Sue Said:

Teachers- How do you store your thematic units and classroom materials? How do you organize it for next year?

We Answered:

That is one of the hardest parts, isn't it?! I have tried many different options and so far my best one seems to be the monthly storage. I got paper boxes from the copy room and put monthly stuff in each one. I used to keep the books in them too, but that got heavy and didn't work as well, so I took a few tubs, put the books in them in order and separated them with a cardboard piece that was labeled with each month.

For my paper masters, I put them in page protectors and put them in binders in month order. That was easier than paging through files that usually ended up falling over and scattering in drawers.

Plastic tubs aren't cheap, but they are nicer than paper boxes because you can see through them. That is an option too.

Sean Said:

I need help with a thematic unit lesson plan. Anyone have an idea for young preschoolers 2-5 for summer olypic

We Answered:

You could tie in some science, studying the body and being healthy. Have them feel their heart rate when they are resting and then after activity, learn about muscles and bones and how they work together to help us move, and hold a "mini-olympics" with relay races and such as the ending activity.
You can also do counting activities such as keeping a running tally of medals U.S. athletes have won (gold, silver, and bronze). Add to it each day and count, then discuss which one is more, less, the most, the least.
You could tie in social studies by learning about China (what houses look like in China, what people eat and wear there, find it on a map/globe, learn a few Chinese words/phrases, etc.)