Determining Theme

What TOPIC or BIG SUBJECT is the author discussing in this passage?

Today was Friday and Mark knew that meant it was Fun Friday at school. All the students were allowed to participate in Fun Friday if they turned in their homework. Mark walked into class and open his backpack. He stared inside and froze. He had left his homework on the counter. He tried to think quickly, what could he say? He could tell Mr. Barnes that his little brother had thrown it away. He could tell him that he dropped it on the bus or he could say that he already turned it in and that Mr. Barnes must have lost it. "Where's your homework, Mark?" asked Mr. Barnes. Mark just hung his head, he couldn't tell a lie. "I left it at home", he said quietly.

• Friendship

• Perseverance

• Honesty

• Compassion

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

What is the theme of this story?

• Don't steal
• Look both ways before crossing the street. 
• Necessity is the mother of invention. 
• One good turn deserves another.

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.9

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

What is the theme of this story?  

• Eat your vegetables.
• Don't brag. Be modest. 
• Don't talk to strangers. 
• Necessity is the mother of invention.

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.9

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

What is the theme of this story? 

• Don't be lazy.
• Have as much fun as you can before you die.
• Don't steal.
• Look before you leap.

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.9

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

• Acceptance

• Loyalty

• Compassion

• Hope

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.9

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

• Differences

• Family

• Teamwork

• Never give up

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.9

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

• Don't give up

• Courage

• Acceptance

• It's okay to be afraid

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.9

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

• Dreams

• Family

• Never give up

• Trust

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.9

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

Which of these things is not related to the "theme" in a story?

• how a character is feeling
• a "life lesson" the main character learns
• a big idea that people from any culture or any place can understand
• the moral of the story

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.9

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

During a baseball game, Tanner tried to tag a player leaving first base. When the umpire called the player out, Tanner immediately informed the umpire that he in fact did not tag the runner. Two weeks later, the very same umpire was at another one of Tanner’s baseball games. Tanner was playing short stop and tagged a runner as they approached third base. When the umpire called the player safe, Tanner didn’t say a word, but the umpire noticed the surprised look on Tanner’s face. “Did you tag the runner?” she asked Tanner. When Tanner told her that he did tag the runner, the umpire changed her decision and called the player out. The coaches and parents were furious, but the umpire stood by her decision.
What is the theme?

• You should cheat to win.
• Always work hard.
• It pays to be honest.
• Teamwork is best.

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.9

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9