Why Themes?

One of the first things I learned while student teaching was how to make centers. Now I was in the world before clipart and fancy fonts so I went with whatever I could find. Boy times have changed in 8 years. I found an old flash drive with all my old centers and I was both proud and mortified of my work.

You see I love themes. My class loves to switch themes. They ask me weekly about what we are doing the following week. Sometimes I don’t know and I say it is a surprise, whereas other times I will tell them to make them look forward to what we are learning about.

Now when I saw themes, I do not mean total classroom makeover. I have 2 toddlers and that I do not have time for. What I do mean is that our centers, writing, and books are centered around that topic.

For example, this week we are all about superheroes! Why? Well, it is Teacher Appreciation  Week and the whole school was decorated in comics and superheroes. I used this to my advantage.

Superhero's Link on TPT

Our math centers are all about superheroes. Just reviewing skills with what we have learned and adding clipart to the skills makes my students engaged. I match every answer key with the clipart used so that you and the student can easily identify what goes together.  We created our own superheroes this week and are writing a story. In reading we are beginning our research projects on dinosaurs, but our regular centers all center around heroes.

I do try to rotate themes out and keep them interesting and fun. During reading week, which was space themed, we had everything space. It is a lot of work up front, but worth the skills being reviewed with fun.

Superhero Math & ELA

All the centers I create have a copy in color and BW. I do this for teachers who have different printing preferences. Sometimes I like card stock and other times I prefer colored copies. All files include answer keys to make your task easier.

I believe in working smarter not harder. This is one center that can help you do this. Enjoy!

Love,
Mrs. Morenzoni