Theme vs. Main Idea

Front

Not related to a story's theme:

Back

how a character is feeling.

Front

Theme of the story?

Back

Respect your elders.

Front

Theme of the story?

Back

Look both ways before crossing the street.

Front

Theme of the story:

Back

Look before you leap.

Front

Example of theme in a story:

Back

Respect for others.

Front

Theme of Tanner's baseball experience:

Back

It pays to be honest.

Front

John and Matt aspire to be firemen, wanting to ride the fire truck, with John aiming to rescue people and Matt to spray water.

Back

John and Matt want to be firemen.

Front

Jenny visited her grandmother in the hospital and saw the nurses' kindness. She wants to help sick people as a nurse.

Back

Jenny wants to be a nurse.

Front

Frog sat by pond, still & camouflaged. Caught a bug with his tongue. Main idea?

Back

Frogs eat bugs.

Front

Difference between THEME and MAIN IDEA?

Back

Theme: universal lesson; Main Idea: story's content.