Central Idea/Theme

What is the best definition of THEME?

• universal truth, moral, or idea that the author wants to express. 

• location and time of the story

• events that occur in the story

• author's reason for writing a story

If you are feeling sad, you can make yourself feel better by doing a few simple things. You can take a walk (or get another form of exercise), you can talk to a friend, or you can write down your feelings. Writing down the good things in your life will help too. Doing something good for someone else will also help you feel better. If you still feel a little sad, act happy. It works like magic to make you feel better!
What is the central idea?

• Sometimes people feel sad.

• You should do good things for others.

• We're not always happy.

• There are many ways to make yourself feel better. 

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.

A Dog, to whom the butcher had thrown a bone, was hurrying home with his prize as fast as he could go. As he crossed a narrow bridge, he looked down and saw his reflection in the quiet water as if in a mirror. But the greedy Dog thought he saw a real Dog carrying a bone much bigger than his own. If he had stopped to think he would have known better. But instead of thinking, he dropped his bone and sprang at the Dog in the river, only to find himself swimming for dear life to reach the shore. At last he managed to scramble out, and as he stood sadly thinking about the good bone he had lost, he realized what a foolish Dog he had been.
What is the theme?

• Be honest.

• Don't be greedy.

• Always share your things with others.

• Be respectful to others.

Read the following excerpt and identify the central idea: "Despite numerous challenges, the community worked together to restore the old library, showing their commitment to preserving knowledge and history."

• The community faced many challenges.

• The library was old and needed restoration.

• The community showed their commitment to preserving knowledge by restoring the library.

• Restoring buildings is a difficult task.

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DOK Level 2: Skill/Concept

Identify the central idea of a passage discussing the impact of technology on education.

• Technology can sometimes be distracting.

• Many schools use technology.

• Technology has transformed the way students learn and teachers teach.

• Students enjoy using technology.

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DOK Level 2: Skill/Concept

What theme is most evident in a story where diverse characters from different backgrounds come together to solve a community problem?

• Teamwork leads to success.

• Diversity is challenging.

• Community problems are complex.

• Different backgrounds contribute to better solutions.

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DOK Level 2: Skill/Concept

Is this a Central THEME or Central IDEA:

Never say “can’t.”

• Central Theme

• Central Idea

Is this a Central THEME or Central IDEA:

Always believe in yourself.

• Central Theme

• Central Idea

What is the author's primary purpose in writing a novel about a dystopian society where freedom of speech is restricted?

• To entertain readers with a fictional story.

• To inform readers about historical dictatorships.

• To persuade readers to value their freedoms.

• To describe a new world.

Tags

DOK Level 2: Skill/Concept