Theme
The main message or moral of the story
Name two text structures and explain what they are.
Cause-effect, problem-solution, compare-contrast, chronological, sequence, descriptive/narrative
What do each of these purposes mean:
Persuade...Inform...Entertain...Argue
Persuade - to convince, Inform - to tell/explain, Entertain - to bring enjoyment, Argue - to change your mind
To find supporting evidence in a fiction passage, look at the characters. Characters often show the theme through their __________, __________, and _______.
Choices
Actions/Dialogue
Changes
Avoid answers that include the words ____ or ______ because it is very rare that something includes everything or not at all.
Always
Never
What is conflict and how does it relate to theme?
Problem in the story
How the conflict is solved usually indicates the message the author is giving the reader
When people cut down too many trees in a forest, animals lose their homes. Because the trees are gone, there is less shade and the soil can dry out quickly. This can cause plants to die and make it harder for new trees to grow. As a result, fewer animals are able to survive in that area. Therefore, protecting forests helps keep plants, animals, and the environment healthy.
Cause-effect
Students should be encouraged to read books every day because reading helps improve vocabulary and understanding. When kids read regularly, they become better writers and communicators in school. Reading also helps strengthen imagination by allowing students to explore new ideas and worlds. Schools should provide time each day for silent reading so all students can build this important skill. By making reading a daily habit, students can become more successful in all subjects.
Signal word: should
Repetition
Read the question before the _______.
Maya was nervous about trying out for the school play because she had never acted before. She almost decided to go home, but her best friend encouraged her to give it a try. When Maya stepped on stage, she remembered to be brave and did her best. Even though she didn’t get the main role, she felt proud for trying something new.
Trying something new can be scary but rewarding.
Sequence
Last Saturday, a mischievous squirrel snuck into Mr. Taylor’s backyard and discovered his bird feeder. The squirrel carefully climbed down a thin branch, wobbling like a tightrope walker, and nearly dropped the peanuts it had stolen. Suddenly, the family dog barked, sending the squirrel zooming up the tree in a flash of gray fur. From the window, Mr. Taylor couldn’t help but laugh at the tiny thief’s speedy escape.
Entertain
Theme: Hard work leads to success
Evidence:
A - A character tries once and quits.
B - A character keeps practicing even when they fail, and eventually improves.
C - A character pays a buddy to do the project for him.
D - A character researches how to complete the project using the Internet.
B - A character keeps practicing even when they fail, and eventually improves.
Use the _______ tool to mark important information in the text, especially subheadings and repetition.
Highlighter
Liam found a lost puppy shivering in the park on his way home from school. Even though he wanted to keep it, he knew the puppy might belong to someone else. He made posters and asked neighbors if they recognized it. When the owner was found, Liam felt happy knowing he had done the right thing.
A republic and a democracy are both forms of government where the people have power, but they work in slightly different ways. In a democracy, people often vote directly on laws and decisions (this is called a direct democracy). In a republic, people elect representatives who make laws and decisions on their behalf. For example, the United States is a republic because citizens vote for leaders to represent them in government. While both systems value citizen participation, a republic focuses more on elected representation, while a democracy can involve more direct voting by the people.
Compare/contrast
The water cycle is the process that moves water around Earth. Water from oceans, lakes, and rivers evaporates into the air when the sun heats it. As the water vapor rises, it cools and forms clouds through a process called condensation. Eventually, the water falls back to Earth as precipitation, such as rain or snow.
Inform
Theme - Kindness can make a difference.
Supporting Detail -
A - A character shares lunch with a new student and they become friends.
B - A character ignores the help wanted poster at the library and loses out on a future internship.
C - A character tries to be kind to a bully, but the bully ignores them.
D - A character chooses to go to a sleepover instead of visiting his sick grandmother.
A - A character shares lunch with a new student and they become friends.
Avoid _______ in the answer choices that make no sense or give false information.
Traps
Ethan was excited to build a model rocket for the science fair, but his first attempt didn’t work at all. He felt frustrated and wanted to give up, but he decided to try again and learn from his mistakes. It took hours. After several tries, his rocket finally launched into the air. Ethan entered his rocket into the science fair and received second place.
Giving up doesn't earn you anything.
Trying again gets results.
Perseverance leads to success.
Plastic waste has become a big problem in many oceans around the world. It harms sea animals that may eat it or get tangled in it. One solution is to reduce the use of single-use plastics like straws and bags. People can also recycle more and join community clean-up efforts. By taking these actions, we can help protect ocean life and keep our planet cleaner.
Problem-Solution
The Amazon Rainforest is one of the largest rainforests in the world and is located in South America. It receives a large amount of rainfall each year, which helps many different plants and animals survive there. Scientists estimate that millions of species live in the rainforest, many of which have not yet been discovered. The Amazon also plays an important role in the Earth’s climate by helping to produce oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide.
Central Idea: Animals in the rainforest depend on each other and their environment to survive.
Supporting Evidence:
A - It produces about 20% of the world’s oxygen, which is why it is often called the “lungs of the Earth.”
B - Deforestation is a major threat, meaning large areas of trees are being cut down for farming and development.
C - It is the largest rainforest in the world, covering about 2.1 million square miles.
D- Some insects help plants grow by pollinating flowers, which allows new plants to form.
D- Some insects help plants grow by pollinating flowers, which allows new plants to form.
Do not _____/______ items because it could lower your score since the test adapts to your answer choices as you take the test.
Flag/skip