Theme

Passage 1

“I want to go to college in China to learn Mandarin and become an interpreter,” Kaitlyn stated.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea. I don’t want you to be that far away from us,” Mom said.

“This is my dream,” Kaitlyn argued.

“Mom is right. If something happens, we won’t be able to help you,” Dad replied.

“I’m 18, and I can make my own decisions. You have to let me grow up.” Kaitlyn declared.

“Our little girl is a young woman. We can’t expect her to live near us forever,” Dad said to Mom.

Mom’s eyes filled with tears. She said to Dad, “I knew the day would come when we would have to let Kaitlyn go. I just didn’t know it would be this soon.”

“Mom, I’ll always be your daughter. I still need you guys, but I have to do this on my own,” Kaitlyn said as she hugged Mom.

“If you really want to go to China, we’ll support you,” Dad said. Mom nodded.

“Thanks, I knew you guys would understand,” Kaitlyn said.

Passage 2

One day, while Luisa was napping on some leaves, a boy caught her in a jar. She woke up and smacked right into the glass. Luisa tried to run up the side, but the glass was too slick. She was soon exhausted and had to lie down in the middle of the jar. The boy took the jar to his room and sat it on his desk.

“Don’t be afraid little mouse. I will take good care of you,” he said.

The boy was true to his word. He made Luisa a nice home. The boy gave her a half-full tissue box for her bed. Every day, he fed Luisa cheese and bread and gave her fresh water. The boy also talked to her softly and petted her gently.

“Why do you seem so sad? I take good care of you. What more can I do?” the boy asked.

Luisa stood on her hind legs and touched the glass with her front paws as if to say, “Let me go.”

The boy understood Luisa’s sadness, so he took her back to where he had found her. He set her down. Luisa quickly disappeared into a hole.

“I will miss you,” the boy said.

Luisa stuck her head out of the hole and squeaked as if to say, “I will miss you, too.”

What is the common theme in both of these stories?

• Everyone makes at least one foolish mistake when they are young.

• Adults do not understand what it is like to be young and happy.

• Children should be kind to animals that they capture in the wild.

• When you truly love someone, you have to set him or her free.

The space travelers were travelling to the moon, when their spaceship suddenly ran out of fuel. They were all frightened to learn that they wouldn’t be able to return to Earth, and could only land on the moon.

• Theme of fear

• Theme of adventure

• Theme of space exploration

• Theme of isolation

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

Which of these is a theme of happiness?

• When the astronaut landed on the moon, he felt loneliness. Thinking there was no one else, he became a little forlorned, though the view of Earth was stunningly beautiful.

• All the family members were dressed in black, with somber faces. They were participating in the funeral ceremony of their deceased relative.

• The religious leader was leading a huge congregation of followers, praying with utmost humility.

• Their marriage ceremony was taking place in a grand hotel. All the eminent people of the city were invited, the reason that the celebration was excellent.

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

refers to the main idea or moral of the story.

• fable

• mood

• tone

• theme

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.3

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.5.5

CCSS.RL.6.3

What is the theme of this story?

• Slowly but surely wins the race.

• Don't be lazy.

• We are stronger together than we are apart.

• If you try to go on your own, you will get eaten by a big fish.

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.6.2