Understanding Story Themes

What is a theme in a story?

• The title of the story

• The setting of the story

• The main character of the story

• The moral or lesson the story teaches

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.9

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

How can we find a story's theme?

• By counting the number of pages

• By asking specific questions about the story

• By looking at the pictures

• By reading the title

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.9

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

What should you ask to find a story's theme?

• What is the story's title?

• What is the genre of the story?

• How many characters are in the story?

• What lesson does the story teach?

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.9

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

What is NOT a good way to identify a theme?

• Analyzing the consequences of actions

• Focusing only on the story's setting

• Considering how characters change

• Thinking about the story's moral

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.9

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

What did Arthur do at the beach to get attention?

• He swam with dolphins

• He found a treasure

• He pretended to drown

• He built a sandcastle

Tags

CCSS.RI.2.1

CCSS.RI.3.1

CCSS.RL.2.1

CCSS.RL.3.1

CCSS.RI.1.4

What did Arthur's family do when he pretended to drown the first time?

• They ignored him

• They ran to rescue him

• They called for help

• They laughed with him

Tags

CCSS.RI.2.1

CCSS.RI.3.1

CCSS.RL.2.1

CCSS.RL.3.1

CCSS.RL.1.1

What was the consequence of Arthur's actions?

• He became a hero

• He found a hidden treasure

• He was ignored when he was actually in danger

• He was praised by his family

Tags

CCSS.RL.1.3

CCSS.RL.2.3

CCSS.RL.3.3

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.5.3

What lesson did Arthur learn?

• Swimming is fun

• Beach trips are dangerous

• Jokes are always funny

• Lying can make you lose trust

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.9

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

How did Arthur feel after being saved the second time?

• Angry and frustrated

• Happy and excited

• Ashamed and apologetic

• Indifferent and bored

Tags

CCSS.RL.1.3

CCSS.RL.2.3

CCSS.RL.3.3

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.5.3

Why is the theme of a story important?

• It tells us the story's location

• It teaches us a lesson or moral

• It describes the main character

• It makes the story longer

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.9

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9