Thematic Essay Assessment

In a piece of narrative text, what is the "theme"?

• What the story is about
• The topic of the text
• A message the author is trying to get across to the reader
• Where and when the story happens

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.10

CCSS.RI.8.10

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

She sobbed for hours trying to think of a way out of having to tell her father she wrecked her new car. After stewing over it for quite some time, she called her father on his cell phone. "Thank you," he said.

• Sometimes crying is good for you

• it's important to be honest

• Driving a car is a big responsibility

• expereincing loss/grief is difficult

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

The phone rang. She dropped the phone and tears began to drop onto her check. Her lip quivered as she pictured the scene that was described to her. "NO!" she wailed.

• honesty is the best policy

• it takes courage to live life

• experiencing loss/grief is difficult

• you should never answer a mysterious phone call

Ben knew his friend was about to receive a check for not being prepared for class. This would have been the third day in a row he would have to stand out from recess. Ben gave the pencil to Tim. Later, Ben received a check and had to stand out from recess.

• it's hard to stand up for your friends

• it takes courage to help your friends

• don't judge a book by its cover

• sometimes sacrifice is necessary to help others

Kim had gone through her closet with her mom over the weekend. She remembered a new girl at school who always seemed to wear the same pants over and over. Kim wondered what she could do with the clothes. She handed the new girl a bag as she passed her in the hallway.

• sacrifice is difficult sometimes

• it's better to give than to receive

• friendship is the most important thing in life

• it's important to be honest

There was a ragged old woman following behind me as I walked down each aisle. She had a strange look on her face, as her missing teeth distorted her smile. I rushed to try to avoid her, as I was a little nervous about what she might do. Come to find out, I dropped some money and she was trying to return it to me.

• Old people are always mean

• don't judge a book by its cover

• you should be aware of others

• it takes courage to stand up to bullies

The three-year-old peered down from the diving board and looked back at his mother behind him. His knees began to buckle as he took another step forward. "Splash!"

• it takes courage to accomplish your goals

• you should never give up

• it takes loyalty to reach your dreams

• people make sacrifices for others

"You can do it!" shouted her father, as he pushed Chloe and let go. She was going on her own, but suddenly fell. She cried, but said, "Again, daddy!" This time she went farther but fell into the ditch. A few moments later, she was riding down the street, smiling from ear to ear.

• you should sacrifice for others

• your family will do anything for you

• when you are greedy, you will fall down

• you should never give up

The girls were coloring when Mike wanted to join along. One girl moved the crayons closer to them. The other girl proceeded to take the other crayon boxes. Mike had no crayons to use. One girl remarked, "These crayons are ours. Find your own."

• Being greedy is never nice

• you should keep your own things to yourself

• friends should color together

• it's ok to be mean to others when you're coloring

Jim was stacking boxes at work. There was a certain height he had to reach. He stretched his body, but could not reach to place the final box at the top. Bill happened to see Jim struggling and came to his rescue, since he was a foot taller.

• teamwork can accomplish a goal

• tall people are the best

• work hard to reach a goal

• people can be like boxes