Find the Theme

Find the Theme

Readers think about how big ideas are portrayed throughout a text in order to write a theme statement about the author’s message.

The Mission

On the next few slides we will hear some short stories. It is up to you to choose the best theme statement for each story.

You will be competing against another 4th grade class.

Kevin's Book Report

Kevin wasn't worried about his book report. He had three whole weeks to get it done. There was no reason to get started right away, especially when he had just gotten a new video game!

The next day, Kevin thought about going to the library to pick out book for his report, but decided to play with his friends instead. He could go to the library on the weekend instead. The weekend came and rather than going to the library, Kevin spent the whole weekend at his cousin's farm. He didn't go to the library the next week either; there was always something fun to do instead.

Two weeks passed and Kevin still hadn't picked out a book. By the time he finally got to the library, where was not enough time to read the book and write the report. Kevin tried to write the report without reading the whole book, but it did not go very well. Kevin failed the assignment.

What is the theme of this story?

• A) School work is more important than playing.

• B) Don't put things off till the last minute.

• C) Kevin should have done his book report first.

Multiple Choice

What is the theme of "Kevin's Book Report?"

• School work is more important than playing.

• Don't put things off till the last minute.

• Kevin should have done his book report first.

Multiple Choice

The theme of the story is always stated clearly in the story by the author.

• Ture

• False

Cassie and her Cookies

Cassie was having a wonderful time at summer camp. Her counselor was really nice and she had made friends with all of the girls in her cabin.

Cassie and her Cookies

One day, a package arrived for Cassie. All the girls in her cabin watched as she opened it. It was a box of chocolate chip cookies. Cassie's mother made the best chocolate chip cookies in the world! Cassie took one out of the box and was about to take a bite when one of the girls asked if she could have a cookie.

Cassie and her Cookies

Then all the girls were asking. Cassie counted the cookies in the box. There were exactly twelve of them. There were ten girls in the cabin. If she gave a cookie to each girl, there would only be two left for herself. Cassie knew that is she shared with one girl, she would have to share with everyone, so she decided not to share at all.

Cassie and her Cookies

Cassie got to eat all of the cookies herself, but from then on the other girls hardly talked to her at all and no one wanted to be her friend.

Multiple Choice

What is the theme of "Cassie and her Cookies?"

• You should always share everything.

• Selfishness leads to unhappiness.

• Cassie did not share her cookies.

Open Ended

Which theme do you agree with most? Explain why you chose that theme by using details from "Anansi the Spider. "

Anyone can have a good idea.

or

Wisdom is inside all of us

Multiple Choice

How can we determine a theme statement?

• Using the pictures

• Focus on the summary

• The author says it in the beginning

• Think about how big ideas are portrayed.

Citations:

www.rachel-lynette.com