Theme Weaving: Tapestries of Learning Presentation
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A Learning Facilitation Concept Developed by William M. Tweedie © 2000 Kenmac Educan International & W.M. Tweedie
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A new concept in Learning, Theme Weaving addresses all the best aspects of Active Learning and Project Based Learning. Student are given more control over content of learning while teachers guide them in learning what they need to in order to make their understanding and communication of what they have learned more effective.
Transcript of Theme Weaving: Tapestries of Learning Presentation
A Learning Facilitation Concept Developed by William M. Tweedie
© 2000 Kenmac Educan International & W.M. Tweedie
Learning Outcomes: Objectives
By the end of the workshop you will:
• Know What Theme Weaving is
• Practice Outlining a Theme Weave
• Begin Applying Theme Weaving as an Instructional Model
What is Theme Weaving?• A process of independent creative thinking,
while collaborating in research and producing products to demonstrate learning.
• Theme Weaving begins with discovering the many theme threads in a story, a film, work of art, or any learning material.
• Each new thread discovered must relate to the previous. Students must be aware of these relationships.
• Ideally, students choose the themes to explore but a wide variety is desirable.
• Facilitator guides the formation of groups allowing for individual exploration
• Each group or individual should explore a different theme
• Each group or individual must produce a product reflecting their learning so you can evaluate.
• Can be undertaken in a single lesson or extended through homework or in Project work
What is Theme Weaving?
Theme Weaving
Meets the CREDE 5 Standards of Effective Pedagogy
• Teachers and Students Producing Together
• Developing Language & Literacy across Curriculum
• Making Meaning
• Teaching Complex Thinking
• Teaching through Conversation
Learning Styles and StrategiesAllows students to work to their learning strengths
and benefit from the diverse learning strengths of their classmates.
Follows the
Principles of Teaching for Quality Learning(Refer to your handout)
Theme Weaving
Weaving ThemesStep 1 – The Subject
You can choose or create stories from the prescribed text or supplemental material that
relates to it.
The following is a short voiceless video from the Department of Tourism of the Province of
British Columbia in Canada entitled:
Call of the WaterLet’s Watch.
Insert Your Visual (video, picture)
Here or handout your material
It is important to prepare students and set learning
objectives!
like all activities in Active Learning, requires skill in
Managing Motivation
Theme Weaving
• Let’s watch again. This time:
• Discover as many different Themes as you can.• The facilitator can assign themes to students but it
is preferable they have some control over the decision making process. For example:
• In pairs or groups, the most themes will get the first choice of what Theme they wish to explore.
• The pair or group that comes up with the most original Theme (voted on by the class) will get second choice, second most – third choice etc.
• Talk in whispers as you don’t want to give your ideas to others!
Theme Weaving
• Step 2 - The process of exploring and developing the Theme begins.
– If vocabulary is your focus, lexical lists may be created
– If writing and grammar are your focus, paragraphs or stories may be written
– If speaking is your focus, class presentations may be prepared
– All the Themes must be woven into the fabric of the original ‘story’ - parts to whole and
• Step 3 - Presented so each group can benefit from the work of others: sequenced reading, wall displays, portfolio work, story telling, etc.
Theme Weaving
Extending the WeaveStep 4 - Here’s the fun part!
• Each Theme discovered can lead to other themes linked to but NOT found in the text, video, etc.
• Students imaginations are fully engaged and Relevance kicks into full gear as they begin to explore other topics they are interested in.
• The facilitator’s role as guide is important here as s/he can lead the students to important learning by suggesting ideas, relating the topic to their lives and interests, etc.
To Illustrate, let’s look at one of the most popular Themes from the video:
Wildlife
First, through visuals, we identify and learn about some of the creatures
indigenous to British Columbia.
Extending the Weave
Make it a challenge whenever possible!
1.How many wildlife creatures can you find in the picture?
2.How many can you name in English?
3.How many of these were in the Video?
4.How many exist in your home country?
• Poems and Rhymes about Wildlife• Wildlife and Currency: Wildlife is worth
saving!• Wildlife Idioms, Sayings, Proverbs• Sounds of the Wild (e.g. identifying the
sounds with the pictures activity)• Comparing Wildlife of Countries• Grouping Wildlife into Categories
(Phyla, time periods…)
Extending the Weave
Outlining a WeaveChoose 2 or 3 Themes from units in a textbook you are using or any material of interest to your
students.
1st - Weave these themes into one general topic• Review the Learning Outcomes• Create a story
2nd - Read the story to the class• The class can follow along in the source
material for picture or other prompts
• 3rd - Begin the theme weaving• Ask the class what themes (aspects)
interested them in the story• Decide on the most appropriate way
the class can demonstrate their learning – give them the objective
• 4th - Decide on your groupings and have them begin exploring their themes
• 5th - Explore ways the themes can be extended
Outlining a Weave
• Actively engaged in Practical and Relevant tasks
• Learning independently in cooperation with their peers
• Carefully guided• Closely monitored
Young minds will astonish you with their creativity and how quickly
they learn!
Theme Weaving
