How to Find the Theme

When determining a theme, the reader should first consider...

• the illustrations
• the subject or topic
• the title
• the length of the story 

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.4.9

A theme should be a statement, not just one word. 

• TRUE
• FALSE

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.4

CCSS.RI.5.4

CCSS.W.5.2D

CCSS.W.7.2D

CCSS.W.8.2D

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.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.4.9

A well written theme statement includes character's names and the author.

• TRUE
• FALSE

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

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

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.8.2

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.
• You can severely break your leg while crossing the street.
• Life is short; make the most of it.

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

Nature's first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf's a flower; 
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf,
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day
Nothing gold can stay. 
What is the central theme of this poem?

• Nature and man
• Innocence cannot last
• Sunsets and sunrises are beautiful
• Nature and beauty

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.4

CCSS.RL.4.5

CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.10

In a spell of dry weather, when the Birds could find very little to drink, a thirsty Crow found a pitcher with a little water in it. But the pitcher was high and had a narrow neck, and no matter how he tried, the Crow could not reach the water. The poor thing felt as if he would die of thirst. Then an idea came to him. Picking up some small pebbles, he dropped them into the pitcher one by one. With each pebble the water rose a little higher until at last it was near enough so he could drink.
What is the theme?

• be persistent
• be honest
• always share with others
• respect your family

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

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.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

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.

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.7.2