Thematic units are absolutely wonderful when it comes to capturing a child’s attention. They offer a structured, yet flexible approach to make lessons more interactive and fun.
Unfortunately, many tutors struggle to keep their students engaged in their sessions, often finding that the material they present fails to capture the students’ attention. This lack of engagement can result in diminished motivation and poor academic performance, as students may feel disconnected from the learning process.
The use of thematic units like ours, makes a wonderful choice for tutors and the children they work with. In this post, we will discuss more about what thematic units are, why they work great for tutoring and how tutors can use them in their sessions.
What Are Thematic Units?
Thematic units in curricula are super important for organizing knowledge; they break down subjects or topics into manageable chunks that fit into the larger curriculum. By laying out these units, teachers and/or parents can create learning experiences that let children really dive into their interests while also connecting to other cool themes.
These units not only help with exploring different subjects but also promote critical thinking among children. They also get them to connect with the material in a way that makes sense to them. In the end, thematic units keep things relevant and interesting in education-making learning a more connected and lively experience for everyone involved.
The following are some things that might be involved in a unit that has a farming theme (just an example):
- Reading a story about what farmers do.
- Writing a journal entry about what they think living on a farm would be like.
- Learning more about what farms produce.
- Solving math problems that include farming concepts.
The result of this is a learning experience that feels meaningful and fun—more like an adventure than a lesson plan!
Why Thematic Units Are Perfect for Tutoring
When you’re working one-on-one with a child (or in a small pod), thematic units provide structure without being rigid. They allow the tutor to integrate multiple skills into one session while keeping things engaging. Here’s why I love using them:
1. They Capture Attention
Let’s face it—if a child isn’t interested, it’s going to be a tough tutoring session. Thematic units allow you to tap into a child’s natural interests. If they love animals, start there. If they’re into time machines or fantasy stories, build a whole week around that!
2. They Help Build Real-World Connections
Learning doesn’t happen in a vacuum. When kids see how math, writing, and science can all connect through a common topic, it makes their learning feel more relevant and useful.
3. They Offer Natural Review Opportunities
Because the theme ties everything together, it’s easier to reinforce skills across multiple subjects without repeating the same type of activity. A student might read about a topic, write about it, and solve math problems about it—all within the same session. That’s powerful, integrated learning.
4. They’re Highly Adaptable
You can scale activities up or down depending on the student’s age, skill level, or energy for the day. Have a learner who needs more movement? Add in a physical activity tied to the theme. Have a gifted learner who needs a challenge? Incorporate a creative writing prompt or research project.
How Tutors Can Use our Thematic Curriculum
1. Choose a Theme That Matches Student Interests
- Quick tutor tip: Start a session with “What’s your favorite topic?” and match it with a related unit.
- Example: A student who loves dinosaurs might be thrilled to explore the prehistoric era of the Time Travel Adventures unit in a math/science lesson.
2. Modify Lessons for One-on-One or Small Groups
- Example: A group activity in our Animal Habitats unit may involve students sorting different animal adaptations—in a one-on-one session, a tutor can make this into a fun “guess the habitat” game using flashcards.
3. Use Multi-Sensory Learning for Retention
- Example: A student struggling with fractions could use a “Geology Rocks!” hands-on activity, where they measure and compare different rock samples instead of just working with numbers on paper.
4. Assess Progress Creatively
- Example: Instead of a test on the History of Writing unit, a tutor could ask a student to design their own ancient writing system and explain how it works.
Final Thoughts
Thematic units aren’t just for classrooms—they’re a game-changer for tutoring, too. They make learning feel alive, personal, and exciting. Whether you’re helping a child catch up, get ahead, or just stay engaged, thematic units offer a flexible and creative way to make every session count.
And if you’re a parent, tutor, teacher or homeschooler looking for help building out these kinds of experiences, you don’t have to go it alone—there are tons of resources (including mine!) to help you create engaging, neurodiversity-friendly learning at home.
Keep checking back to see all of our curriculum units we are creating and putting out!
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