Central Message/Theme

One summer's day, a merry Grasshopper was dancing, singing and playing his violin with all his heart. He saw an Ant passing by working hard to store food for the winter. “Come and sing with me instead of working so hard,” said the Grasshopper “Let’s have fun together.” “I must store food for the winter,” said the Ant,“ and I advise you to do the same.” “Don’t worry about winter, it’s still very far away,” said the Grasshopper, laughing at him. But the Ant wouldn’t listen and continued to work. When winter came, the starving Grasshopper went to the Ant’s house and humbly begged for something to eat. “If you had listened to my advice in the summer you would not now be in need,” said the Ant. “I’m afraid you will have to go without supper,” and he closed the door.
What is the theme?

• share with your neighbor
• work before you play
• be respectful
• don't be greedy

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

It was a special day in Yosemite Elementary. Devon, a famous basketball player, was visiting the school and speaking to the third-grade students. Devon was also going to pick some kids for a weeklong basketball camp. That day, all the third graders behaved the best they could. Even the kids who never liked basketball, like Ty, tried to play. Ty wanted to look cool in front of his friends. Although he knew nothing about the game, he tried it. When Ty fell and nearly broke his arm, his teacher Mrs. Ramirez pulled him aside. "What are you doing, Ty?" Mrs. Ramirez asked kindly as she checked on his arm. "Oh, I was—trying—," Ty replied. He knew chess was his thing not basketball. "Ty, other famous people will visit your class," his teacher said. "Maybe we will have a chess player here one day. Don't try to be what you are not just to look cool." Ty knew that his teacher was right. From that day, Ty just wanted to be himself.

What is the lesson of this selection?

• It is best to always be yourself.

• Chess is not for everybody.

• Anyone can play basketball.

• You should not break your arm.

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.2

Tara and Millie wanted to have a snack after school. "I want chocolate ice cream!" Tara said. "Me, too!" Millie said. Both girls raced to the kitchen. Tara got the ice cream out of the freezer. Millie got the bowls, spoons, and ice cream scoop. When Tara looked into the ice cream container, she saw that there was only enough for one serving of ice cream. She really wanted the chocolate ice cream. It was her absolute favorite snack in the world. "You know, I think I would rather have cookies," Tara told Millie. She gave the ice cream container to Millie and got some cookies out of the cupboard for herself.

What is the moral of this story?

• Cookies are better than chocolate ice cream.

• Snacking before dinner will ruin your appetite.

• Think of others before you think of yourself.

• Do not give in if you want something badly.

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.2

The best definition of theme is...

• The lesson the author is teaching. 
• The message the author is sending.
• A word that summarizes the story.
• The character's main problem.

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

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

CCSS.RL.3.1

CCSS.RL.3.2

What is the main difference between THEME and MAIN IDEA. 

• Theme is a universal lesson, and main idea is what a story is about.
• Theme is what a story is about, and main idea is the universal lesson it teaches.
  

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.2

Which of the following is an example of THEME?

• Carry your laptops with two hands at all times.
• Cereal is the healthiest food you can eat.
• How much wood a woodchuck could chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood.
• Life is short; make the most of it.

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.2

What is the theme of this story? 

• Slow and steady wins the race.
• Don't be lazy. 
• We are stronger together than we are apart.
• If you try to go on your own, you will get eaten by a big fish.

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.1

CCSS.RL.3.2

What is the theme of this story?

• It is better to take your time and do it right then to rush and fail.
• Don't be lazy.
• Our friends are always there for us.
• Turtles are faster than rabbits.

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.1

CCSS.RL.3.2

A woodcutter was cutting a tree on the bank of a river. His axe flew out of his hands and fell into the water. As he stood by the water's edge crying at his loss, Mercury appeared and asked him the reason for his pain. The woodcutter cried and said, "I am a poor man. I have lost my axe in the river, and now I cannot work." Mercury dove into the river and came up with a golden axe. "Is this your axe?" asked Mercury. "No," answered the woodcutter. Mercury dove a second time and bringing up a silver axe asked if that was his. "No, that is not mine either," said the woodcutter. Once more, Mercury dove into the river and brought up the missing axe. The woodcutter was very happy to see his axe and could not thank Mercury enough. Mercury was pleased with the woodcutter's honesty and rewarded him with both the golden and silver axes. The woodcutter returned home happily with his gifts.

What is the lesson of this story?

• One should be careful while using a sharp tool.

• People should learn to help each other.

• Being honest leads to good results.

• Accepting gifts from strangers is a good idea.

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.2