
Long-term goals represent ambitious aims requiring sustained effort and unwavering commitment to achieve.
Establishing these goals provides children with a profound sense of purpose and direction, enabling them to maintain motivation and focus on their objectives.
SCIENCE THEME / INTEREST - DIRECTED INVESTIGATION
THEME / INTEREST INVESTIGATION SUMMARY: (STEP TWO)
WHAT IS THE INVESTIGATION QUESTION, TOPIC OR TASK OBTAINED FROM THE THEME OR INTEREST THAT REQUIRES EXPLORATION?
A brief outline of each topic, task or question, covered during exploring the theme/interest.
Along with a short description of all the learning areas investigated.
The student asked the question - What is the science behind hot air balloons?
To explore this question further the student completed "The Tea Bag Rocket" science experiment.
LIST OF SPECIFIC LEARNED CONCEPTS IN ANY GIVEN SUBJECT FOR: ( The Tea Bag Rocket Science Experiment )
Theme/Interest: Different types of Transportation:
Topic: Irreversible & Reversible Changes in Materials (States of Matter).
Task: The Tea Bag Rocket Experiment.
Question: What is the science behind a hot air balloon? (Heat Energy).
As you can see even though the lesson plan idea is based around Science as its field of study.
The theme can actually apply to all educational subject areas.
THEME / INTEREST INVESTIGATION ELABORATION: (STEP THREE)
A detailed elaboration on the investigations listed in the above Summary.
( I have only covered the science column in this sample. )
Note how many activities result from just one Theme / Interest.
These activities also span across all learning areas.
WORK SAMPLES (STEP FOUR)
A record of all learning, resources, activities, lesson plans & work completed by the student when investigating:
What is the science behind hot air balloons:
PARENT ASSESSMENT & STUDENT SELF - EVALUATION: (STEP FIVE)
A short summary on the students learning including the progress and achievements made.
These are linked back to The Australian Education Curriculum Content Descriptions.
ENGLISH GOAL - DRIVEN LEARNING
SETTING SMART GOALS: (STEP ONE)
Goals are the ultimate form of motivation. They inspire us to work toward our life’s purpose and help keep us focused on a key result, or what we really want out of life.
And yet, so many goals go unfulfilled. They can ultimately be a source of confusion and frustration, which often eventually disappear altogether.
The truth is, a goal without supreme clarity is really nothing more than an unattainable dream.
But set right (i.e., SMART), attainable goals are powerful and can fuel extraordinary accomplishments.
Put another way:
Setting a SMART goal vs. just a goal can be the difference between your success or failure.
Instructing children on how to set SMART goals can significantly boost their motivation and achievements.
SMART goals, which stand for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-based, provide clear, focused, and easily trackable objectives.
By adhering to these criteria, children gain a better understanding of their goals' purpose, maintain motivation, and enhance their performance.
A goal is something desired, yet often challenging to attain.
Just adding (and adhering to) the SMART acronym makes reaching your goal much more achievable.
Example of SMART Goals:
Simple Goal: I need to study more.
SMART Goal Components:
Specific: I’m going to study daily so I can master chemistry.
Measurable: I have monthly quizzes to evaluate.
Achievable: I’m good in school and can get great grades when I focus.
Relevant: I want to graduate after acquiring complete knowledge & skills in chemistry and have the opportunity for a great career in this field.
Time-bound: I want to acquire complete knowledge & skills in chemistry when I graduate in a year.
Complete SMART Goal:
I will study daily to continually improve my grades, proven by my quizzes, in chemistry to graduate with complete knowledge & skills in one year.
GOAL - DRIVEN LEARNING SUMMARY: (STEP TWO)
( I have only included a key goal for English in this sample. )
GOAL DRIVEN LEARNING - GOAL ELABORATION: (STEP THREE)
A brief outline of each step required to achieve the key English goal set above in step two.
A summary of teaching, learning, resources, monitoring & recording and associated experiences for the activity
" A Letter to the Mayor " can be seen below.
The letter written by the student is an example of persuasive writing, this is because the written work tries to convince the reader of the writer's opinion.
WORK SAMPLES (STEP FOUR)
A record of all learning, resources, activities, lesson plans & work completed by the student when investigating:
" A Letter to the Mayor. " ( Persuasive Writing )
PARENT ASSESSMENT & STUDENT SELF - EVALUATION: (STEP FIVE)
A short summary on the students learning including the progress and achievements made.
These are linked back to The Australian Education Curriculum Content Descriptions.
Monitoring your child's progress is vital for assessing their development and making necessary adjustments.
It ensures their accountability and keeps them motivated to stay on course.
Regularly reviewing your child's goals helps maintain their focus and allows for celebrating their achievements along the way.
Consider another situation: if your child aims to enhance their math skills, scheduling weekly check-ins to evaluate their progress can keep them motivated and concentrated on their goal.
These check-ins also provide opportunities to address challenges together and brainstorm potential solutions, fostering a collaborative and supportive environment.
Establishing personal growth goals equips your child with problem-solving skills, enabling them to make well-founded decisions based on evidence and reasoning. Pursuing these objectives lays a robust foundation for critical thinking and personal development, enriching their skills for a lifetime.
Research demonstrates that quality assessment can have a greater positive impact on student learning than any other intervention.
The primary purpose of assessment is to promote learning.
Assessment provides evidence of how students are progressing according to defined standards, as well as achievement at the end of the learning period.
EXAMPLES OF THE RESOURCES OUR EXCLUSIVE CLUB MEMBERSHIP OFFERS.
You will gain access to a huge variety of WEBSITE LINKS and PDF DOCUMENT FILES.
All Grades from Foundation to Year 12 are catered for over all 8 learning areas/subjects.
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The Arts.
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English.
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Health and Physical Education.
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Humanities and Social Sciences.
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Languages.
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Mathematics.
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Science.
We provide Lesson Plan Ideas and
Student Learning information for grades Foundation to year 12 covering all 8 learning areas/subjects, along with informative video lesson playlists for the home school student to follow.
We link all activities back to the Australian Education Curriculum.
Ancient History Year 11 & 12 Lesson Plan Ideas
Ancient History Year 11 & 12 Student Learning from Lesson Plans.
Year 5 Math Lessons Playlist
NATURE AS A LIVING TEACHER :
In this section of the curriculum we incorporate the teachings of :
The Jane Goodall Institute Australia and Coyote's Guide to Connecting with Nature.
The Jane Goodall Institute Australia Roots & Shoots Program:
Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots is a youth service program for Australian young people of all ages.
It's mission is to foster respect and compassion for all living things, to promote understanding of all cultures and beliefs,
and to inspire each individual to take action to make the world a better place for people, other animals, and the environment.
Roots & Shoots is a global network of young people taking action to improve our world.
It is a youth-led action program that is currently making a difference in over 50 countries.
It builds on Dr. Jane’s legacy and vision of placing the power and responsibility for creating solutions to big challenges in the hands of the young people.
All around the world today, youth are exploring problems in their communities around animals, people and the environment, brainstorming solutions and creating projects that help to solve the problems.
Roots & Shoots is a program that is different for each and every member around the world.
For instance, a project that works for inner city kids in Australia is going to differ enormously from a project that works in remote towns in Australia.
Thematic Education's - Nature As A Living Teacher Syllabus uses The JGIA Resource Box Program:
The Jane Goodall Roots & Shoots Resource Box for schools is an initiative of the Jane Goodall Institute Australia (JGIA), with generous funding support from the Phillips Foundation and the Don Hanson Charitable Foundation.
It’s primary objective is to provide education and promote awareness among students and the community about wildlife, the natural environment and challenges facing the planet.
This JGIA program offers a FREE set of educational resources designed for both schools and homeschooling environments.
The Resource Box is a series of education resources that includes a Parent/Teacher Guide and four books.
The books are accompanied by curriculum aligned lesson sequences designed to assist parents and teachers to ignite environmental custodianship in primary aged students while meeting key learning outcomes.
Educators receive lesson plans, video resources, fundraising opportunities and group support.
Also included is information on how to get involved in the global Roots & Shoots youth-led movement.
Coyote's Guide to Connecting with Nature:
Some of you were fortunate to grow up free to roam in the woods – building tree houses in the wild places near our home with parents and mentors who encouraged you – and you want to pass on the tradition.
Or you may be a member of the first generation that didn’t have that privilege – and you want to resurrect the tradition.
All of us can use the ideas, perspective, inspiration and examples in Coyote’s Guide to help strong nature connections again flourish in our communities.
Part mentor’s manual and part activities guide, this book builds upon the work of the Wilderness Awareness School and presents a novel and distinctive “operating manual” for the No Child Left Inside movement.
Mentoring at Wilderness Awareness School begins with child passions, the aspects of the childhood experience that lead to joy and enthusiasm. Do you recall what you loved to do as a child, what naturally captured your curiosity?
Another integral component to play and learning are core routines of nature connection. Core routines are the underlying practices that become a part of how we connect with the world.
Gratitude practices, storytelling, singing, sensory awareness practices, questioning and tracking are just some of the core routines that shape the wilderness awareness school experience. These habits help us raise our awareness, be receptive to teachable moments and let curiosity lead the way.
Coyote’s Guide embraces children’s playfulness and innate curiosity and lets them, and nature, take the lead.
Thematic Education's - Nature As A Living Teacher Syllabus uses the Fifty-four activities offered in the book to promote valuable learning experiences in the outdoors, advancing environmental literacy in a way that engages the body, mind, and spirit.
This valuable resource also shows how to use games, thoughtful questions, storytelling, and music to instill a passion for learning.
The teachings in the book introduce us to a powerful framework for building nature connection that is adaptable to kids of all ages and at different stages of nature connection.
The book is written by Jon Young, Ellen Haas, & Evan McGown and includes:
1/Principles of Nature Connection
2/Techniques of Coyote Mentoring
3/Routines and Activities for nature connection
Coyote’s Guide reveals the strategy inside the mind of the “coyote mentor” and offers dozens of activities, so you can easily design amazing learning experiences that fit your plan, your people, and your place. It sets fresh standards for environmental literacy that engages body, mind, and spirit.
I hope you enjoyed a sneak preview into our home school education curriculum.
The entire Thematic Education syllabus offers lesson plan ideas over the eight learning areas - (English, Mathematics, Science, Health and Physical Education, Humanities and Social Sciences, The Arts, Technologies and Languages).
The exclusive program uses a combination of Theme - Directed Instruction plans and Goal - Driven Learning Experiences
to cover all academic disciplines, As well as providing insight on how to incorporate Nature as a living teacher into your daily learning routine.
Join The Thematic Education Home School Club to gain access to the complete program, a one year membership is offered.
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