Identifying Theme
Mrs. Smith was doing a unit on healthy living with her students. All week she taught her students about eating the correct foods like fruits and vegetables. Over the weekend, some of Mrs. Smith's students were at the mall and saw her eating pizza, a milkshake, and candy. Mrs. Smith's student Molly was going to order a salad, but now decided to order junk food too. What is the theme?
A Actions speak louder than words
B Never eat pizza at the mall
C Vegetables are good for you
A.) Actions speak louder than words
Frozen
Family is forever, be careful who you trust
True or False - A theme is a central message
True
Julia wanted to become a doctor for as long as she could remember. In college when her friends were out at the mall or going out with friends, Julia spent all of her time studying. At graduation, Julia graduated with high honors and was offered a job shortly after. What is the theme?
A Studying is important.
B It is important to go to college.
C Hard work pays off.
C.) Hard work pays off.
Aladdin
true wealth and happiness are found within oneself, not through material possessions or magic
Can theme be just one word? Explain
No, theme can not be just one word. It is a statement. If it is just one word it is considered a theme topic.
Growing up, Sally was always in the shadow of her older sister Mary. Mary always got better grades, was better at sports, and seemed to even be prettier. Sally spent a lot of time in the family's garden feeling sorry for herself. Then one day Mary needed help on a science project about plants. Due to all of her time in the garden, Sally knew a lot about plants and was able help Mary with the project. Sally was shocked that she was better at something than her sister. What is the theme?
A Accept yourself for who you are.
B Sports are not important
C You can learn a lot from plants.
A.) A Accept yourself for who you are.
The Incredibles (Hint: think family)
"With family and marital unity, anything is possible" (D4Darious, "Theme").
True or False - "Big idea" would be a synonym for theme.
True
The Monkey and the Cookies A monkey put his hand into the jar of cookies. He grasped as many as he could possibly hold, but when he tried to pull his hand, he was prevented from doing so by the neck of the cookie jar. Unwilling to lose the cookies, and yet unable to withdraw his hand, he burst into tears and cried bitterly. What is the theme?
A Eating cookies can be dangerous.
B If you are greedy, you might get nothing.
C Don't put your hand in a jar.
B.) If you are greedy, you might get nothing
Lion King
responsibility, leadership, and the cyclical nature of life and death
Which of the following is a theme example.
A.)You will never make a shot that you don't take.
B.) risking
C.) cleaning is good
A.)You will never make a shot that you don't take.
One winter, a monkey found a snake stiff and frozen. The monkey felt sorry for the snake and so he picked the snake up and held it to his chest to try to warm it. The snake was quickly revived by the warmth, and because of its instincts, bit the monkey with all its might. What is the theme?
A Even though you have good intentions, others may not
B Don't hold snakes close to your chest.
C Snakes are dangerous.
A.) Even though you have good intentions, others may not
Toy Story
overcoming jealousy, fostering friendship, and embracing one's identity
What is the difference between the main idea of a story and the theme of a story?
The main idea is mostly what the story is about (a short summary). The theme is the life lesson or moral that the author wants us to remember. It may have nothing to do with the details of the story itself.