TEKS.ELA.7.7A

During a baseball game, Tanner tried to tag a player leaving first base. When the umpire called the player out, Tanner immediately informed the umpire that he in fact did not tag the runner. Two weeks later, the very same umpire was at another one of Tanner’s baseball games. Tanner was playing short stop and tagged a runner as they approached third base. When the umpire called the player safe, Tanner didn’t say a word, but the umpire noticed the surprised look on Tanner’s face. “Did you tag the runner?” she asked Tanner. When Tanner told her that he did tag the runner, the umpire changed her decision and called the player out. The coaches and parents were furious, but the umpire stood by her decision.
What is the theme?

• You should cheat to win.
• Always work hard.
• It pays to be honest.
• Teamwork is best.

Tags

TEKS.ELA.7.7A

TEKS.ELA.9-12.II.C.2

TEKS.ELA.9-12.II.A.4

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
• Read the ending of the story

Tags

TEKS.ELA.7.7A

TEKS.ELA.9-12.II.C.2

TEKS.ELA.3.6F

TEKS.ELA.3.8A

What is the theme of this story?

• Don't steal.
• Look both ways before crossing the street. 
• Necessity is the mother of invention. 
• One good turn deserves another.

Tags

TEKS.ELA.7.7A

Identify possible ways an author presents theme in a literary work.

• Through feelings of the main character
• Through conversations of the characters
• Actions and events in the story
• All of the above

Tags

TEKS.ELA.7.7A

"The importance of family" is a theme in The Outsiders. Which one of these examples is NOT an example of this theme?

• Johnny's parents are abusive, hurting him physically and emotionally
• The Curtis brothers can stay together ONLY if they stay out of trouble
• The greasers are so close they are like a family
• Cherry Valance stays with her own kind because her parents would not approve of greaser friends

Tags

TEKS.ELA.7.7A

How do you support the validity of a theme?

• text evidence
• summarizing
• you can't
• using the plot

Tags

TEKS.ELA.7.7A

Which detail helps you figure out the theme of the story?

• The boys train hard for the boxing match.
• Both boys dream of winning the championship. 
• The crowd gets very excited when the boys box. 
• The boys leave the ring before the winner is announced. 

Tags

TEKS.ELA.7.7A

TEKS.ELA.7.5G

^{What might be the most appropriate THEME in "The Monkey's Paw"?}

• You don't know what you've got until it's gone.
• Monkeys make good pets.
• They should have made a wish with a rabbit's foot.
• Be careful what you wish for.

Tags

TEKS.ELA.7.7A

Dan and Doug led the journalism club. While Dan was generally regarded as a better writer than Doug, Doug was invaluable to the publication for his investigative skills. Together, they had uncovered a scandal in the cafeteria that had been dubbed "Horsemeat-Gate." Due to Dan and Doug's compelling story, interest in the high school paper grew. Dan was even interviewed by the local paper. During the interview, Dan spoke at length about all he had done to write the story. He failed to mention Doug's involvement. Doug felt slighted and confronted Dan, but Dan asserted that he was the main writer of the story and therefore deserved the credit. Shortly after the blowout, Doug left the journalism club. The people of the town were interested in the high school paper, but without Doug's knack for finding good stories, the quality of the paper diminished and so did interest in the paper. Now that his popularity surge had ended, Dan had more time to think. He reasoned that they'd still be on top of the world if Doug hadn't been so stubborn and selfish.
Choose the best theme.

• Either lead or get out of the way.
• Give credit where credit is due.
• Dan and Doug argued over whose contribution was more important to the paper.
• Kindness matters.

Tags

TEKS.ELA.7.7A

What is the THEME of the narrative below?

Betsy’s mom had gotten her a new outfit for school pictures. Betsy grimaced the first time she saw it. It was hideous. She looked like a kindergartner. However, she also knew that money was tight at home and her mom was most likely very excited about the surprise purchase for her daughter.

Betsy knew what she had to do. The morning of school pictures, she got up and got dressed. Her mom smiled widely as she walked out of her bedroom waring the new outfit. Her mom fixed her hair and Betsy left for school.

When she arrived at the school building, classmates stared at her. A few snickered. Some made sarcastic comments about her going into the Kindergarten building. Betsy just kept thinking of her Mom’s huge, proud smile earlier that morning.

When she saw her best friend, Becca, she explained the situation. “Well, I am proud of you, Betsy. What you did today takes a lot of guts.”

• Wear the clothes our parents choose for school pictures.

• Stand by your friends no matter what.

• It often takes strength to do what's right.

• Stand up for yourself.

Tags

TEKS.ELA.7.7A