Theme
What is another word/ way to ask "what is the theme?"
What is the message, moral, or lesson?
What are the 3 main reasons an author writes a story? (PIE)
Persuade, Inform, Entertain
Lily and her family walked along the beach as the sun began to set. The sky turned shades of orange, pink, and purple. Seagulls flew overhead, and the sound of waves crashing filled the air. Lily picked up seashells while the cool breeze brushed against her face.
What is the setting?
Beach at sunset
I walked into the classroom and felt my heart beat fast. I was nervous because it was my first day at a new school. I took a deep breath and sat down, hoping I would make a friend.
What point of view is this?
First Person
Dogs and cats are both popular pets. Dogs need to be walked every day, while cats usually stay inside. Dogs often enjoy playing outside, but cats like to relax and nap more.
What text structure is used?
Compare and Contrast
Jake wanted to learn how to ride his bike without training wheels. The first time he tried, he fell. The second time, he fell again. Jake felt frustrated, but he kept practicing every day. Finally, after many tries, he was able to ride all by himself!
What is the theme?
Never give up (perseverance)
Brushing your teeth is important for keeping them clean and healthy. Dentists recommend brushing twice a day for two minutes each time. This helps prevent cavities and keeps your smile bright.
What is the author’s purpose?
Inform
“She is as quiet as a mouse.”
What kind of figurative language is this? (Personification, Simile, Hyperbole)
Simile
Jaden packed his lunch and got ready for school. He felt excited because his class was going on a field trip. As he got on the bus, he smiled at his friends and couldn’t wait for the day to begin.
What point of view is this?
Third Person
First, you crack two eggs into a bowl. Next, you mix them with milk. Then, pour the mixture into a pan and cook until done.
What text structure is used?
Sequence (Chronological Order)
Lily broke her mom’s favorite vase while playing inside. At first, she said she didn’t do it. Later, she felt guilty and told the truth. Her mom was upset but proud that Lily was honest.
What is the theme?
Honesty is important (always tell the truth)
Dolphins are smart sea animals that live in oceans around the world. They eat fish and use clicking sounds to communicate with each other. Dolphins often travel in groups called pods.
What is the author’s purpose?
Inform
At the beginning of the school year, Noah stayed quiet and kept to himself. He was nervous to talk to others and avoided trying new activities. As the weeks went on, his teacher encouraged him to join a small group and participate in class games. By the end of the year, Noah was laughing with classmates, answering questions, and even joined the soccer team.
How did the character change?
He became more brave/confident/outgoing
Yesterday was the best day ever! I woke up early because I was so excited for my birthday party. I helped decorate the house with balloons and streamers. When my friends arrived, we played games and ate cake. I didn’t want the day to end!
Who is telling the story?
The person celebrating their birthday (the main character / the “I” in the story)
The classroom was messy with papers all over the floor. To fix this, the students worked together to clean up and organize everything.
What was the problem and what was the solution?
Problem: messy classroom
Solution: students cleaned and organized
Marcus and Jayden stopped being friends after an argument during a game. They didn’t talk for days. Finally, they both apologized and realized they missed each other. They became even better friends after forgiving one another.
What is the theme?
Friendship is important.
Everyone should help keep our school clean. If we pick up trash and take care of our classrooms, we can make our school a better place for everyone. You can help by cleaning up after yourself every day.
What is the author’s purpose?
Persuade
“I’m so hungry I could eat a horse!”
What kind of figurative language is this? (Personification, Simile, Hyperbole)
Hyperbole
I walked into the gym and felt nervous. My hands were shaking, but I told myself I could do it. I took a deep breath and stepped forward.
What kind of words tell you this is first person point of view?
“I,” “my,” and “myself” (first person pronouns)
Jake forgot to set his alarm, so he woke up late. Because he was rushing, he forgot his homework at home. As a result, he couldn’t turn it in at school.
What words show cause and effect in this passage?
so, because, as a result
Sofia only cared about winning the school race. She pushed past others and didn’t help when someone fell. Later, she saw another student stop to help and realized that being kind mattered more than winning.
What is the theme?
Kindness is more important than winning
Liam built a rocket in his backyard using boxes and tape. One night, it magically blasted off into space! He flew past planets, met friendly aliens, and had the adventure of a lifetime before returning home.
What is the author’s purpose?
Entertain
“The wind sang through the trees like it was putting on a show.”
What kind of figurative language is this? (Personification, Simile, Hyperbole)
Personification (and simile?)
Sofia stood at the front of the classroom, holding her paper tightly. She felt a little nervous, but her classmates smiled at her. She took a deep breath and began to read her report out loud.
What point of view is this, and what words help you know?
Third person;
words like “she,” “her,” and “herself” help show this
First, Emma noticed her fish was not swimming much. She realized she had forgotten to feed it. After she fed the fish, it started moving around again.
Which text structure BEST fits this passage—sequence, cause and effect, or problem and solution?
Explain your answer.
Cause and Effect because not feeding the fish caused it to be inactive, and feeding it made it active again
(accept: problem and solution with explanation)