Journeys: Arbor Thematic Curriculum

This teacher resource gives an overview of thematic curriculum introducing studies of human journeys–historical, mythological, and imaginary–and animal migrations, with emphasis on mapping and dramatic play, to kindergartners and first graders at the Arbor School of Arts & Sciences. Theme work gives meaningful context to academic disciplines, allowing children to explore critical ideas, concepts, and works from history, science, and literature as they build literacy and numeracy skills. The units in Journeys include investigations of boats and buoyancy, mapmaking, imagining a fictional journey, studying the historic voyage of The Mayflower, learning about the travels of migrating animals, and following along with Odysseus’s adventures on his long trip home from Troy while learning about ancient Greece and mythology. This book is intended as inspiration and guidance rather than prescription. It is not a set of lesson plans, but articles on some of the most enduring and valuable elements of the Journeys curriculum provide a more detailed picture of how part of each unit might unfold in our classrooms. Narrative assessment of student work is included, and an appendix contains analysis of alignment with the Common Core Standards, the Next Generation Science Standards, and the National Geography Standards.