Theme, Voice, Children's Lit Review

What is the theme of a story?

• the mood of the story

• The story's setting

• What the author wants to teach the reader

• What the narrator says in the story

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.9

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

Lucy is a superhero. There is an evil villain approaching Lucy's small-town of Gray. Lucy hears of this news, and she instantly begins training so she can defeat him.

What theme can we take away from this summary of a story?

• Friendship is important.

• Treat others how you would like to be treated.

• You must work hard to reach your goals.

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.9

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

Three butterflies notice an overturned honey pot. Two of the butterflies decide to land in the honey and start eating it. But the oldest butterfly stays back. The two butterflies tease the older butterfly, but then get stuck in the honey. What is the moral of this story?

• Overeating leads to illness.

• The first to try something gets rewarded.

• Some treats aren't worth risking your safety.

Tags

CCSS.RL.1.10

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RL.K.5

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.3.9

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

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.3.9

CCSS.RL.4.2

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.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

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

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.9

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

Kevin wasn't worried about his book report. He had three whole weeks to get it done. There was no reason to start right away, because he just got a new video game.

Two weeks passed and Kevin still hadn't picked out a book. By the time he finally got to the library, there wasn't enough time to read the book and write the report. Kevin failed the whole assignment.

• Kevin should have done his report first.

• Don't put things off until the last minute.

• School work is more important the playing.

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.9

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

Kara chose a difficult piece to play for her piano recital. Her teacher told her to pick an easier one, but Kara knew she could do it.

Kara practiced every day after school. When her friends called to see if she could play, Kara told them she couldn't.

The night of the recital arrived. She walked onto the stage and began to play and she knew the piano piece so well. She had played perfectly!

• Hard work pays off!

• Kara practiced a lot and did well.

• It takes a lot of practice to play the piano.

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.9

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

Sarah didn't play with Laila, the new girl in her class, at recess. No one did. Laila had come to their school after winter break. She wore strange clothes and she spoke with an accent.

One day the teacher put Sarah and Laila together as partners on a class project. Sarah was nervous to work with Laila but then they began to talk. She found out the both had little brothers and the both loves to collect seashells.

The next day, Laila invited Sarah over for dinner. The food was different but tasted really good. The girls became good friends.

• Sarah and Laila became good friends.

• Don't judge people before you get to know them.

• Friends are important.

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.9

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9