What Is the Theme

Money Mark was born rich.  He never had to work a day in his life and he got everything handed to him.  When he was six, Mark wanted to go to a basketball game.  His father paid the starting five of the Warriors and Cavs to play a private game of Nerf-ball in Mark’s bedroom.  When Mark turned thirteen, he wanted to start a band.  His father hired One Direction to play with him every Saturday at the family’s private concert hall, though his family was never there.  By the time he was twenty-one, Mark was bored with life.  He was surrounded by a bunch of possessions that he didn’t appreciate.  Despite his vast wealth, Mark never found happiness.  

• Ask and will get what you want.

• Money can't buy happiness.

• Money should be appreciated and not wasted.

• One Direction is not a good band to hire.

Penny was born poor.  Her family hardly had anything to eat, but they loved each other.  Penny appreciated every thing she got.  When she was six, her father walked her around the Cable Box before the Hornets played the Celtics.  She was excited by the crazy fans and feeling in the air.  She looked forward to the day when they could get tickets and see a real game.  When she was thirteen, she learned to play buckets like drums.  She was an extremely talented musician. By the time she was 21, Penny was a successful drummer in a band.  Now she had everything that she had ever dreamed of and she truly loved to share her wealth and happiness with her family. 

• Hard work pays off.

• Make the most of what you have in life.

• Being poor makes you happy.

• Money doesn't grow on trees.

Even though they were sisters, Suzie and June were nothing alike.  If Suzie wanted to jump rope, June wanted to play hopscotch.  It seemed that they had nothing in common, until the day that progress reports came out.  While riding the bus home from school, the girls realized that they were both failing a subject.  Suzie was failing math and June was failing reading.  Since both girls wanted to pass their classes, they got to talking and agreed to help one another.  So every day after school for the next few weeks, Suzie tutored June in reading and then June tutored Suzie in math.  By the time report cards came, Suzie and June were passing all of their classes. 

• Sisters should help each other.

• Help others.

• Find what you are good at doing and share your skill.

• Even people who are different can get along when they have a common goal.

What is a possible theme for this fable?

• Sharing is caring.

• Don’t pretend to be something you are not, or no one will like you.

• Sometimes people mistreat those who look different.

What is the definition of theme?

• how an author reveals a character's traits

• time and place a story takes place

• character vs. self

• author's message about life or human nature

What is the best definition of THEME?

• universal truth, moral, or idea that the author wants to express. 

• The location and time of the story

• The events that occur in the story

• The author's reason for writing a story

What is the best definition of THEME?

• A universal truth, moral, or idea that the author wants to express. 

• The location and time of the story

• The events that occur in the story

• The author's reason for writing a story

Rachel was walking to the park when she noticed her neighbor picking up trash. Rachel stopped and helped her pick up all the trash.What is the theme?

• bravery

• kindness

• determination

Matthew was walking in the halls at school with his friends when he saw a little boy drop his lunch money. Matthew's friend said they should keep the money, but Matthew didn't feel that was the right thing to do. He returned the money to the boy.
What is the theme?

• honesty

• kindness

• team work

Once there was a young boy and an old man. The young boy laughed at the tired, slow old man. Then the young boy needed to interview a veteran for a school project. The old man was very helpful and the boy got an A+ on his paper. The boy felt bad about laughing earlier. 

• Necessity is the mother of invention 

• Don't steal

• Respect your elders

• Slow and steady wins the race