Universal Theme: Change

    Years ago, I attended a G.A.T.E. training that challenged me to think deeply about universal themes. According to the site Envision Gifted, "A universal theme is an organizing concept that transcends time and place, and brings focus to learning across subject areas." I had never heard the term "universal theme," uttered in any academic setting, and, to be perfectly honest, I struggled to understand what the presenter was discussing. Sure, I nodded confidently as she delved deeper into the concept, but the truth was that I needed to let the concept simmer on low for a while in my mental crockpot.  

     Lately, after listening to multiple learning podcasts by Justin Sung ("...a former medical doctor, full-time learning coach, and consultant...), I've come to realize what my experience as a learner and teacher has already revealed to me: learning is messy and not necessarily linear. Every year I understand the concept of universal themes just a tad more than the year before and am better able to integrate facets of them into my instructional planning. 

    Using universal themes enables me to unify instruction across content areas. Here are examples of questions that spark conversations about the universal theme of change:

• Math: How do numbers change when we add to them or subtract from them?
• Science: What is the process by which a caterpillar changes into a butterfly?
• Social Studies: What changes occur in cities when the population increases or decreases?
• Reading: Would using another word in place of _____________ change the author's intent?
• Writing: How would your writing change if you used a more powerful term instead of ________ to indicate how you are feeling?
• Word Study: How does the meaning of ______________ change if we add a prefix or a suffix?

       

Introducing my students to a universal theme at the beginning of each new school year has impacted my instruction as well as student learning in a positive way. Perhaps the greatest impact has been on the cohesiveness of my instruction. In my classroom, I have a poster prominently displayed that reads: Your brain is ALWAYS working to build meaning one connection at a time. Anchoring lesson planning and instruction to a universal theme enables students to frame their learning so that their brains can easily build meaning and make those connections. 

Still caring and sharing, 

Lola E. Jollie