Teaching materials have an important role for teachers and students when the teaching and learning process takes place in the classroom. Learning will become more meaningful and easy for students to understand, when the subject matter taught is in accordance with the environment and local culture of students. The purpose of this research is to develop thematic teaching materials in the perspective of the local culture of the Aru Islands Maluku which are valid, practical, and effective. This study uses the Dick & Carey development model. The results of the expert assessment showed that the teaching materials obtained feasibility for use. Besides that, based on the results of the research, it shows that these teaching materials are effectively used and can improve the learning outcomes of class IV students at SDN Abidjan, the Aru Islands, Maluku.