Theme/Message

What is theme?

• A lesson or moral in a story

• what the text is mainly about

• how the author feels about the text

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What is the difference between theme and main idea?

• Main idea is what the text is mainly about and theme is the lesson or moral in the story

• Theme is what the text is mainly about and Main idea is the lesson or moral in the story

• Theme is specific to characters in the story and main idea is not

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One way you could figure out the theme is to...

• Skim through the story
• Just read the beginning of the story
• Think about what the character has learned
• Read the ending of the story

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What is the theme of this story? 

• Don't be greedy.
• Work together.
• Respect your elders. 
• Don't steal.

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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.
What is the theme?

• share with your neighbor
• work before you play
• be respectful
• don't be greedy

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Baylee wanted to be friends with Alexis. She knew Alexis loved dancing, so Baylee asked her if she wanted to make a dance routine up at recess. She thought if she pretended to like dancing that Alexis would like her better. Baylee tried her best, but dancing was just not her thing. Alexis could tell Baylee was not having fun, so she asked her if she wanted to go play tag. Baylee smiled with excitement. What is the theme?

• Loyalty

• Friendship

• Money can't buy happiness (or friends)

• Be yourself

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Matt was always mean to the other younger kids on the school bus. He would make fun of them and put sticky stuff in their seat. He was the oldest and “coolest” kid on the bus. After this year, Matt would be going to high school. He would not have to ride with these little “rug rats” anymore. The summer had passed and Matt was headed to high school. He was a little nervous getting on the bus. When he walked on, he could feel the older kids laughing at him. When he got into his seat there was chocolate sauce smeared all over his seat. What is the theme?

• Loyalty

• Treat others how you would like to be treated.

• Money can't buy happiness (or friends)

• Be yourself

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Larry had it all. A huge house, all the toys he wanted, and best of all he had enough money to buy anything he wants. He was always coming to school with new shoes and designer clothes. What more could a kid ask for? But everyday at recess Larry went out to the playground and played on the swings by himself. He disliked recess because there was no one that wanted to play with him. It made him very sad. What is the theme?

• Money can't buy happiness (or friends).

• Helping others

• Do the right thing and people will follow.

• Practice and persistence pay off.

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Sandy had a huge Social Studies project do on Monday. She did not even start it yet, but she knew it would not take her long. So she decided to go out with her friends to the movie on Friday night and then sleepover her other friends on Saturday night. When she got home Sunday morning her stomach was hurting her. She did not feel quite right. Her mother felt her forehead, and it felt warm. She was coming down with something, and just could not concentrate on her Social Studies project. What was she going to do? What is the theme?

• Money can't buy happiness (or friends).

• Helping others

• Do the right thing and people will follow.

• Don't put things off to the last minute

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Gary thought it would be funny to hide Tracy’s book bag. One day he took it from the back of the room and threw it behind the book case. At the end of the day Tracy was looking everywhere. The teacher started looking and asked the class if anyone has seen the book bag. Gary of course did not answer. After about ten minutes of searching the teacher called for the principal to come and help. Gary had told the teacher he did not know where it was, so what was he going to tell the principal? He should have just taken it out right away when Tracy was looking. What is the theme?

• Money can't buy happiness (or friends).

• Always tell the truth.

• Practice and persistence pay off.

• Don't put things off to the last minute

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