Theme Practice 1

During a baseball game, Tanner tried to tag a player leaving first base. When the umpire called the player out, Tanner immediately informed the umpire that he in fact did not tag the runner. Two weeks later, the very same umpire was at another one of Tanner’s baseball games. Tanner was playing short stop and tagged a runner as they approached third base. When the umpire called the player safe, Tanner didn’t say a word, but the umpire noticed the surprised look on Tanner’s face. “Did you tag the runner?” she asked Tanner. When Tanner told her that he did tag the runner, the umpire changed her decision and called the player out. The coaches and parents were furious, but the umpire stood by her decision.
What is the theme?

• You should cheat to win.
• Always work hard.
• It pays to be honest.
• Teamwork is best.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

One summer's day, a merry Grasshopper was dancing, singing and playing his violin with all his heart. He saw an Ant passing by working hard to store food for the winter. “Come and sing with me instead of working so hard,” said the Grasshopper “Let’s have fun together.” “I must store food for the winter,” said the Ant,“ and I advise you to do the same.” “Don’t worry about winter, it’s still very far away,” said the Grasshopper, laughing at him. But the Ant wouldn’t listen and continued to work. When winter came, the starving Grasshopper went to the Ant’s house and humbly begged for something to eat. “If you had listened to my advice in the summer you would not now be in need,” said the Ant. “I’m afraid you will have to go without supper,” and he closed the door.
What is the theme?

• share with your neighbor
• work before you play
• be respectful
• don't be greedy

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

A Dog, to whom the butcher had thrown a bone, was hurrying home with his prize as fast as he could go. As he crossed a narrow bridge, he looked down and saw his reflection in the quiet water as if in a mirror. But the greedy Dog thought he saw a real Dog carrying a bone much bigger than his own. If he had stopped to think he would have known better. But instead of thinking, he dropped his bone and sprang at the Dog in the river, only to find himself swimming for dear life to reach the shore. At last he managed to scramble out, and as he stood sadly thinking about the good bone he had lost, he realized what a foolish Dog he had been.
What is the theme?

• Be honest.
• Don't be greedy.
• Always share your things with others.
• Be respectful to others.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Ulysses spent all of his free time reading books and felt that he was very intelligent. One day a nice student from his class asked him if he wanted to go sledding and Ulysses responded, “I’ve read about sledding in books, and it sounds miserable. No, thank you.” On another day, a different friendly student asked Ulysses if he wanted to go out for hot dogs after school. Ulysses responded, “I’ve read that hot dogs are filled with rat parts and pig bellies. No, thank you.” Nobody asked Ulysses to hang out again, but he did read about friends in his books.  
What is the theme of this story?

• Do not judge a book by it's cover
• Money can't buy happiness
• If at first you don't succeed, try again. 
• Learning from books is not a substitute for real life experience, etc. 

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Which sentence from the story best represents the theme of "learning from a book is not a substitute for real life experience"

• One day a nice student from his class asked him if he wanted to go sledding.
• On another day, a different friendly student asked Ulysses if he wanted to go out for hot dogs after school.
• Ulysses responded, "No."
• Nobody asked Ulysses to hang out again, but he did read about friends in his books.  

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Good vs. Evil

• theme
• not a theme

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

In a spell of dry weather, when the Birds could find very little to drink, a thirsty Crow found a pitcher with a little water in it. But the pitcher was high and had a narrow neck, and no matter how he tried, the Crow could not reach the water. The poor thing felt as if he would die of thirst. Then an idea came to him. Picking up some small pebbles, he dropped them into the pitcher one by one. With each pebble the water rose a little higher until at last it was near enough so he could drink.
What is the theme?

• Be persistent.
• Be honest.
• Always share with others.
• Respect your family.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Nature's first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf's a flower; 
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf,
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day
Nothing gold can stay. 
What is the central theme of this poem?

• Nature and man
• Innocence cannot last
• Sunsets and sunrises are beautiful
• Nature and beauty

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.8

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.10

Visible, invisible,
A fluctuating charm,
An amber colored amethyst 
Inhabits it; your arm
Approaches, and
It opens and
It closes; You have meantT
o catch it,And it shrivels;
You abandon
Your intent—It opens, and it
Closes and you
Reach for it— The blue
Surrounding it
Grows cloudy, and
It floats away
From you.
What is the main theme of the poem?

• Jellyfish are beautiful, but should not be touched.
• Most creatures in the ocean are dangerous.
• Jellyfish are interesting creatures and difficult to touch.
• Humans can look at nature, but shouldn’t touch.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.8

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

Visible, invisible,
A fluctuating charm,
An amber colored amethyst 
Inhabits it; your arm
Approaches, and
It opens and
It closes; You have meantT
o catch it,And it shrivels;
You abandon
Your intent—It opens, and it
Closes and you
Reach for it— The blue
Surrounding it
Grows cloudy, and
It floats away
From you.
Which statement best describes the setting in “A Jelly- Fish”?

• “Visible, invisible, / A fluctuating charm,” (Lines 1-2)
• “An amber-colored amethyst / Inhabits it” (Lines 3-4)
• “It opens, and it / Closes,” (Lines 13-14)
• “The blue / Surrounding it / Grows cloudy,” (Lines 16-18)

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.8

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5