Theme

What is the theme of this story?

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.

• Don't judge a book by its cover.

• Be thankful for the things you receive.

• Blane is a spoiled and ungrateful child.

• Blane's mom is unkind in her actions.

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.2

POSSIBLE THEME: Be thankful for the things you receive.

EXPLANATION: Blaine receives many nice and thoughtful gifts from his mom. Rather than appreciating these gifts he whines and complains. This leads to his mother giving away all of his stuff to other more appreciative children.

Does the explanation above support the possible theme for the first story?

• Yes

• No

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.2

What is the theme of this story?

Tommy wanted a skateboard badly. Sometimes he would stay after school just to watch the older boys do tricks on the stairs. Tommy thought that it looked like so much fun to grind down rails and kickflip over gaps. He imagined performing jaw-dropping tricks on the landmarks he passed on his way home. After months of saving money and begging his grandma, Tommy finally got a skateboard. With a beaming grin across his face, Tommy ran to his driveway and tried one of the tricks that he had imagined. As Tommy put his first foot on his skateboard, the skateboard slid out from under him and he fell on his butt. Tommy broke out into tears. That was the last time that Tommy rode a skateboard.

• Tommy isn't sticking to skateboarding long enough to get better.

• Tommy shouldn't give up.

• Some things are not as easy as they look; no pain, no gain.

• Saving your money will get you exactly what you want.

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.2

POSSIBLE THEME: Some things are not as easy as they look; no pain no gain.

EXPLANATION: The older kids make skateboarding look easy, but they've probably spent many years practicing and fell a lot of times. On the other hand, Tommy fell once and quit trying. He is not willing to put in the work.

Does the explanation above support the possible theme for story #2?

• Yes

• No

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.6.5

There was a ragged old woman following behind me as I walked down each aisle. She had a strange look on her face, as her missing teeth distorted her smile. I rushed to try to avoid her, as I was a little nervous about what she might do. Come to find out, I dropped some money and she was trying to return it to me.

What is the theme?

• Old people are always mean.

• Don't judge a book by its cover.

• You should be aware of others.

• It takes courage to stand up to bullies.

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.2

"You can do it!" shouted her father, as he pushed Chloe and let go. She was going on her own, but suddenly fell. She cried, but said, "Again, daddy!" This time she went farther but fell into the ditch. A few moments later, she was riding down the street, smiling from ear to ear.

What is the theme?

• You should sacrifice for others.

• When you are greedy, you will fall down.

• Your family will do anything for you.

• You should never give up.

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.2

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 in an area all by herself. She had a perplexed look on her face, as there were no other seats available. Thankfully, Susie had saved her a seat, and all was well.

What is the theme?

• Lunch is best when it's crowded.

• Susie is nice.

• Be nice.

• Friends should look out for each other.

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.2