Theme Assessment

What is theme?

• The message or lesson that the author wants you to take away from the story.

• Where the story takes place.

• The main characters in the story.

• What happens in the beginning, middle, and end of the story in order.

Blaine opened up the present and began pouting. He screamed in a high-pitched voice, "This is Captain Thunder! I wanted Captain Lightning!" His mother looked at him with dismay and handed him another present, which he greedily opened. "Why did you get me a red hat? You know I like blue more," Blaine whined as he threw the hat across the room. His mother straightened her expression and squinted at him. Earlier she had hoped to take some pictures of this moment, but by now she had put away her camera. She sighed and handed him one more present in hopes that this year wouldn't be a total bust. Blaine huffed and opened it. "A Game Box 4000 wow. Where's the Game Box 5000 that I asked for?" His mother could bear his ingratitude no longer. The next time that Blaine returned from his father's house, he was shocked to find that all of these toys and gifts, along with many other of his things, had been generously donated to needy children.

From the character's experience, the reader can learn...

• It's more fun to share.

• Be thankful for the things that you receive.

• Don't complain about the presents that your mom gives you.

A long time ago there was a king who wanted nothing but gold. He wished everything he touched turned into gold. A fairy made his wish come true. Then anything he tried to eat turned into gold, so he starved to death. 

• Do not be greedy
• United we stand, divided we fall
• Don't steal 
• Respect your elders

There were once some hardworking ants and a grasshopper who hated to work. The ants gathered food all spring while the grasshopper played. When winter came, the ants had enough food, but the grasshopper had nothing to eat. Since the ants had no extra food to give, the grasshopper starved. 

• Don't be lazy
• Slow and steady wins the race
• Don't steal
• Look before you leap

Justin had no one to sit with at lunch. He was new in town, and tried to make friends everyday. Because Justin spoke with a strange accent, many of the kids did not want to sit with him at lunch. Rachel noticed Justin eating by himself one day and invited him over. Justin and Rachel quickly became friends, and Justin began to enjoy coming to school everyday. What is the main theme (message) of this story?

• Justin was lucky to have a friend like Rachel.

• Don't speak to someone if they are different from you.

• Be kind to others.

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, every day after school for the next few weeks, Suzie tutored June in reading and then June tutored Suzie in math. By the time report cards were distributed, Suzie and June were passing all of their classes. The girls were delighted, but their mother was happiest of all.

• Sisters are always friends in the end

• Pay attention in class

• Use your strengths to help others

• Avoid tension by staying away from stressful situations

Long ago, a beautiful princess had all beautiful, expensive dresses. She bragged about them all the time. The other maidens got so tired of hearing about it that they stopped being friends with her.

What is the theme of this story?

• Eat your vegetables.

• Don't brag. Be modest.

• Don't talk to strangers.

• If you have a nice dress, don't think you are better than other people.

Jada couldn't believe what had just happened. They were on their way home from dance practice, and she saw her dad do it. His mobile phone buzzed, indicating he had just received a text. He had picked it up to read the message, and then started texting as he was driving. What happened next was terrifying. The driver in front of them suddenly hit the brakes, and Jada's dad didn't notice. Jada screamed. Her dad swerved to miss the car in the nick of time, but now they were in the ditch. Her dad turned to her in the back seat. "Jada, are you okay?" Jada sat there trembling. "I think so," she said. "I am so sorry. I can't believe I put your life at risk like that," her dad replied. "I promise here and now that I will NEVER pick up my phone while I am driving again!"

• Be an alert passenger when others are driving.

• Don't text and drive when traffic is heavy.

• When you make a mistake, admit it.

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 than playing.

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.