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Universal Themes

Use these abstract ideas to easily cross content areas and get students making unexpected connections.

Printable List

Power

Introducing Universal Theme of Power
Introducing Universal Theme of Power
So what could you do with a Universal Theme of Power? Well, here’s an introduction that will get your students’ brains sweating.
Power can be Visible or Invisible
Power can be Visible or Invisible
What are examples of unseen Power? And can invisible power be more powerful than visible power?
Invisible Power Can Have Visible Effects
Invisible Power Can Have Visible Effects
Can you think of times when power is unseen, but we can clearly see its effects?
Power Can Be Fast, Slow, Loud, or Quiet
Power Can Be Fast, Slow, Loud, or Quiet
Power may seem loud and fast, but it can also be slow and quiet.
Power Big Idea Worksheets
Power Big Idea Worksheets
Your students will investigate statements like: Power leads to change, Power comes in many forms, Power can be used or abused.
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Order and Chaos

Introducing Order and Chaos
Introducing Order and Chaos
Introduce Order by exploring “written” vs “unwritten” rules.
Chaos Can Be Positive or Negative
Chaos Can Be Positive or Negative
Sometimes we want order, but sometimes we need chaos!
Order and Chaos Hide Inside Each Other
Order Can Be Natural or Constructed
Order Can Be Natural or Constructed
When is order natural and when is it designed by people?

Change

Introducing Universal Theme of Change
Introducing Universal Theme of Change
So what could you do with a Universal Theme of Change? Well, here’s an introduction that will get your students’ brains sweating.
Generalization: Change Leads to More Change
Generalization: Change Leads to More Change
Can you think of a time in your life when “Change lead to more change?”

Systems

Introducing Universal Theme of Systems
Introducing Universal Theme of Systems
So what could you do with a Universal Theme of Systems? Well, here’s an introduction that will get your students’ brains sweating.
Generalization: Systems Are Made up of Other Systems
Generalization: Systems Are Made up of Other Systems
Students will explore how systems are often made up of smaller systems (and are usually a part of a larger system, too).

Conflict

Introducing Universal Theme of Conflict
Introducing Universal Theme of Conflict
So what could you do with a Universal Theme of Conflict? Well, here’s an introduction that will get your students’ brains sweating.
Generalization: Problems Lead to New Rules, Which Lead to New Problems
Generalization: Problems Lead to New Rules, Which Lead to New Problems
Students explore this generation about how problems lead to new rules, and new rules lead to new problems.