Determining the Theme

Bobby loves to play Monopoly, but he despises losing. Which means he will do whatever it takes to win. He will steal money from the bank when no one is looking. He will put houses on his property without paying for them. His friends have discovered that he has been cheating and now refuse to play with him. Bobby is heartbroken that he has no one to play his favorite game with now.

• The word "despises" means to love.

• The word "despises" means to hate.

• The word "heartbroken" means to be sad.

• The word "heartbroken" means to have a heart attack.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

In the story about Bobby above, what is the theme or main idea of the story? What made you decide that?

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Part One:

Today was Sean's first day of Middle School. He was excited to learn that in P.E. they would be playing basketball. Despite being shorter than most boys his age, basketball was his favorite sport and he was captain of the team last year. The coach assigned Malik and Steve as captains and told them to pick their teams. Soon it was obvious to Sean who the popular kids were. He was one of the last to be picked. Malik and Steve were joking about who was going to be stuck with Sean on their team.

Question: Were Malik and Steve excited to have Sean on their team? What part of the story led you to this answer?

• Malik and Steve wanted Sean on their team because he was one of the popular boys.

• Malik and Steve did not want Sean on their team because basketball was his favorite sport.

• Malik and Steve did not want Sean on their team and were joking about who was going to get stuck with him.

• Steve was excited when the coach assigned Sean to his team.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.1

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RL.6.1

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

Part Two:

Sean was the last player to be picked and ended up on Malik"s team. As soon as the game started, Sean grabbed the ball, raced down the court and made a basket before anyone could catch up to him. Malik and Steve were shocked! "Beginner's luck," said Steve. Sean made 5 more baskets during the game. Steve became aware of the error he had made. In the end, Malik's team devastated Steve's team.

Question: Mark all of the answers that are true below.

• Sean was very fast.

• Sean was not a good basketball player. He just got lucky.

• Malik"s team won.

• Steve was glad Sean wasn't on his team.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.1

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.9-10.1

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

What is the theme or main idea of the story of Sean playing basketball? What made you decide that?

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2