4th Grade Stories
Theme: Communities can help people in need
What is Rent Party Jazz?
Theme: Always tell the ___________.
What is truth.
A man worked his entire life for money. He never took the time to make friends or start a family. When he was an old man, he was rich but miserable.
What is money can't buy happiness.
The first step from the anchor chart on identifying theme.
What is "What happens to the characters?"
Jasmine was sitting in Mr. Bridges office. She was sobbing uncontrollably. "But I didn't do anything! It wasn't my fault," she said. Jasmine was in Mr. Bridges office at least three times a week for misbehaving in class. What character trait best describes Jasmine? a. happy b. mad c. afraid
What is mad?
Theme: People can overcome their challenges
What is Blind Ambition?
Theme: _______ work pays off.
What is hard?
Jessica was distraught at being assigned to work on a group art project with Susan. Thy were complete opposites, and she knew they would not get along. Jessica soon discovered that Susan was fantastic at sketching real life objects, which was a skill that jessica had never mastered. Together, the two girls put together a great project!
What is Differences can bring people together
The second step from the anchor chart on identifying theme.
What is "How do the characters react?"
James looks forward to reading his favorite comic books everyday after school and on the weekends. He asked his mother if he could volunteer at the public library on the weekends to help sort the children's books. How would you describe James? a. independent b. enthusiastic c. curious
What is b. enthusiastic.
Theme: Everyone has to determine their own interests and goals.
What is Year of the Rat?
Theme: Don't judge a book by its ______?
What is cover?
A new girl in school wanted to fit in. She started to dress like the popular girls. She was mean to the smart kids. She wasn’t being herself at all, but one girl was still nice to her. Eventually, they became friends and the girl learned a lesson about being herself.
What is be happy with who you are
The third step from the anchor chart on identifying theme.
What is "What do the characters learn?"
A synonym for the character trait attentive? a. aware b. capable c. uninterested
What is a. aware?
Theme: Someone's size does not determine their worth
What is Kitoto the Mighty?
Theme: Always do the ______ thing
What is right?
Blaine opened up the present and began pouting. He screamed in a high-pitched voice, "This is Captain Thunder! I wanted Captain Lightning!" His mother looked at him with dismay and handed him another present, which he greedily opened. "Why did you get me a red hat? You know I like blue more," Blaine whined as he threw the hat across the room. His mother straightened her expression and squinted at him. Earlier she had hoped to take some pictures of this moment, but by now she had put away her camera. She sighed and handed him one more present in hopes that this year wouldn't be a total bust. Blaine huffed and opened it. "A Game Box 4000?! wow. Where's the Game Box 5000 that I asked for?" His mother could bear his ingratitude no longer. The next time that Blaine returned from his father's house, he was shocked to find that all of these toys and gifts, along with many other of his things, had been generously donated to needy children. What is the theme?
What is be thankful for what you have in life.
The fourth step from the anchor chart on identifying theme.
What is "How do the characters grow or change?"
Ray sends his sketches to the local newspaper weekly in hopes that his sketch will be published for the comic section. After he has completed his homework, he watches tutorials on how to incorporate new designs into his sketches. How would you describe Ray? a. ambitious b. discouraged c. happy
What is a. ambitious
Theme: Culture is an important part of someone's identity
What is Yes! We Are Latinos!
Theme: _____ speak louder than words?
What are actions?
Caden and his brother Connor were building a Lego set together. Connor was getting mad when he was unable to read the directions to the Lego set. Caden decided to read the directions out loud. They were all to build the Lego set together.
What is the importance of being helpful?
The last step to identifying theme
What is "What is the author trying to teach me?"
The message that is in the story or what the story is about.
What is theme.