Theme

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​AGENDA

YOU NEED

• Reading

• Theme

• Practice

• Reading skills card & book

• Theme Notes

• Chromebook

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​What is the first thing that you see in the image on the top? On the bottom? 

Poll

What will you complete for your reading choice?

• Read Theory

• Reading Skill Card

​Reading Choice

​Read Theory

​Reading Skill Card

1. Choose one skill to work on with your chosen book.

2. Answer the skill question in your notebook.

3. Return your notebook and skill card to the bucket in the back

​Complete 5 or more quizzes with a 70% or higher. 

• Do not rush the quizzes. This lowers your reading level and your grade in class. 

• Look for evidence before answering.

What is a Theme?

Theme: Life lesson, moral, or message about life or human nature that is presented in media.

In other words…
Theme is what the story teaches the audience.

Multiple Choice

The theme of a story is ...

• the main character.

• what the story teaches the audience.

• a short summary of what the story is about.

Identifying Themes

Themes are not clearly stated.
Themes are implied. (suggested, but not clearly said.)

Themes are bigger than the story.
Themes can apply to things OUTSIDE the story.

Theme is NOT

the main idea. The main idea is what the story is all about.

Finding the main idea can HELP you find the theme.

Theme is NOT plot

The plot is what happens in the story. It is the connected events in a story.

Understanding the plot of the story can HELP you find the theme.

QUESTIONS TO ASK TO FIND THEME:

1. What is the problem in the story?

2. How do the characters grow or change?

3. What do the characters learn?

HOW TO TURN YOUR ANSWERS INTO A THEME:

1. Turn the answers into a lesson

2. Make the lesson apply to people outside the story.

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QUESTIONS TO ASK TO FIND THEME:

1. What is the problem in the story?
Simba is afraid to go home and be king.

2. How do the characters grow or change?
Simba becomes brave. He grows by understanding he can’t ignore being king.

3. What do the characters learn?
Simba learned to face his fears. Simba has to be responsible.

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HOW TO TURN YOUR ANSWERS INTO A THEME:

1. Turn the answers into a lesson.
Simba has to face his fears.
Simba can’t run from his responsibility.

2. Make the lesson apply to people outside the story.
Be brave and face your fears.

You cannot run from responsibility.

​These are themes.

Theme is bigger than the story.

Example:
The Lion King

Themes:

• Be brave and face your fears

• You cannot run from responsibility

Non-themes:

• Simba has to face Scar

• Simba has to save Pride Rock
  
  

Multiple Choice

Will a theme have a character's name in it?

(Ex. Loki must learn to trust others.)

• Yes, the theme only relates to the story.

• No, theme is bigger than the story.

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HOW TO TURN YOUR ANSWERS INTO A THEME:

1. Turn the answers into a lesson.
Simba has to face his fears.
Simba can’t run from his responsibility.

2. Make the lesson apply to people outside the story.
Be brave and face your fears.

You cannot run from responsibility.

​These are themes.

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HOW TO TURN YOUR ANSWERS INTO A THEME:

If you have a lesson, but it has the character's name, you have ONE MORE STEP.

2. Make the lesson apply to people outside the story.
Be brave and face your fears.

You cannot run from responsibility.

​These are themes.
- No names
- Can be used outside of the story

Multiple Choice

Will a theme have a character's name in it?

(Ex. Loki must learn to trust others.)

• Yes, the theme only relates to the story.

• No, theme is bigger than the story.

Let's Practice

Multiple Choice

What is the theme of this clip?

• Getting hit with a stick hurts.

• It is important to learn from your past mistakes.

• Simba has to go back home.

Multiple Choice

Susie was waiting for Tina to arrive in the crowded lunch room. She looked through the crowd to see if she could spot Tina from afar. Tina was standing in an area all by herself. She had a nervous look on her face, as there were no other seats available. Thankfully, Susie had saved her a seat, and all was well.

Which is a possible theme?

• Lunch is best when it's crowded

• Friends should look out for each other

• Susie is a good friend.

Multiple Choice

What is a possible theme for the short film?

• Love can be dangerous.

• Your parents will help you always.

• It is okay to be different.

Multiple Select

What is a possible theme for the short film? (choose 2)

• Think through your choices before you act.

• You can't please everyone so just be true to yourself.

• Fears are overcome by facing them.

• The bird should have thought before he pulled the wire.

Multiple Choice

Laura and Clarissa hung out every day after school. Sometimes Clarissa would make fun of Laura. She also would trick her into doing her chores - Clarissa hated cleaning her room. One day, Laura told Clarissa that she was going to start hanging out with Brittany after school instead. Laura even stopped hanging out with Clarissa at lunch.

What is a possible theme?

• Friends support you even when you make mistakes.

• To have a good friend, you must be a good friend.

• Clarissa will lose all her friends.

Open Ended

What is one thing you learned today?

Poll

Do you feel like you understand theme?

• Yes. I understand what theme is and how to find it.

• Somewhat. I think I understand, but I might need more examples.

• I'm starting to, but I need more practice and examples.

• No. I am lost.

Categorize

Options (12)

Mr. Incredible

Syndrome

Simba

Scar

Timon and Pumbaa

Rafiki

Yoda

Robin

Olaf

Gaston

Charles Xavier - Professor X

Mulan

Identify the archetype. (3 for each archetype)

Hero

Villain

Sidekick

Sage