Skill: Theme

Theme is...

• The author's message and/or universal lesson you learn from reading a text.

• The author's attitude about the subject.

• The author's mood.

• The overall feeling you get when you read a story.

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.2

Which of the following is NOT a strategy you can use to find theme?

• Character Advice

• Symbolism

• Inferencing

• Tone and Mood

Which of the following is a NOT a theme?

• Love

• Don't judge a book by its cover.

• Treat others the way you want to be treated.

• It pays to be kind to others.

When you make an inference, you are ...

• thinking about the characters and their experiences and then making an observation about them.

• citing evidence from the text, usually a direct quote.

• looking for symbolism

• making judgments about characters, based on what they are wearing.

A young boy wants a pair of high top sneakers like all of the other kids have. The problem is that his family doesn’t have enough money to pay for them. After hours of searching, Jeremy and his mom find a pair at a thrift store. They are too small, but Jeremy buys them anyway, hoping they will stretch. Jeremy discovers a classmate with tape on his worn-out shoes, he wrestles with giving him the shoes. Finally, he does give his friend the shoes. -"Those Shoes"

Which of the following is a possible theme of this story?

• Material possessions are not as important as friendship.

• Material possessions are important to everyone.

• Treat others with respect and you will eventually get what you want.

• Go the extra mile every moment in your life.

This story is about Brian, a boy who feels invisible. He is invisible to the teacher and his fellow classmates. One day, a new boy moves to the school and is laughed at by the other students. Brian writes the new boy a kind note, and they become friends. Through this friendship, Brian also becomes friends with another student. Slowly, he becomes visible again. From "The Invisible Boy" by Patrice Barton

What is a possible theme from this story?

• Even the smallest acts of kindness can change your life.

• Sometimes we do not fit in.

• Fitting in is important.

• Make friends with those who are just like you.

This story is a fictional account of Michael Jordan when he was younger. In the story, Michael is younger and too short to be really good at basketball. His mother tells him to put salt in his shoes to help him grow taller. Eventually, Michael learns that hard work and patience will make him a better basketball player (and taller). From "Salt in His Shoes" by Deloris Jordan

• Be patient and work hard for what you want.

• If you aren't good at something, try something else.

• If you are smart, you will be successful.

• Treat others the way you want to be treated.

What is the difference between plot and theme?

• Plot is the events that happen in a story. Theme is the author's message or universal lesson of the story.

• Theme is the events that happen in the story, Plot is the message the author wants you to learn.

• Plot is based on the theme of the story.

• Theme is more interesting than plot because you can apply it to your life.

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.2

Which of the following is considered to be an element of THEME, NOT PLOT?

• Beginning

• Symbolism

• Resolution

• Rising action

One way to find the theme of the story is to think about what kind of _____________ you would give to the characters to help them?

• advice

• lunch

• friends

• theme