To theme or not to theme...that is the question!

In two and a half weeks, I will be sitting in the auditorium of the school district's high school listening to an array of speakers. All of these speakers will have a goal in mind whether I am present both physically and mentally, or just physically! I cannot believe the summer break is coming to a close. It seems like yesterday, I was writing a blog post dealing with school beginning "in a month". Wow!


Well, I am having an inner debate. I am a HUGE planner. If you are new to my blog, you will learn that I am a person who is quite frequently described as a "Type A Personality" with everything organized and labeled to the max! I love to organize things. I love to provide a home to all trinkets in a way that is easy to decipher for anyone who enters my room. I feel anxiety when I am in the midst of a mess. Am I alone on this? =/ 


Get back to the topic, Courtney! Okay! Do you use themes? Do you like the idea of themed units? I enjoy creating tools to use in therapy and am currently working on baseball themed articulation and language activities. I sat down the other day and devised what could be a "plan" for themed units. 


I separated them out by month and it looks like this:
September - Back to School, Pirate, Apples
October - Columbus Day, Halloween
November - Thanksgiving, Turkey, Cornucopia
December - Christmas, Snowman, Penguin
January - MLK Jr Day, Snow, Eagles
February - President's Day, Valentine's Day, Hearts, Candy
March - St. Patrick's Day, March Madness, Dr. Seuss
April - Earth Day, Butterflies, Spring, Flowers
May - Cinco de Mayo, Mother's Day


Random themes:
Food - Popcorn/French Fries/Burgers
Comics
Angry Birds
Disney/Pixar


I definitely don't have printables/activities ready for most of these, but I don't need anything dealing turkeys or snow for a while yet, so I will take it one day at a time! You know what I mean! =)


If you have other theme ideas, share them with me! I would love to hear what you are working on! If you don't use themes, do you plan out your weekly sessions or go on a whim? I know some building Principals require lesson plans to either be available or turned in. I do not have to do so, but I know if I am bored with an activity, my students likely are too! This allows for a little change up every once in a while!


Happy Monday!