Understanding Themes in Stories

What is a theme in a story?

• A character's name

• A deeper idea that is woven throughout the story

• The main idea or plot of the story

• A detailed summary of the story

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CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

How is a theme different from a moral?

• Themes are only found in folk tales

• Morals do not convey any messages

• A moral is more about a specific lesson to be learned

• A theme is always about being prepared

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CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

Which question can help you discover a story's theme?

• What is the story's title?

• How did the characters change throughout the story?

• How many pages is the story?

• What is the main character's favorite color?

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CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

What did Anansi want to do with all the wisdom?

• Keep it all to himself

• Write a book

• Share it with his son

• Sell it for gold

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CCSS.RL.1.10

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CCSS.RL.K.5

What lesson did Anansi learn by the end of the story?

• Trees are not safe places to hide things

• Wisdom can only be found in books

• Spiders are the wisest of all creatures

• He could be outsmarted by his son

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CCSS.RL.1.10

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RL.K.5

What does the breaking of the pot symbolize in Anansi's story?

• Rain can cause accidents

• Wisdom should be shared with everyone

• Pots are not reliable storage devices

• The importance of being careful

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CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

Why did Anansi apologize to his son?

• Because he broke the pot

• For losing his temper

• He didn't apologize

• For not listening to his advice

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CCSS.RL.1.10

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RL.K.5

What is a universal aspect of themes?

• They are only understood by adults

• Only children can relate to them

• Anyone can relate to them

• They are specific to a culture

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CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

What could be a theme of the Anansi story?

• Wisdom is within all of us

• Never trust a spider

• Trees are not trustworthy

• Always carry a pot carefully

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CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

What should you do after identifying a theme in a story?

• Sell the story

• Discuss it with others

• Write a letter to the author

• Forget about it

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CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2