Central Idea and Theme

 It is estimated that over twenty million pounds of candy corn are sold in the US each year.  Brach's, the top manufacturer, sells enough candy corn to circle the earth 4.25 times if each piece were laid end to end.  That's a lot of candy corn, but that's nothing compared to Tootsie Roll production.  Over 64 million Tootsie Rolls are produced every day!  But even Tootsie Rolls have got nothing on the candy industry's staple product, chocolate.  Confectioners manufacture over twenty billion pounds of chocolate in the United States each year.  Now that's a mouthful! 

•  This central idea is about chocolate. 
•  The central idea is how Tootsie Rolls are better than candy corn. 
•  The central idea is about how to circle the earth 4.25 times. 
•  The central idea is about how many popular candies are produced each year.

Where is the Grand Canyon? Most people think it is in Arizona. However, many other states have their own grand canyons, too. The Waimea Canyon is known as the Grand Canyon of Hawaii. People in North Dakota think of the Painted Canyon in that state as their grand canyon. And Californians use the nickname for a canyon on the floor of the Pacific Ocean. This underwater grand canyon is officially called the Monterey Bay Canyon. 

• The central idea is about how cool canyons are. 
• The central is about how other states have their own grand canyons. 
• The central idea is about Californians. 
• The central idea is about the Pacific Ocean's grand canyon. 

As young Americans mature into adults, they are tempted by the allure of easy credit.  Credit card companies attempt to ensnare young people by giving away “free” headphones or sports towels in return for completing credit applications. Many of these young people go on to accumulate debt through undisciplined spending.  They pay much more than the original loan because they are charged a high rate of interest and it takes them years to repay their debts.  It is best to avoid this debt prison altogether.   

• The central idea is about how certain young people should always get free sports towels. 
• The central idea is about how certain young people should stay away from headphones. 
• The central idea is about how certain young people can become burdened with debt.

 In his sophomore year of high school, Michael Jordan tried out for the varsity basketball team at Laney High School in Wilmington, North Carolina.  But at five feet and eleven inches tall, the coach believed that Jordan was too short to play at that level, so Jordan was cut from the team.  Jordan didn't let this obstacle defeat him.  In fact, it pushed him to work even harder.  He trained vigorously and grew another four inches the following summer.  When he finally made the varsity squad, Jordan averaged 25 points a game and went on to become one of the greatest basketball players in history. 

• What is the theme of the story? Growing four inches helps you become a better basketball player. 
• What is the theme of the story? Coaches can be unfair to short basketball players.
• What is the theme of the story? Never give up. Persistance pays off.

Tammy and Sammy were both students in Mr. Morton's reading class.  Mr. Morton wasn't too strict about deadlines, and Sammy took advantage of that.  He did all of his homework in his other classes but never bothered to complete Mr. Morton's reading assignments, figuring that he could complete them later.  Tammy, on the other hand, completed each assignment Mr. Morton assigned the night that he assigned it.  She had to stay up a little later, but she didn't want to get a penalty for turning in her reading work late.  Tammy knew reading was a core subject and that she had to keep "C" average for the entire year or she would have to go to summer school.  When the end of the quarter came, Tammy and Sammy had both planned on going to the Enchanted Castle amusement park, but Mr. Morton called Sammy's mother, and she grounded Sammy until he turned in all of his work.  That weekend was horrible for Sammy.  He stayed up until 2:00 AM each night and still couldn't complete all of the assignments.  The whole while, Tammy had a great time eating pizza at Enchanted Castle, watching movies late at night, and enjoying her weekend free of stress and pressure.  At the end of the quarter, Sammy was lucky to squeak by with a "C" minus in reading while Tammy earned an "A."  Sammy still hasn't learned his lesson and probably won't complete this activity either.

• What is the theme of the story? Deadlines are for losers. 
• What is the theme of the story? Mr. Morton liked Tammy better than Sammy. 
• What is the theme of the story? Reading class is hard. 
• What is the theme of the story? It is better to do things right the first time.

What is Theme?

• The main idea of the story

• The pattern of a book

• The classification or category a book falls under, based on the content of it's text

• The moral or lesson an author wants you to learn from reading a story.

What question can we ask ourselves which will help us identify the theme of a story?

• How did the character(s) grow, or change, during the story?

• What is the story mainly about?

• What genre is this book?

• What are the sequence of events?

How can we prove the theme in a story?

• By giving a character analysis

• Using accurate quotes from the text and explaining how the quote reveals the theme

• Inferencing

• Telling the main idea

Everyone knows the story of the 3 Little Pigs. What would a good theme be for the story, The 3 Little Pigs?

What is the text structure that uses this graphic organizer?

• Main idea and key detail

• Cause and Effect

• Sequential

• Problem and Solution

• Compare and Contrast