Theme #1

The best definition of theme is...

• The answer to the conflict in the story.

• The moral, message, or lesson of a story.

• A word that summarizes the story.

A theme should be a statement, not just one word. 

• TRUE
• FALSE

Which of the following is an example of THEME?

• Carry your laptops with two hands at all times.

• Life is short; make the most of it.

• How much wood a woodchuck could chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood.

A novel can have more than one theme.

• TRUE
• FALSE

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.5.7

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.6.9

What is the first question you have to ask yourself when trying to determine the theme of a story?

• What did the character learn?

• Where did the character solve their problem?

• Who is the main character?

What is the second question you have to ask yourself when trying to determine the theme of a story?

• Why did the character have a problem?

• How did the character change/grow?

• Who is the main character?

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?” he asked Tanner. When Tanner told him that he did tag the runner, the umpire changed his decision and called the player out. The coaches and parents were furious, but the umpire stood by his decision.

What is the theme of the story ?

• You should cheat to win.

• Always work hard.

• It pays to be honest.

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

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.

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?

• Never give up.

• Be honest.

• Always share with others.