Theme

Where can a reader find the theme?

• It stated directly in the text.
• A character tells you.
• The reader must understand what the character has learned.
• Books or movies do not have themes.

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

Which of the following is NOT a theme?

• sharing with others is caring
• money is the root of all evil
• hard work pays off
• love

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

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.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

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.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

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.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

What could be a theme of the following: 
In 1946, Robinson joined the Brooklyn Dodgers.  He became the first African American to play basball in Major Leagues.  Robinson's first game was opening day of the 1947 season. He faced the Boston Braves.  He also faced a hostile crowd. 

• Join the Dodgers 
• Fish out of Water 
• Follow your dreams 
• Always play baseball 

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

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

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

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

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

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

Susie was waiting for Tina to arrive in the crowded lunch room.  She looked through the crowd to see if she could spot Tina from afar.  Tina was standing in an area all by herself.  She had a perplexed look on her face, as there were no other seats available.  Thankfully, Susie had saved her a seat, and all was well.

• Lunch is best when it's crowded
• Be nice
• Friends should look out for each other
• Susie is nice

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9