Theme
What is a “theme” in a story?
A: A central message, lesson, or idea the author conveys.
What is 144 ÷ 12?
12
I fly without wings, I cry without eyes. Whenever I go, darkness flies. What am I?
A: A cloud (or maybe a “bat” depending on variation).
What important background information do we learn at the beginning of Hansel and Gretel?
We learn that Hansel and Gretel live with their poor father and cruel stepmother, who wants to leave them in the woods because there’s not enough food.
What’s 34 × 7?
238
Name one theme of Hansel and Gretel.
Possible answers: bravery, resourcefulness, risk/trust, danger of temptation.(theme is not just one word)
Divide 2,376 ÷ 24.
99
What room do ghosts prefer?
A: The living room.
What event starts the main problem of the story?
The stepmother convinces the father to abandon Hansel and Gretel in the forest.
What is 123 × 45?
5,535.
How does Hansel and Gretel illustrate the theme of “resourcefulness”?
A: Gretel and Hansel think of ways to survive (breadcrumbs, tricking the witch) and escape.
Divide 5,432 ÷ 56 =
97
I’m tall when I’m young and short when I’m old. What am I?
A candle.
Name one event that builds suspense and moves the story forward before the climax.
The children find the candy house and are captured by the witch.
Multiply 2,348 × 19.
44,612.
In Hansel and Gretel, how is the theme of “temptation” shown?
A: The children are tempted by the candy house, which leads them into danger.
Divide 7,845 ÷ 35
224 remainder 5
The more you take, the more you leave behind. What am I?
Footsteps
What is the turning point or most intense moment in Hansel and Gretel?
Gretel tricks the witch and pushes her into the oven to save herself and Hansel.
5,673 × 28 = ?
158,844.
Explain how the ending of Hansel and Gretel reinforces a theme of “home and safety.”
A: After escaping the witch, Hansel and Gretel return home safely to their father and regain security; showing coming back to safety matters.
A school orders 1,458 markers to be put into boxes of 27. How many full boxes can be filled and how many markers remain?
54 full boxes
What kind of music do mummies love most?
Wrap music.
What happens after the witch is defeated, and how is the main conflict resolved?
Hansel and Gretel escape with the witch’s treasure, find their way home, and reunite with their father—ending the story safely.
A factory produces 3,215 widgets each day. How many widgets in 368 days?
1,183,120.