Lessons on Theme in a Story

Theme

ELA

Learning Target: I can identify the theme of a text and support my thinking with evidence

• I can recognize themes with a given text

• I can determine how the text conveys the theme or themes

• I can cite evidence to support my thinking

Multiple Choice

Theme (noun) - the lesson or lessons found within a narrative. A theme is a universal idea, lesson, or message explored throughout a narrative. Theme is what the narrative teaches the readers.

Which sentence uses the coordinating conjunction BUT correctly?

• The theme makes no sense, but I understood it.

• The theme of the story is be kind to people all the time, but I disagree because people are not nice all the time.

• The theme of the movie is always be prepared, but I agree because I am always prepared.

• The theme of the story taught me an important lesson, but I didn't learn it.

Poll

Connection (poll): Think about how the world has changed over the past 8 months. If you had to think of a theme (a lesson) for the last 8 months, which of the following would be BEST?

• No matter the circumstances, human beings remain resilient.

• Covid-19 took a toll on different countries.

• Masks help prevent the spread of the virus.

• In order for society to get through a difficult situation, we must work together and be selfless

How Do You Identify Theme

Remember that theme is HIDDEN  and never told to you.

Theme is revealed by through a narrative's CHARACTERS and PLOT (Setting)

Think about the topics that the narrative addresses. These topics are usually one word and tell the reader what a narrative is about in one or two words. THE LIST OF TOPICS CREATED ABOUT A NARRATIVE WILL HELP YOU FIND THE THEME. 

Open Ended

Think about our book, Inside Out and Back Again.

Now, think about some TOPICS in IOBA:

TOPICS Turned into THEMES:

Survival (Survival takes perseverance and resilience.)

Family (Family will be there for you no matter what.)

War (War can have a devastating effect on people's lives.)

Assimilation (Assimilation is difficult but necessary)

Maturing (Sometimes we have to mature faster than we want)

Open Ended

PRACTICE: Identify the Theme

In his sophomore year of high school, basketball legend Michael Jordan tried out for the varsity basketball team. But at five feet and eleven inches tall, the coach believed that Jordan was too short to play. The coach cut Jordan from the team. Jordan didn’t let this obstacle defeat him. In fact, it pushed him to work even harder. He trained vigorously and grew another four inches the following summer. The next year, Jordan made the varsity squad. He averaged 25 points a game and went on to become one of the greatest basketball players in history.

Open Ended

Practice Identify the Theme

Blaine opened up the present and began pouting. He screamed in a high-pitched voice, "This is Captain Thunder! I wanted Captain Lightning!" His mother looked at him with dismay and handed him another present, which he greedily opened. "Why did you get me a red hat? You know I like blue more," Blaine whined as he threw the hat across the room. His mother straightened her expression and squinted at him. Earlier she had hoped to take some pictures of this moment, but by now she had put away her camera. She sighed and handed him one more present in hopes that this year wouldn't be a total bust. Blaine huffed and opened it. "A Game Box 4000… wow. Where's the Game Box 5000 that I asked for?" His mother could bear his ingratitude no longer. The next time that Blaine returned from his father's house, he was shocked to find that all of these toys and gifts, along with many other of his things, had been generously donated to needy children.

Poll

So, after going over two examples, HOW ARE WE FEELING?

• Stressed

• Ok (so-so)

• Good

• Great

• Confused

Open Ended

PRACTICE: Identify the Theme

Barry liked playing board games, but he hated losing. He hated losing so much that he would do whatever it took to win, even bending or breaking the rules. He'd steal money from the bank and hide it under the couch cushions. He'd skip spaces while he was moving around the board. He'd shortchange others money that they were owed and argue with them about it. Barry's techniques were effective. He did win most of the games that he played, but the people whom he played with were his friends and family, and it didn't take too long until they caught on to Barry's tricks. They tried to tell Barry to stop cheating. They said that the game wasn't any fun when he cheated, but he didn't listen. He continued with his treacherous style of gameplay, until nobody would play with him anymore. Barry may have won a lot of games, but at what cost?

Poll

So, now that we have covered three examples, HOW DO YOU FEEL NOW?

• Stressed

• Ok (so-so)

• Good

• Great

• Confused

Open Ended

READ ALOUD TIME

We will read 151 - 161