Theme Preview

What is the definition of theme?

• Events that occur within the story

• The message or lesson the author wants you to learn

• The author's reason for writing the story

• The location of the story

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.2

Where can a reader find the theme?

• It is stated directly in the text.

• A character tells you what the theme is.

• Books and movies do not have themes.

• The reader must infer the theme by looking at what the character learned.

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.1

CCSS.RL.4.2

Which of the following statements about theme is TRUE?

• Authors never use the same theme twice.

• Themes only repeat in short stories.

• The same themes can occur in different passages.

• All poems have the same theme.

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.1

CCSS.RL.4.2

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

• What has the character learned?

• Who is the narrator?

• What is the setting?

• ALL of the above

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.1

CCSS.RL.4.2

Three flies notice an overturned honey pot. Two of the flies decide to land in the honey and start eating. The oldest fly stays back. The two flies tease the older fly, but they soon realize that they are stuck in the honey.

What is the theme of this story?

• Some prizes aren't worth it.

• Insects value food over safety.

• Overeating leads to illness.

• Always send a tester.

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.2

She sobbed for hours trying to think of a way out of having to tell her father that she wrecked her new car. After stewing over it for quite some time, she called her father on his cell phone and confessed. "Thank you," he said.

What is the theme of the story?

• Sometimes crying is good for you.

• Driving a car is a big responsibility.

• It's important to be honest.

• Experiencing loss or grief is difficult.

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.2

Jim was stacking boxes at work. There was a certain height he had to reach. He stretched his body but could not reach to place the final box at the top. Bill happened to see Jim struggling and came to his rescue. He was a foot taller, after all.

What is the theme of the story?

• Teamwork can accomplish a goal.

• Work hard to reach a goal.

• Tall people are the best.

• People can be like boxes.

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.2

Susie was waiting for Tina to arrive in the crowded lunch room. She looked through the crowd to see if she could spot Tina from afar. Tina was standing there all by herself. She had a perplexed look on her face, as there were no seats available. Thankfully, Susie had saved her a seat!

What is the theme?

• Lunch is best when it's crowded.

• Friends should look out for each other.

• Susie is nice.

• Be nice.

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.2

Liza's book report was due tomorrow. Her teacher had given the class an entire month to complete it. Many of Liza's friends were already finished, but Liza hadn't even started hers yet. When she got home, she saw a note from her dad that read, "Surprise! We're going to the hockey game tonight! Your homework must be done first." Liza loved hockey and couldn't believe her bad luck. Her family went to the game, but she had to stay home to finish her book report.

What's the theme of the story?

• Liza didn't get to go to the hockey game because she didn't finish her report.

• Everybody has to deal with bad luck at one time or another.

• Don't put things off until the last minute.

• Book reports are fun!

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.2

When Darcy was 18, she wanted to dance on Broadway. When she went to her first audition, she was told that she would never get a job as a dancer because she didn't have the proper technique. Darcy didn't let this stop her. In fact, she became even more determined. For the next few months, Darcy went to every dance lesson she could find to keep improving her technique. She learned from the best teachers and danced everyday, even when she was exhausted. A year later, Darcy signed a contract to dance in her first Broadway show.

What is the theme of this story?

• Determination is the key to success.

• Don't let someone else's negative comments get you down.

• Take lots of dance classes if you want to dance on Broadway.

• Dancing makes you very tired.

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.2