There was trash everywhere. People had left wrappers and bags from fast-food restaurants lying on tables and benches. It looked like some people had cleaned out their cars and dumped their trash on the ground. How could people do this? Don't they care about their parks? Don't they want their children to have a clean and beautiful place to play?

What does this author think about the topic in this passage?

Click on the item that defines "theme."

Going Away

Kareem's mother asked, "Do you have everything packed for your trip?" She scanned his room looking at all of the mess he had made packing his clothes for summer camp.

"I am just about finished," replied Kareem. Kareem was nervous about leaving for summer camp. He had never been away from home for more than a night when he stayed at his friend's house, and even then he was only five minutes away from his house. Now he was going to be spending a week at a camp that was several hours away from his home.

His mother understood the look on his face and said, "Kareem, I know this is probably a little scary for you since you are going to be so far away from home, but you are going to have so much fun. Your grandmother and I will see you in a week!"

Kareem did not know how his mother always knew what he was feeling inside. But it made him feel much better. Kareem said, "Thanks Mom!"

What happened after Kareem's mother recognized the look on his face?

What theme is found in all of these fairy tales: Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and Snow White?

Yeh-Shen is a Chinese story about an over-worked girl who has a magical helper that helps her when a king is looking for a wife. Which American tale is this similar to?

Characters learn a lesson from wanting too much of something.

Pick the correct BIG IDEA word for the definition above:

Characters find the true meaning of being brave and strong

Pick the correct BIG IDEA word for the definition above:

Characters learn the importance of telling the truth

Pick the correct BIG IDEA word for the definition above:

Characters form unbreakable bonds with others in the story.

Pick the correct BIG IDEA word for the definition above:

Jess was not happy that she had to sit beside Ben. He was loud and silly, he talked all the time, and his desk was always messy. She promised herself that she would ignore him and never make contact. That is until one morning.. THUD! When Jess heard this loud noise, she looked up to see Ben had tripped over a chair that should have been pushed in. He was suddenly laying on the floor, and his papers were strewed everywhere. Jess rushed over to him. Despise Ben's obnoxious behavior, Jess helped him up and picked up all of his papers. "No worries, Ben, that chair was in your way," Jess said. That afternoon during recess, Ben thanked Jess for helping him. Jess realized that Ben was actually nice, and that she had never taken the time to get to know him. Jess and Ben had each found a new friend.

What is the theme of this story? Think about the lesson Jess learned.

Can shows and movies on TV have themes?

Which of the following is an example of theme?

Kevin wasn't worried about his book report. He had three whole weeks to get it done. There was no reason to start right away, because he just got a new video game.

Two weeks passed and Kevin still hadn't picked out a book. By the time he finally got to the library, there wasn't enough time to read the book and write the report. Kevin failed the whole assignment.