Theme Time
What is a topic?
What a text is about; usually a word or short phrase.
Evidence answers which question: WHAT? or HOW/WHY?
WHAT?
What is an inference?
A reasonable conclusion based on evidence.
Sarah grabbed her backpack because she was late.
What is the pronoun?
SHE
Name one topic that has been developing in Hatchet.
Possible answers: Survival, perseverance, independence, responsibility, adapting, courage.
Which one is a theme?
A. Courage
B. Courage can help people face difficult situations.
B. A is only a topic.
Explanation answers which question: WHAT? or HOW/WHY?
HOW/WHY?
What is a prediction?
A reasonable idea about what may happen next based on evidence.
In that same sentence, what is the antecedent of she?
SARAH
Brian experiences a problem, makes a mistake, and changes what he does afterward. What might that pattern reveal about him?
Possible answer: Brian is learning from experience and beginning to adapt/change.
Why is “friendship” NOT a complete theme?
It only tells the subject; it doesn't give a message about friendship.
Claim: Jordan is becoming more responsible.
Which is evidence?
A. Jordan is becoming responsible.
B. Jordan begins completing his homework before playing video games.
B.
Carlos keeps looking at the clock and tapping his foot. I think he is nervous or impatient.
Inference or prediction?
INFERENCE
The dog chased the ball until it rolled under the table.
What is the antecedent of it?
ball
Which is the stronger analytical statement?
A. Brian is changing.
B. Brian's experiences are teaching him to make more thoughtful choices.
B
A character fails several times but continues trying until she succeeds. Give one possible theme.
Answers vary. Example: Continuing to try after failure can help people overcome challenges.
Maya returns a lost wallet even though no one saw her find it.
This reveals that Maya values honesty because she chooses to do the right thing even when no one is watching.
Evidence or explanation?
Explanation.
Yesterday Ava forgot her lunch. Tonight she puts it beside her backpack so she won't forget it tomorrow. I think Ava will remember her lunch tomorrow.
Inference or prediction?
PREDICTION
Marcus talked to Eli after he became upset.
What's the problem with the pronoun?
It's unclear whether he means Marcus or Eli.
Give ONE experience Brian has had so far that taught him something.
What did Brian learn from that experience?
Answers vary based on the text
A story is about responsibility. The main character learns to prepare before making important decisions. Give the topic AND a possible theme.
Topic = responsibility. Possible theme = Preparing before making important decisions can prevent problems.
Claim: Leo is becoming more independent.
Evidence:
Leo begins solving problems himself instead of immediately asking his older brother for help.
Give an explanation.
This shows Leo is becoming more independent because he is beginning to rely on himself to solve problems.
TRUE or FALSE:
If a prediction does not come true, it was automatically a bad prediction.
FALSE
Rewrite this so the pronoun is clear:
Mia called Sofia after she finished her homework.
Possible answers:
Mia called Sofia after Mia finished her homework.
OR
Mia called Sofia after Sofia finished her homework.
Complete the chain:
EXPERIENCE → ________ → FUTURE CHOICE
LESSON
How can this chain help us make predictions about Brian?