Theme

The theme of a piece of literature is the same as its ...

• message

• significance

• subject

You can often infer the theme of a piece of literature by ...

• evaluating how a character has changed
• sharing a character's experience
• determining how the conflict has resolved
• ALL of the above

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.8.2

Even though they were sisters, Suzie and June were nothing alike. If Suzie wanted to jump rope, June wanted to play hopscotch. If June wanted to watch soap operas, Suzie wanted to watch talk shows. Tensions rose to the point that the girls could no longer stand one another’s company. It seemed that they had nothing in common, until the day that progress reports came out. While riding the bus home from school, the girls—startled by how upset the other looked—realized that they were both failing a subject. Suzie was failing math and June was failing reading. Since both girls wanted to pass their classes, they got to talking and agreed to help one another. So everyday after school for the next few weeks, Suzie tutored June in reading and then June tutored Suzie in math. By the time report cards came were distributed, Suzie and June were passing all of their classes. The girls were delighted, but their mother was happiest of all. Not just because her daughters passed their classes, but because they had learned to be good sisters.

• It's better to work together.

• Friendship is everything.

• Two heads are better than one.

• June and Suzie help one another out by learning to work together.

• Everyone should just get along.

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.6.5

All Victor ever wanted to do with his life was be a singer. He didn’t pay attention in school and he spent all of his time at home watching music videos online and impersonating his idols. His mother tried to teach him the value of getting an education and having a backup plan, but Victor would respond the same way every time, “Mom, I won’t need to know any of that boring old stuff when I’m famous. You’ll see.” But there was one major problem with Victor’s plan: he wasn’t any good at singing. Victor wanted to be a singer so badly, that he didn’t notice the pained look on the faces of those who endured his singing. Because he wanted to be a singer so badly, when honest people told him to find something else to do with his life, he accused them of being “jealous haters” and ignored their advice. After Victor dropped out of high school to focus on his music career, the years passed and the doors never opened.

• Victor puts all of his energy into becoming a singer, even though he is a terrible singer.

• Have a back up plan.

• Don't trust strangers.

• Victor should just realize that he's not any good.

• Don't put all your eggs in one basket.

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.6.3

Kim had gone through her closet with her mom over the weekend.  She remembered a new girl at school who always seemed to wear the same pants over and over.  Kim wondered what she could do with the clothes.  She handed the new girl a bag as she passed her in the hallway.

• sacrifice is difficult sometimes
• it's better to give than to receive
• friendship is the most important thing in life
• it's important to be honest

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.9

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

Ben knew his friend was about to receive a check for not being prepared for class.  This would have been the third day in a row he would have to stand out from recess.  Ben gave the pencil to Tim.  Later, Ben received a check and had to stand out from recess.

• it's hard to stand up for your friends
• it takes courage to help your friends
• don't judge a book by its cover
• sometimes sacrifice is necessary to help others

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.3.9

There was a ragged old woman following behind me as I walked down each aisle.  She had a strange look on her face, as her missing teeth distorted her smile.  I rushed to try to avoid her, as I was a little nervous about what she might do.  Come to find out, I dropped some money and she was trying to return it to me.

• Old people are always mean
• don't judge a book by its cover
• you should be aware of others
• it takes courage to stand up to bullies

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.3.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

The three-year-old peered down from the diving board and looked back at his mother behind him.  His knees began to buckle as he took another step forward.  "Splash!"

• it takes courage to accomplish your goals
• you should never give up
• it takes loyalty to reach your dreams
• people make sacrifices for others

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.3.9

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

"You can do it!" shouted her father, as he pushed Chloe and let go.  She was going on her own, but suddenly fell.  She cried, but said, "Again, daddy!" This time she went farther but fell into the ditch.  A few moments later, she was riding down the street, smiling from ear to ear.

• you should sacrifice for others
• your family will do anything for you
• when you are greedy, you will fall down
• you should never give up

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.9

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

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.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.3