Theme

What is theme?

• how the reader feels about the story

• the title

• central message or 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

One summer's day, a merry Grasshopper was dancing, singing and playing his violin with all his heart. He saw an Ant passing by working hard to store food for the winter. “Come and sing with me instead of working so hard,” said the Grasshopper “Let’s have fun together.” “I must store food for the winter,” said the Ant,“ and I advise you to do the same.” “Don’t worry about winter, it’s still very far away,” said the Grasshopper, laughing at him. But the Ant wouldn’t listen and continued to work. When winter came, the starving Grasshopper went to the Ant’s house and humbly begged for something to eat. “If you had listened to my advice in the summer you would not now be in need,” said the Ant. “I’m afraid you will have to go without supper,” and he closed the door.

Which best represents the theme or moral?

• Having fun will always pay off

• Work before you play

• Be respectful

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.9

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

Tania broke her mother's favorite snow globe. She knew that she wasn't supposed to pick it up, but it was so tempting to shake it and watch the glittery snow fall. Tania felt so guilty. She knew she couldn't fix it. So, gathering up all of her courage, she walked downstairs where her mother was to confess in a shaky voice what she had done. Her mother scolded her for picking up the snow globe when she was told not to. However, she didn't punish her because she had been honest. Her mother was proud of her for telling the truth. Tania felt so relieved.

What problem did Tania face in this story?

• She was tempted to shake her mother's snow globe.

• She broke her mother's favorite snow globe.

• She was relieved after she told the truth.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.3

CCSS.RL.3.3

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

Tania broke her mother's favorite snow globe. She knew that she wasn't supposed to pick it up, but it was so tempting to shake it and watch the glittery snow fall. Tania felt so guilty. She knew she couldn't fix it. So, gathering up all of her courage, she walked downstairs where her mother was to confess in a shaky voice what she had done. Her mother scolded her for picking up the snow globe when she was told not to. However, she didn't punish her because she had been honest. Her mother was proud of her for telling the truth. Tania felt so relieved.

How did Tania end up solving the problem?

• She felt guilty and asked her mom to punish her.

• She picked up all the pieces and threw them away.

• She was brave and confessed to her mother that she had broken her snow globe.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.3

CCSS.RL.3.3

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

Tania broke her mother's favorite snow globe. She knew that she wasn't supposed to pick it up, but it was so tempting to shake it and watch the glittery snow fall. Tania felt so guilty. She knew she couldn't fix it. So, gathering up all of her courage, she walked downstairs where her mother was to confess in a shaky voice what she had done. Her mother scolded her for picking up the snow globe when she was told not to. However, she didn't punish her because she had been honest. Her mother was proud of her for telling the truth. Tania felt so relieved.

What is the theme of the story? Think about the lesson Tania learned.

• It's best to be brave and speak the truth even if your voice shakes.

• The unknown can be scary.

• Temptation can get you in trouble.

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.9

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

Tania broke her mother's favorite snow globe. She knew that she wasn't supposed to pick it up, but it was so tempting to shake it and watch the glittery snow fall. Tania felt so guilty. She knew she couldn't fix it. So, gathering up all of her courage, she walked downstairs where her mother was to confess in a shaky voice what she had done. Her mother scolded her for picking up the snow globe when she was told not to. However, she didn't punish her because she had been honest. Her mother was proud of her for telling the truth. Tania felt so relieved.

What happened in the story that helped you find the theme? Think about the author's message.

• Tania felt guilty and was scared to tell her mother the truth.

• Tania told the truth, and her mother didn't punish her because she was honest.

• Tania's mother was disappointed in her.

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.9

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

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.3.9

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

To identify a theme in a story, a reader can ask ...

• What has the character learned?
• What is the setting?
• Who is the narrator?
• ALL of the above

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.9

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

A theme should be supported by ...

• your own words
• evidence from the text
• rationale/reasoning
• ALL of the above

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.9

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

Which of the following is NOT an example of a theme?

• Treat others the way you want to be treated.

• The little boy lied to his mother.

• With hard work, you can accomplish anything.

• You shouldn't judge a book by its cover.

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.9

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9