Theme Topics / Big Ideas
These stories have characters that trust one another and remain loyal throughout the story. What would the big idea or topic be?
What is friendship
These stories have characters that are brave enough to overcome a fearful or difficult situation or accept a challenge. What would the big idea or topic be?
What is courage or bravery
Instead of saying a fable has a theme, a lot of times we say a fable has a __________
What is moral
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 Not all adults tell the truth
C Vegetables are good for you
A Actions speak louder than words
What is theme?
What is the lesson or message of the story
These stories have characters that are friendly, generous, and considerate of others' feelings. What would the big idea or topic be?
What is kindness
These stories have characters that accept and respect the differences and beliefs of others. What would the big idea or topic be?
What is acceptance
Many fables have talking ______________
animals
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.
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 or big idea.
These stories have characters that avoid trouble by being prepared and ready for any situation. What would the big idea or topic be?
What is preparedness
These stories have characters that find clever ways to solve problems. What would the big idea or topic be?
What is resourcefulness or creativity
_________________ wrote many of the fables we know.
Who is Aesop
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 Family is the most important thing in life.
C You can learn a lot from plants.
A Accept yourself for who you are.
If you are having trouble determining the theme of a passage on a test, what are 2 things you could do?
What is reread the passage and think of theme topics that might help you then come up with a theme or look for clues in the title or in the experiences of the characters.
These stories have characters that work together to complete a task or reach a goal. What would the big idea or topic be?
What is cooperation or team work
These stories have characters that care for and help those who are suffering. What would the big idea or topic be?
What is compassion
Name a fable and the moral of it
What is various answers
Example: The boy who cried wolf; always tell the truth.
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 Crying over little things is pointless.
B If you are greedy, you might get nothing.
What could be a possible theme to the topic of family?
Various answers.
Ex. Family means nobody gets left behind (from Lilo and Stich)
These stories have characters that learn that it is best to always tell the truth. What would the big idea or topic be?
What is honesty
These stories have characters that keep trying and never give up even when things do not work out at first. What would the big idea or topic be?
What is perseverance
Name a fable and its moral
What is various answers
Ex. The three little pigs; hard work pays off.
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?
What is even though you have good intentions, others may not; do the right thing, without expecting something in return.
What could be a possible theme to the topic of love?
Various Answers
Ex. Only love can drive out hate. (moral learned from a quote by Martin Luther King Jr.)