Choosing the Best Theme

What is the key factor in choosing the best theme for a story?

• The number of themes present in the story

• The ability to prove the theme is present in the story

• The popularity of the theme among readers

• The personal preference of the author

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

Which of the following is a way to determine the theme of a story?

• Analyzing the setting of the story

• Identifying the main characters in the story

• Examining the challenges characters face and how they respond

• Focusing on the length of the story

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

What should you look for when trying to find the theme that fits the story best?

• The theme that is most popular among readers

• The theme that is mentioned most frequently in the story

• The theme that has the most evidence from the text supporting it

• The theme that is easiest to understand

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

Which of the following is NOT a way to determine the theme of a story?

• Analyzing the changes in the characters

• Examining the challenges characters face and how they respond

• Identifying the main events in the story

• Considering the advice you would give to the characters

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

"My differences make me who I am," said Uni. "If we were all the same, the world would be

boring."

Draco realized Uni was right. His rainbow scales were beautiful - he just hadn't seen it

before.

Just then, Shelly the turtle came looking for Draco. A big rainstorm had washed away the

bridge across Cascade River, cutting Shelly off from her family.

Draco had an idea. He told Shelly to gather her turtle friends. When the turtles lined up,

Draco stretched his long tail over them. Then he asked them each to reach up with a different

colored leg - red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple.

Draco's colorful scales blended with the turtles' legs to form a perfect rainbow bridge across

the raging river!

Everyone cheered. Draco beamed with pride at his unique scales. He had learned to

embrace what made him different, and it had helped save the day.

From then on, Draco flew high in the sky, gleaming like a rainbow. His differences made him

special, and special he would stay.

• Appreciate what makes you different.

• You are what you eat.

• Good always triumphs over evil.

• Life isn't always fair.

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

Sara wants to learn how to ride a bike, but she keeps falling off. Her big brother patiently

teaches her every day after school. Sara wants to give up, but her brother encourages her to

keep trying. After many weeks, Sara finally learns to ride, and the happiness she feels makes all

the hard work worth it.

• Always be honest with yourself and others.

• Treat others the way you would like to be treated.

• Kindness given is often returned.

• Hard work and determination lead to success.

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

Joel finds a watch on the playground and keeps it. When he notices his friend looking

sad and searching for the watch, Joel feels guilty. He returns the watch and admits what he

did. Joel’s friend forgives him, and Joel learns that being honest and doing the right thing

makes him feel much better inside.

Which strategy should we use here?

• The lesson the character learns.

• Advice you would give the character.

• The challenge the character had to overcome or how he responded to a challenge.

• How the character changed.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.1

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3