Theme
What is theme?
Lesson or message of the story. What the author wants us to learn.
What is the main idea:
Every morning, students in Ms. Carter’s class begin their day by unpacking their materials and getting their desks ready. They complete a short warm-up activity while the teacher takes attendance. After that, the teacher goes over the day’s schedule so students know what they will be learning. The class then gets ready to begin their first lesson.
The class follows a morning routine to get ready for learning.
The athlete was exhausted after running five miles and could barely stand, what clue helps you understand the word exhausted?
barely stand / running five miles
A passage uses the words I, me, and my throughout. What point of view is being used?
1st person
What is setting?
Where the story takes place.
In a story, a character works hard, never gives up, and achieves their goal. What could a theme statement be?
If you work hard and never give up, you will achieve your goals.
What is the main idea?
Liam practiced dribbling a basketball every day after school. He worked on shooting from different spots on the court and passing to his teammates. At first, he missed many shots, but he kept practicing. Over time, his skills improved, and he became one of the strongest players on the team.
Liam improves his basketball skills through practice.
The ancient castle was so dilapidated that parts of the walls were crumbling and broken. What does dilapidated most likely mean?
old and falling apart
A passage uses the words he, she, and they to describe what is happening in the story. What point of view is being used?
What is third person point of view?
What does it mean to compare or contrast?
Find similarities and differences.
How is theme different from a summary?
A theme is a lesson or message the author wants us to learn, a summary is retelling what happened in the story.
What is the main idea?
In many cities, recycling programs help reduce waste. People separate paper, plastic, and glass into different bins. These materials are collected and reused to make new products. Recycling helps keep trash out of landfills and protects the environment.
Recycling helps reduce waste and protect the environment.
The scientist made a groundbreaking discovery that changed everything we know about space, what does groundbreaking most likely mean?
very important and new
A story says: We walked to the park and played soccer until sunset. What point of view is being used?
What is first person point of view?
What is a simile
A sentence that uses like or as to compare two unlike things.
What is the theme of Where the Mountain Meets the Moon?
Be grateful or thankful for what you have.
Helping others will benefit you in the end.
What is the main idea?
During the school science fair, students presented projects on different topics. Some students built models of volcanoes, while others tested how plants grow under different lights. Parents and teachers walked around the gym, asking questions and giving feedback. At the end of the day, awards were given for creativity and effort.
The science fair allowed students to present projects and share their learning.
The puppy was timid and hid behind its owner when guests entered the house, what clue helps you understand the word timid?
hid behind its owner
A passage says: Tom watched as his sister opened the mysterious box. He wondered what was inside, but he didn’t ask her. What point of view is being used?
Third person POV
To make an educated guess.
What was the theme of Wonder?
Be kind to everyone, even if people look different than you.
Being a good friend can make people feel more confident.
Stand up for others and you will be rewarded.
Be confident in yourself even if you feel different than others.
What is the main idea?
Many animals have special adaptations that help them survive in their environments. For example, camels store fat in their humps to survive in the desert. Arctic foxes grow thick fur to stay warm in freezing temperatures. Some fish can even change color to hide from predators. These adaptations increase their chances of survival.
Animals have adaptations that help them survive in their environments.
The chef was meticulous, carefully measuring every ingredient before mixing the batter, what clue helps you understand the word meticulous?
carefully measuring
How can you tell the difference between first person and third person point of view when reading a story?
First person uses I/me/we, while third person uses he/she/they and tells about characters from outside the story?
What is a metaphor?
A sentence that compares two unlike things.