Central idea and theme

Money is pretty old but nobody knows exactly how old it is. Perhaps the oldest evidence of people using money is in the Code of Ur-Nammu. The Code of Ur-Nammu is a system of laws written around 2050 BC. That’s like 4,000 years ago! Many of Ur-Nammu’s laws carry fines, such as one stating that if a man is proven innocent of sorcery, his accuser must pay 3 shekels. This ancient document shows me two things: Ur-Nammu didn’t tolerate false witch-hunts, and money is very old.  

• This central idea of this passage is that the barter system and some of its shortcomings. 
• This central idea of this passage is that money is old. 
• This central idea of this passage is about sorcery. 
• This central idea of this passage is about life in 2050 BC. 

Tags

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

 It is estimated that over twenty million pounds of candy corn are sold in the US each year.  Brach's, the top manufacturer, sells enough candy corn to circle the earth 4.25 times if each piece were laid end to end.  That's a lot of candy corn, but that's nothing compared to Tootsie Roll production.  Over 64 million Tootsie Rolls are produced every day!  But even Tootsie Rolls have got nothing on the candy industry's staple product, chocolate.  Confectioners manufacture over twenty billion pounds of chocolate in the United States each year.  Now that's a mouthful! 

•  This central idea is about chocolate. 
•  The central idea is how Tootsie Rolls are better than candy corn. 
•  The central idea is about how to circle the earth 4.25 times. 
•  The central idea is about how many popular candies are produced each year.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

Where is the Grand Canyon? Most people think it is in Arizona. However, many other states have their own grand canyons, too. The Waimea Canyon is known as the Grand Canyon of Hawaii. People in North Dakota think of the Painted Canyon in that state as their grand canyon. And Californians use the nickname for a canyon on the floor of the Pacific Ocean. This underwater grand canyon is officially called the Monterey Bay Canyon. 

• The central idea is about how cool canyons are. 
• The central is about how other states have their own grand canyons. 
• The central idea is about Californians. 
• The central idea is about the Pacific Ocean's grand canyon. 

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

As young Americans mature into adults, they are tempted by the allure of easy credit.  Credit card companies attempt to ensnare young people by giving away “free” headphones or sports towels in return for completing credit applications. Many of these young people go on to accumulate debt through undisciplined spending.  They pay much more than the original loan because they are charged a high rate of interest and it takes them years to repay their debts.  It is best to avoid this debt prison altogether.   

• The central idea is about how certain young people should always get free sports towels. 
• The central idea is about how certain young people should stay away from headphones. 
• The central idea is about how certain young people can become burdened with debt.

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

A jingle dress is for special occasions among the Ojibwa people. Often, Ojibwa women and girls wear a jingle dress at powwows. These are social gatherings where people do traditional dances have fun. A jingle dress has small metal cones hanging from it like a fringe. The dress makes a jingling sound when a girl dances. According to a story, a jingle dress helped cure a young girl. That is why the Ojibwa believe that the jingle dress is a healing garment. 

• The central idea is about curing people. 
• The central idea is about how jingle dresses are used for special Ojibwa events. 
• The central idea is about the jingling sounds that Ojibwa dresses make. 

Tags

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

 In his sophomore year of high school, Michael Jordan tried out for the varsity basketball team at Laney High School in Wilmington, North Carolina.  But at five feet and eleven inches tall, the coach believed that Jordan was too short to play at that level, so Jordan was cut 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.  When he finally made the varsity squad, Jordan averaged 25 points a game and went on to become one of the greatest basketball players in history. 

• What is the theme of the story? Growing four inches helps you become a better basketball player. 
• What is the theme of the story? Coaches can be unfair to short basketball players.
• What is the theme of the story? Never give up. Persistance pays off.

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

Tammy and Sammy were both students in Mr. Morton's reading class.  Mr. Morton wasn't too strict about deadlines, and Sammy took advantage of that.  He did all of his homework in his other classes but never bothered to complete Mr. Morton's reading assignments, figuring that he could complete them later.  Tammy, on the other hand, completed each assignment Mr. Morton assigned the night that he assigned it.  She had to stay up a little later, but she didn't want to get a penalty for turning in her reading work late.  Tammy knew reading was a core subject and that she had to keep "C" average for the entire year or she would have to go to summer school.  When the end of the quarter came, Tammy and Sammy had both planned on going to the Enchanted Castle amusement park, but Mr. Morton called Sammy's mother, and she grounded Sammy until he turned in all of his work.  That weekend was horrible for Sammy.  He stayed up until 2:00 AM each night and still couldn't complete all of the assignments.  The whole while, Tammy had a great time eating pizza at Enchanted Castle, watching movies late at night, and enjoying her weekend free of stress and pressure.  At the end of the quarter, Sammy was lucky to squeak by with a "C" minus in reading while Tammy earned an "A."  Sammy still hasn't learned his lesson and probably won't complete this activity either.

• What is the theme of the story? Deadlines are for losers. 
• What is the theme of the story? Mr. Morton liked Tammy better than Sammy. 
• What is the theme of the story? Reading class is hard. 
• What is the theme of the story? It is better to do things right the first time.

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.9

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.8.2

Justin was jealous when his cousin Cassie was named valedictorian of her class. "Some people are just born smart," he told himself later as he watched TV on the couch. He had not been with Cassie all of those times when she studied late into the night. Justin was also jealous when his cousin Victor was elected class president. "Some people are just more popular than others," Justin told himself while playing video games on the couch. He had not been with Victor while he tirelessly campaigned, listened sympathetically to the problems of others, and treated everyone he knew with kindness and respect. When Justin's cousin Matthew became the quarterback for the varsity squad, Justin was envious. "Some people are just more athletic than others," he told himself as he played around on his computer. Justin had not been with Matthew while Matthew trained relentlessly to develop his athletic abilities. "One day something lucky will happen to me too," Justin told himself as he snacked on junk food.

• The theme is that cousins make terrible friends. 
• The theme is: Good things don't just happen to you unless you make them happen. 
• The theme is that some people are just born better than others. 

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.9

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

Grand was a superstar high school athlete from a small town where football was revered. The people of this town placed such a high value on victories that a top performer like Grant was given privileges and exceptions that all others were denied. Grant did not have to struggle his way through rigorous courses in high school. Instead he attended special study sessions with members of the athletic department where the participants studied little other than football. To the surprise of few, Grant was given a full ride to a reputable university based on his athletic prowess, but Grant was not prepared for this new experience. He expected the university to make numerous special exceptions for him as his high school had, and while he did receive quite a few of these exceptions, it was not enough to compensate for how woefully underprepared he was. Despite numerous good faith interventions by the university, Grant failed to get it together, lost his scholarship, and dropped out after his freshman year.

• The theme is that you can hurt people if you help them too much.
• The theme is that football is not that important. 
• The theme is that high schools should not push good grades. 

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.9

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2