Lesson: Identify The Theme

Lesson: Identify The Theme

Theme is one of the most difficult literary elements for students to understand. It's a buried message, an undercurrent that requires students to bring together clues found in other elements such as characters, setting and plot. It's not merely an identification that needs to take place, but rather a thoughtful synthesis of ideas. It's our job to show students that it's worth the mental workout. Understanding theme leads students to develop a deeper appreciation for literature. Since many traditional tales were originally told with the purpose of passing on wisdom or teaching a lesson, the themes are not as difficult to uncover in traditional tales as they are in other forms of literature. In fact, most traditional tales have themes that can't be missed! That makes traditional tales an ideal genre for introducing theme to young students. This lesson teaches students the thought process involved in identifying theme. Small book groups meet to discuss the theme within their traditional tale and support their thoughts by citing evidence from the text. Students are asked to personally connect to the theme by answering the question: "How can the lesson in this traditional tale help me in my own life?"

Objectives (Key concepts, skills and knowledge)

Learns about the literary element of theme Identifies the theme within a reading selection Supports a proposed theme by citing evidence from the text Makes personal connections to a theme

Evidence of Student Success

Develops a theme for his/her In2Books traditional tale selection that displays his or her

understanding of the story using one or more supporting examples from the text. States how theme can help him/her in his/her own life

Preparation 1. Read Lesson 6. 2. Choose a short, familiar traditional tale to read aloud. 3. Gather chart paper and markers. 4. Copy the Theme Chart (pdf) for each student. 5. Copy Take Home Page (pdf) for each student. 6. Have your assessment checklist (pdf) handy. During today's lesson, use column 6 which

says "Identifies theme of a tale and cites supporting evidence" to record your students' progress with the concept of theme.

1. Define Theme

5 minutes

Write the word THEME on your chart paper. Tell students that today they will be working as

detectives trying to find the theme in their traditional tales. Explain that theme is not easy to find,

because it's not written anywhere in the story. It's only something that can be found when you

put together clues from around the story. Ask students to share their understandings of the word

theme. Be sure to immediately clarify any misconceptions.

Explain that every story is about something. What the story is about is the topic. How the author feels about the topic is the theme. Tips for explaining theme: It is.....the greater meaning, the author's message, a lesson about the world or human nature, the POINT of the story It is

not.....what happened in the story, the topic, problem, the solution.

Be sure to tell students that many stories have more than one theme, but most often there is one main, overarching theme.

2. Read Aloud

5-10 minutes

Read aloud your short, familiar traditional tale.

3. Theme Chart

10 minutes

After the read aloud, share with students how you think to determine the theme of the book:

Think about the feelings of the main character. Frequently the main characters feelings express the theme.

Think about the actions of the main character. Frequently the actions of the main character demonstrate the theme.

Think about the lesson that the main character learned by solving the problem(s) in the story. Many times that lesson is the theme.

Look for repetition. The theme is woven throughout the story; so ideas words or actions that are repeated may indicate the theme.

Model how to use the Theme Chart to record the theme and evidence supporting your theme.

Tell students that a theme chart needs to have at least one piece of evidence, but that two or

three pieces of evidence make support for identifying the theme even stronger!

4. Small Groups

15 minutes

Divide students into their book groups and have each group work together to identify the theme of their book. Ask each student to complete his/her own Theme Chart. Circulate around the room with your assessment chart to make notes about individual student's progress in identifying theme and providing supporting evidence.

Questions to ask to help guide students in uncovering the theme.... What is the greater meaning of the story? What might this story be trying to teach you? What message is the author sending you inside this story? What's the point of telling and retelling this traditional tale? What did the main character learn from the problem and solution?

5. Reflection

5 minutes

Gather the class back together as a whole.

Ask groups to comment on their experience with identifying theme and finding supporting evidence. What made the process easy or difficult for them? Problem solve together to help any groups that are still struggling.

Ask students to consider how the theme of the traditional tale can help them in their own lives. Have students share their thoughts with someone sitting near them.

Remind students that they should discuss the theme of their book and their personal connection in their letter to their pen pal!

6. Take Home Page

10 minutes

Read through the Take Home Page with students and provide them with clear expectations for how you want it completed. Remind students that they can use other resources such as their vocabulary journals/word-association activity, writer's notebook and theme chart to help them complete their letter home. Allow students to ask questions to clarify your directions if needed.

Give students each their copy of the Take Home Page to complete independently and take home to share. School-Home Connection

Instruct students to give their completed Take Home Page to an adult at home. Extensions

1. Reflect on Prior Readings

Ask students to reflect on prior readings (especially their In2Books contemporary realistic fiction book) to identify theme/s. Also discuss themes from past read alouds in other genres. Begin a chart listing common themes (and books that represent those themes) that you can add to throughout the year. Encourage students to keep their own theme-based book lists in their writer's notebooks.

2. Building Understanding of Theme

The element of "theme" is present not only in literature, but also in movies. Connect this concept to the wider world by asking students to 1) name movies they've recently seen and 2) explain the theme/s that were present in the film. Ask students to provide evidence for their theme identification. Discuss: Are the themes of movies the same as the themes found in literature? How are the themes expressed differently in writing versus film?

3. Connect To Character Education

Traditional tales not only provide insight for students into problem solving, but also have been used throughout the ages for character education. Take the opportunity to build your students character by exploring the themes and asking questions that develop moral reasoning. The Moral Of The Story by Bobby and Sherry Norfolk includes a rationale for using traditional tales in character education as well as informal lesson plans to get you started!

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