What is the Theme?

Lena was excited about her first day at her new school. When she got to class, she realized she didn’t know anyone. At lunch, she sat alone until Mia walked over and asked if she wanted to join her group. Lena smiled and nodded. What is the theme of this story?

• Sharing is caring

• First days are always hard

• Kindness helps others feel welcome

• Always eat lunch with your teacher

Tommy practiced shooting basketballs every day after school. At first, he missed most of his shots. But he didn’t give up. After weeks of practice, he started making more baskets and even joined the school team.

What is the theme of this story?

• Practice makes you better

• Always play outside

• You need new shoes to play well

• Winning is everything

Sarah and her little brother were home alone when the lights went out. Her brother started to cry, but Sarah stayed calm. She got a flashlight and read him a story until their parents came home.

What is the theme of this story?

• Reading is fun

• Staying calm can help in scary times

• It’s fun to play in the dark

• Don’t forget to pay your electric bill

Max saw his friend drop his toy at the park, but his friend didn’t notice. Max picked it up and gave it back without being asked. “Thanks!” his friend said. “You’re a good friend.” What is the theme of this story?

• Don’t bring toys to the park

• Always watch where you walk

• Doing the right thing shows honesty

• Max wants to keep the toy

The class was working on a group project. Everyone wanted their own idea to be used. After talking and listening to each other, they combined all their ideas into one great plan. What is the theme of this story?

• Group work is never fun

• Listening and teamwork lead to success

• Only one person should lead a group

• Always choose the first idea

A donkey and a fox decided to team up to find food together. They were travelling in the forest when they crossed paths with a lion. They were both scared. But the fox hoped to save himself. He approached the lion and offered to help him get the donkey, if the lion would let him escape unharmed.

The lion agreed. So the fox and the donkey walked on, with the lion trailing behind them. The fox led the donkey to a hidden pit, left by some long‐ago hunter as a trap for wild animals, and the donkey fell in. As soon as the donkey was in the pit, the lion came out of hiding and ate the fox. Then he ate the donkey.

What is the theme of the story "The Donkey, the Fox and the Lion"?

• Be prepared

• Betraying a friend also hurts you.

• Revenge hurts the avenger.

• Always travel in groups for safety.

It was a beautiful spring day. The grasshopper was flitting about, enjoying himself, when he crossed paths with an ant. The ant was working very hard, carrying bits of food deep down into his anthill. “Why are you working so hard?” The grasshopper said. “I want to have plenty to eat,” the ant replied. The grasshopper laughed. “Plenty to eat!” he cried. “Why there is food everywhere that you look!” “That’s true,” the ant said. “There is enough food for today. But there will come a day when it won’t be true.” The grasshopper hopped away, not wanting to bother with the morose little ant. 3. The Bald Man and the Fly A fly bit a bald man on the head. The man tried to shoo the fly away. But the fly landed on the man’s head and bit him again. This made the man furious. He slapped his head to squash the fly, but the fly few away just before the man delivered a stinging slap to his own head. The fly landed on the man’s head a third time and laughed at him. “You would hurt yourself just to get back at me?” he taunted. The man was so enraged that he tried to hit the fly with a rock. Instead he knocked himself, senseless, to the ground.

Soon spring gave way to summer, summer to fall, and fall to winter. When the fields were covered with snow, the ant sat far down in his anthill, safe and warm, his stomach full, confident that he had enough to eat to see him through the winter. The grasshopper, who had not made any preparations for winter, shivered, and went from one friend to another begging for food and feeling very foolish indeed.

What is the story's theme in "The Ant and the Grasshopper"?

• Revenge hurts the avenger.

• Be prepared.

• Betraying a friend also hurts you.

• It's okay to rely on others for help.

A fly bit a bald man on the head. The man tried to shoo the fly away. But the fly landed on the man’s head and bit him again. This made the man furious. He slapped his head to squash the fly, but the fly few away just before the man delivered a stinging slap to his own head. The fly landed on the man’s head a third time and laughed at him. “You would hurt yourself just to get back at me?” he taunted. The man was so enraged that he tried to hit the fly with a rock. Instead he knocked himself, senseless, to the ground.

What is the theme of the story "The Bald Man and the Fly"?

• Betraying a friend also hurts you.

• Be prepared.

• Revenge hurts the avenger.

• Always ask for help when you're angry.