Theme

"Jackson was so excited to start playing baseball for his new team! He loved his teammates, but he started to doubt himself. He wondered if he was good enough to be able to play this season. He worked very hard at practices, and he had one-on-one practice time with his coach. He became so much better after all this hard work, but Jackson still felt like he may come up short. It was the day of the very first game. Jackson put on his baseball cap thinking he wouldn't get to play, but he was ready to support his team. His team was losing by one point, but it was Jackson's turn to bat. The pitcher threw a screwball, but Jackson hit it right out of the park!" What is the theme of this passage?

• Challenges can be overcome with hard work and patience.

• Adjusting to change takes time.

• Stand up for what you believe in.

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.9

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

"Brianna was having a difficult time at school. She was the new kid. She didn't have any friends yet, so she was lonely and sad. She wanted to make new friends, but she was very shy. One day, Brianna was singing in her kitchen, and her mom noticed she had an amazing voice. Brianna's mom suggested that she try out for the school musical. Brianna decided she would. She got the role as a dancing and singing mouse! She couldn't be happier. She gave the best performance ever, and she made so many friends because of it." What is the theme?

• Stand up for what you believe in.

• Help others in a time of need.

• Be true to yourself.

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.9

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

"Luke loves to play tag. He will play it every day at recess, and he doesn't want to play anything else. When he gets tagged, he gets angry. His friends get upset that he is mad because tag is just a game. Luke loves to play tag, but he really does not want to be "it." Everyone else playing tries to make Luke feel better after he gets tagged, but he is still angry. Luke even pushed one of his friends that tried to help him." What is the theme?

• Respect others' opinions, even if you don't agree.

• Selfishness can lead to negative consequences.

• Always try your best.

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.9

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

"Caroline is a sweet, kind girl, but lately another girl named Kinsley has been very mean to Caroline. Kinsley has turned many of Caroline's friends away from her, even though she has done nothing wrong. Caroline still has one friend with her named Rose. Rose said she would always be there for Caroline no matter what happens." What is the theme?

• True friends stand by you when life is difficult.

• Accept the differences of those around you.

• More can be accomplished when people work together.

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.9

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

"Joshua really wanted get a prize from his teacher's prize box. He worked very hard the past week, and he really thought he was going to be able to get something out of the box. He made a mistake, and he did not get to choose a prize from the box. He thought he could take a piece of candy when he was leaving class without his teacher knowing. He left school on Friday without his teacher ever knowing he took that candy, but he felt guilty inside. He told his teacher on Monday morning what he had done. She was disappointed, but she told him that because he told her the truth, she would not punish him." What is the theme?

• Appreciate what you have.

• Growth can come from failure.

• Honesty is the best policy.

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.9

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

"One day at school, all of the students had a super fun time outside, but they got very dirty from kickball. The students tracked dirt into the gym from their shoes. All of the students carried on as normal, and the gym teacher started to clean the gym as everyone left. Danny decided to stay back and help the gym teacher. The gym teacher was really grateful and gave Danny a pack of gum as a thank you." What is the theme?

• Be a helping hand.

• Do only what you have to.

• Actions have consequences.

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.9

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9