Finding the Theme

"Theme"

CCSS. RL.4.2, 4.3, 4.7, W.4.1.B, W.4.9.A,

SL.4.1, SL.4.5

Essential Question: How do I find the theme in a story?

By: Ms. C. Williams

Objectives: After this lesson you will be able to:

• Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text; summarize the text.

• Understand what common themes are.

• Be able to find text evidence to support the theme in a story.

Poll

If I am trying to find the theme in a story. I can ask myself: What did the characters learn?

• TRUE

• FALSE

Look at the characters actions, feelings and where the story takes place. Pay attention to the plot.

Example: In Robin Hood the theme is "social and economic justice"

Looking at fables―short stories that contain a lesson―is a good way to start thinking about theme. watch the following video and see if you can identify the theme.

Multiple Choice

Who are the characters in the story?

• lion and the mouse

• Fox and the lion

• pig and lion

• fox and the mouse

• tiger and the mouse

Multiple Choice

Remembering:What is theme?

• A lesson or moral in a story

• what the text is mainly about

• how the author feels about the text

Multiple Choice

Understanding: Mark had so many toys, but he would not share with his sister. He hid all his toys in his closet so she could not play with them. When his mother came looking for Mark and his sister, she could only find his sister. She handed her a plate of cookies to enjoy. Mark was sure his sister would not share the cookies since he was not sharing his toys. But his sister knew the right thing to do was to share. Mark was so happy that his sister gave him a cookie, that he shared his toys with her. What is the theme?

• Friendship

• Helping others

• Do the right thing and people will follow.

• Practice and persistence pay off.

Multiple Choice

Ryan and Alicia both wanted the same part in the school play. The drama teacher, Miss Flynn, was new, and both Ryan and Alicia wanted to impress her. Ryan told Miss Flynn that he had starred in many plays already. Alicia told her that she had never been in a play, but she had been working hard every day to learn the lines of the part she hoped to get. When Miss Flynn mentioned Ryan’s drama experience to one of the other teachers, he laughed. “The only drama experience he has is the lie he told you,” the other teacher said. Alicia got the part.

• honesty is the best policy

• true beauty is on the inside

• choose your friends wisely

Open Ended

Analyzing:

How did the actions or thoughts of the characters help you determine the theme?

Open Ended

Evaluating:

What else could the author have included in the story to make the theme more clear?

Multiple Choice

^{_{•A ____________________ is a central message or general conclusion about human behavior within a text.  It can be stated directly or indirectly.}}

• Character
• Theme
• Topic
• Conflict

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is an example of theme?

• Love

• Power

• Family

• Good will always win against evil.

Multiple Choice

Which could be a theme?

• Don't give up because you may persevere if you keep trying.

• Music is everything to Madeline.

• Madeline accomplished her goal because she didn't give up.

• Madeline continued to send out demos of her singing.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following could be a theme?

• Matthew rides a roller coaster even though he is really afraid.

• You have to always do what your friends tell you.

• Friendship

• Facing fears and trying new things may lead to enjoyment.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is an example of THEME?

• Carry your laptops with two hands at all times.

• Cereal is the healthiest food you can eat.

• How much wood a woodchuck could chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood.

• Life is short; make the most of it.

Multiple Choice

A story can have more than one theme.

Essential Question: How do I find the theme in a story?

• Creating: PICK ONE OF THE ACTIVITIES: Write a summary about the lion and the mouse. Include the theme.

• Write a short story with a theme and share with the class.

• Make a slide presentation with pictures telling a story, and identifying a theme.

• Record a short video telling a story. Identify the theme at the end.

Poll

Was this lesson easy or difficult for you.