Ready-made thematic units to teach in February

You and your children will love these thematic units for February!

What to teach in February

February marks the beginning of Black History Month, the celebration of Valentine’s Day and (depending on the lunar cycle) the festival of Chinese New Year. We have ready-made lesson plans to help you teach all of these thematic units and more!

Here’s our collection of grab-and-go thematic units to teach in February.

Chinese New Year thematic unit

The lunar Chinese New Year varies its date each year and so might be taught in January or February.

In this Chinese New Year Unit your children can:

:: learn about Chinese New Year

:: make a dragon

:: make lanterns

:: play lucky 8s, count to ten in Chinese and play red envelope math games

:: explore sensory painting

:: try a mandarin sensory taste test

Play Academy members can download this Chinese New Year unit with all the accompanying printables here.

Not a Play Academy member yet? Find out more and pick your first unit here.

Black History Month thematic unit

February is the month Black History is remembered and celebrated. In our Black History Month Unit your children can:

:: learn about Black History Month: what it is and why it is important

:: explore identity and make multicultural faces

:: learn about Rosa Parks and make their own ‘bus book’

:: learn about the art of the Gee’s Bend Quilters and make their own quilt project

:: learn about Esther Malangu and try their own designs inspired by south African art

Play Academy members can download this Black History Month unit with all the accompanying printables here.

Not a Play Academy member yet? Find out more and pick your first unit here.

Valentines thematic unit

Fill your classroom with love with our range of valentine-inspired lessons and activities.

In our Valentine’s Unit your children can:

:: talk about friends and relationships

:: explore Valentine math and literacy stations

:: write about who they love

:: enjoy a Valentine sensory tub or play dough

:: bake Valentine cookies

Play Academy members can download this Valentines unit with all the accompanying printables here.

Not a Play Academy member yet? Find out more and pick your first unit here.

100 Days of School thematic unit

Round about now it will be your 100th day of school (depending on exactly when you started back in the summer/fall). Your children deserve a celebration for being 100 days cleverer! This unit also lets them play around with and truly understand the concept of one hundred.

In this unit, using active games, art, journalling, conversation, math and maps your children can:

:: find out what they can do in 100 seconds

:: explore 100s math activities

:: see if they can paint 100 colours

:: journal using our ‘100’ writing prompts

:: have fun with 100 snacks

:: explore and talk about what is 100 miles away

Play Academy members can download this 100 Days of School unit with all the accompanying printables here.

Not a Play Academy member yet? Find out more and pick your first unit here.

Daffodils thematic unit

Spring is coming! Daffodils are often one of the first spring flowers to appear and that is worth celebrating!

In our Daffodils lesson your children can learn about these flowers through science, art and poetry.

:: dissect daffodils and learn about the parts of the plant

:: paint a still life daffodil study

:: make daffodil bunting

:: read and write daffodil poetry

:: make daffodil pinwheels or bunting

Play Academy members can download this Daffodils unit with all the accompanying printables here.

Not a Play Academy member yet? Find out more and pick your first unit here.

Choose from over 50 ready-made thematic units

The Play Academy gives you over 50 grab-and-go thematic units which integrate perfectly with your curriculum. They’re carefully planned to introduce each topic and give children a range of hands-on lesson plans that really engage them in learning and developing cross-curricular skills and ideas.

Each unit is clearly laid out, showing you how to introduce and lead each lesson, so you can pick up your chosen unit and be ready to teach.

You can use individual units and also group units together to build a year-round pathway of cross-curricular leaning based around extended themes including Festivals, Science and Math, Art, and Nature.

Your teaching is about to get a whole lot better and easier!

Take a tour of the Play Academy and choose your first thematic unit here.