The Theme

Sally needed so much help on reading and every day during reading she has to have help and Billy is always making fun of her. On the reading test Sally got a 5 and Billy got a 2

• Work hard

• Billy should stop making fun of her so he can get a good score

• Never juge a book by its cover

• None of the above

The message or lesson that the author wants you to learn from the story is called the

• plot

• figurative language

• theme

One way you could figure out the theme is to...

• Skim through the story

• Just read the beginning of the story

• Think about what the character has learned

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.

• Lunch is best when it's crowded

• Be nice

• Friends should look out for each other

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, since he was a foot taller.

• teamwork can accomplish a goal

• tall people are the best

• work hard to reach a goal

The girls were coloring when Mike wanted to join along. One girl moved the crayons closer to them. The other girl proceeded to take the other crayon boxes. Mike had no crayons to use. One girl remarked, "These crayons are ours. Find your own."

• Being greedy is never nice

• you should keep your own things to yourself

• friends should color together

"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.

• you should never give up

• your family will do anything for you

• when you are greedy, you will fall down

The three-year-old peered down from the diving board and looked back at his mother behind him. His knees began to buckle as he took another step forward. "Splash!"

• it takes courage to accomplish your goals

• you should never give up

• it takes loyalty to reach your dreams

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.

• Old people are always mean

• don't judge a book by its cover

• you should be aware of others

Kim had gone through her closet with her mom over the weekend. She remembered a new girl at school who always seemed to wear the same pants over and over. Kim wondered what she could do with the clothes. She handed the new girl a bag as she passed her in the hallway.

• sacrifice is difficult sometimes

• it's better to give than to receive

• friendship is the most important thing in life