"Amigo Brothers" by Piri Thomas

4-Step Strategy for Finding Theme Using "Amigo Brothers"

by Piri Thomas

Step 1: Read the Text

• DIRECTIONS -- Read "Amigo Brothers," answering the guided reading questions on the document as you go.

• Copy & paste this link in a new browser tab to access the "Amigo Brothers" text - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lLkFQ7Xu32uApZCPY5-GXKmzFoZq6xOQavGoTcozVSQ/copy

Step 2: Generate a list of topics

• DIRECTIONS --Copy and paste your bell's Padlet link in a new browser tab.

• Bell 1: https://padlet.com/aforry/vaues4jnu29oohb7

• Bell 2: https://padlet.com/aforry/3jvg3ilensxgkdal

• Bell 3: https://padlet.com/aforry/xiwac2q5tevlsb2z

• Bell 5: https://padlet.com/aforry/egkotjm0id5r75j4

• Bell 7: https://padlet.com/aforry/48su546zivz1ljlx

Open Ended

Step 3: Choose 1 topic from the list. What does the author believe about that topic, based on the events of "Amigo Brothers"? Write a sentence beginning with "The author believes that..."

Open Ended

Step 4: Rewrite your sentence from step 3, removing the phrase, "The author believes that..."

Poll

Congratulations! You just wrote a theme statement! Now, rate your understanding of the 4-step strategy for finding theme. Then, wrap-up your study of "Amigo Brothers" with two multiple-choice questions.

• 4 - This strategy completely makes sense!

• 3 - I've almost got it! I think one more day of practice would help.

• 2 - I'm getting there, but I need some more practice.

• 1 - I don't get it.

Multiple Choice

1. Which of the following describes a theme of the short story?

• A. Competing against friends can permanently alter a friendship.

• B. Some friendships can't be damaged, not even by the strain of competition.

• C. Competitions can drive people to act as they normally wouldn't.

• D. The violent nature of sports can make it difficult to remain friends with competitors.

Multiple Choice

2. Which detail from the text best supports the theme: "Some friendships can't be damaged, even by the strain of competition."

• A. "I just think it's cooler if we split here. After the fight, we can get it together like nothing ever happened" (Paragraph 30).

• B. "When Felix finally left the theater, he had figured out how to psych himself for tomorrow's fight. It was Felix the Champion V. Antonio the Challenger" (Paragraph 42).

• C. "If Felix had any small doubt about their friendship affecting their fight, it was being neatly dispelled" (Paragraph 69).

• D. "The sounds of their blows were loud in contrast to the silence of a crowd gone completely mute. The referee was stunned by their savagery" (Paragraph 95).