Theme

1. Sarah's room was a mess. She had books and papers all over her desk and toys were scattered across the floor of her room. She had clothes stuffed under her bed and her dresser drawers were so crammed with things that she almost couldn't open them. Now her assignment was due and it was missing. She looked everywhere in her backpack and in her room and it was nowhere to be found.

What is the theme?

• Honesty is the best policy.

• Money can't buy you happiness.

• Neatness counts.

• Never give up.

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.2

2. James was a person everyone seemed to love. He went out of his way to help anyone that needed help. If someone dropped their books, he was there to help pick them up. If a new kid came to school, he made sure to include them at recess. Then one day, James was playing soccer and broke his leg. He came to school on crutches but it was hard to carry his backpack and band instrument everywhere. Funny thing was, that no matter where he went, everyone wanted to give James help.

What is the theme?

• Honesty is the best policy.

• Money can't buy you happiness.

• Neatness counts.

• Always be kind.

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.2

3. Molly got a brand new puppy from the pound. She named him Max. Molly's parents told her that she could have a dog if she took care of it. So Molly fed Max and gave him water each day. She played with him and brushed him too. The only thing she forgot to do, was to close the back fence when he went outside one day. That's the day that Max got lost and it was the hardest day Molly had ever experienced.

What is the theme?

• Honesty is the best policy.

• Always follow through with your responsibilities even when it is not convenient.

• Neatness counts.

• Always be kind.

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.2

4. Trevor stood at the edge of the mountain and looked down. He knew how dangerous a fall would be but he made up his mind that he would have to carefully climb down a little, to reach his sister who had slipped a few seconds before. No matter how much Trevor's heart raced, he knew that his sister was in trouble and that she needed him.

What is the theme?

• It takes courage to do the right thing.

• Honesty is the best policy.

• Neatness counts.

• Always be kind.

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.2

5. As Alice walked down the sidewalk to school, she noticed that Ryan dropped a twenty dollar bill without noticing it. As he continued walking to school, Alice bent down and picked up the twenty dollar bill. She imagined all the things she might spend it on and how fun it would be to go on a shopping trip with her friends. Then she thought about Ryan and how he would feel when he found the money missing. Sighing, Alice hurried to catch up to Ryan and to give him his money back.

What is the theme?

• Keep up with your things.

• Honesty is always the best policy.

• Neatness counts.

• Always be kind.

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.2

6. Jack looked at Ethan and knew his family was well off. From the expensive tennis shoes he wore to the fancy car his mom picked him up in, Jack could tell Ethan's family never had to hear "Sorry, it's too expensive" or "We can't afford that right now." Jack wished he could have the kinds of things that Ethan had but he knew it would never happen. Every time he saw Ethan, he wished they could trade places.

What is the theme?

• Do the right thing.

• Honesty is always the best policy.

• Neatness counts.

• Be happy with what you have.

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.2

7. From the time Alexis was eight years old, she dreamed of being a dentist. She decided to study science like never before. After high school graduation, she went to college and then to dental school. She studied many nights until she almost fell asleep and she often gave up the chance to do something fun if she had a test the next day. Finally, Alexis became a dentist and had the life she had once imagined.

What is the theme?

• Dreams come true if you are willing to work hard.

• Family is important.

• Work together.

• Accept other's differences.

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.2

8. Elliot could feel the anger rising in him. He wanted to go to a friend's house for a birthday party but his mom asked him to stay home and watch his little brother. Elliot stormed downstairs to talk to his mom again about it but all he got was the same answer. He was so mad that he ran upstairs and slammed the door to his room, which knocked a family picture off the wall. It fell on the wooden floor with a crash and glass went everywhere. Now he not only had to miss the party, he was grounded for a week.

What is the theme?

• Never give up.

• Family is important.

• Work together.

• Tempers bring trouble.

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.2

9. Rochelle begged and begged her mom for a new pet. Her mom was hesitant at first, since this was Rochelle's first pet but agreed in the end since Rochelle promised to take care of it. Rochelle brought her new puppy home from the pound and named it Patches. Patches was an active, sweet puppy but very untrained. The first day he chewed up Rochelle's new shoes and made chew marks on her furniture. Rochelle quickly found out that having a puppy wasn't everything she thought it would be.

What is the theme?

• Never give up.

• Be careful what you wish for.

• Work together.

• Tempers bring trouble.

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.2

10. Samantha hated the fact that her parents moved them in the middle of the school year. She had no friends at school and none in the neighborhood either. Her only sister left for college the year before, so she felt all the more alone. Samantha stayed in her bedroom each day and wrote poetry in her journal to pass the time. She wondered what it would be like to have a friend.

What is the theme?

• Crime doesn't pay.

• What's on the inside is what counts.

• Don't be afraid to try new things.

• Do the right thing.

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.2