Theme
What is theme?
The main message or lesson that the author wants us to learn.
What is an inference?
Using what you know and what the text says to infer actions from a story?
Who are the characters in this passage?
"That's ever so nice of you," said Mama. "I'd be happy to take it, but I'll have to ask my husband and daughter what they think." Sarah followed the man outside while Mama went to get Daddy, who was kneading dough in the back. The table was lying on its side, and it was huge. It must be seven or eight feet long and at least four feet wide, thought Sarah. Strong looking, too, with its thick, swirled oak legs. They'd have to keep it in the front of the store since there wouldn't be room in back. But it would be just right for kneading dough. The tables were too small.
Mama, Daddy, and Sarah
What is first person point of view?
When the narrator is telling the story from his/her point of view.
Most of the food was too high to reach, so everyone gathered in a circle to decide what to do. They had no choice but to cut down the tree. They began right away, the birds pecking with their beaks and the animals digging with their claws and gnawing with their teeth at the massive trunk.
Finally, after two whole days and two whole nights of work, the Food Tree swayed for a moment, then tottered. There was a deafening crunch as the Food Tree began to fall. Broken branches laden with fruit came tumbling down.
What is the theme of this passage?
A Sharing things with others can lead to good friendships.
B. Difficult problems can require careful teamwork to be solved.
B. Difficult problems can require careful teamwork to be solved.
Tapir's finding something good to eat, and she's not sharing it with us," said Mouse.
What is the characters' challenge in this sentence?
She's not sharing it with us.
What inference can you make about James Watt's character from this passage?
But James Watt persevered, and in the end was able to give to the world the first successful form of the steam engine. Thus, from the study of so simple a thing as a common teakettle, the most useful of all modern inventions was finally produced.
He perservered, he worked hard, he was smart...
"Ma'am," he said, "I have a big table in my truck here. I thought since you folks were in the baking business, you might want it. It's been in our basement a long time and we don't need it."
"What do you think?" asked Sarah. "It would be perfect for kneading dough and shaping loaves."
Daddy shook his head. "I don't know. We don't have room for it in the back."
How is Sarah's reaction to the offer of the table different than Daddy's?
A. Sarah wants the table, but Daddy doesn't.
B. Neither one wants the table.
A. Sarah wants the table, but Daddy doesn't.
What is third person point of view?
When a narrator is not in a story and telling the story from another character's point of view.
"There is a wonderful power in steam," he said to himself. "There was never a giant who had so much strength. If we only knew how to harness that power, there is no end to the things it might do for us. It would not only lift weights, but it would turn all kinds of machinery. It would draw our wagons, it would push our ships, it would plow and sow, it would spin and weave. For thousands of years men have been working alongside of this power, never dreaming that it might be made their servant.
What inference did James Watt make about how steam might help humans?
A. It would draw our wagons, it would push our ships, it would plow and sow, it would spin and weave.
B. For thousands of years men have been working alongside of this power, never dreaming thatit might be made their servant.
A. It would draw our wagons, it would push our ships, it would plow and sow, it would spin and weave.
Courage, cooperation, and compassion are examples of theme. Name another theme?
kindness, loyalty, honesty...
A little boy from Scotland was sitting in his grandmother's kitchen. He was watching the red flames in the wide open fireplace and quietly wondering about the causes of things. Indeed, he was always wondering and always wanting to know.
How would you describe James?
A. silly
B. curious
C. mean
D. lazy
B. curious
Though Daddy had never said a word about it, they both knew that he would rather people didn't see him work with dough. It was silly, thought Sarah, and the sooner he got over it, the better.
"Please, Daddy," Sarah cried, "let's take the table. Besides, the front of the store looks bare, and when the shop is open we can use the table as a counter."
How is Sarah's reasons for wanting the table different from Daddy's?
A. She doesn't mind people watching her bake.
B. Daddy thinks the table will fall apart.
A. She doesn't mind people watching her bake.
The water came up to my hips, and then to my waist. The cold bite of it took my breath away. I felt my body grow numb. I couldn't feel my feet at all but I knew they were moving. When the water reached my armpits I stopped and worked my pole toward Little Ann. Stretching my arms as far out as I could, I saw I was still a foot short. Closing my eyes and gritting my teeth, I moved on. The water reached my chin.
I was close enough. I started hooking at the collar of Little Ann. Time after time I felt the hook almost catch. I saw I was fishing on a wrong angle. Shehad settled so low in the water I couldn't reach her collar. Raising my arms above my head so the pole would be on a slant I kept hooking and praying.
The seconds ticked by. I strained for one more inch. The muscles in my arms grew numb from the weight of the pole.
How would you describe the emotions of the main character?
A. frightened, but driven
B. powerful, but insecure
A frightened, but driven
Though Daddy had never said a word about it, they both knew that he would rather people didn't see him work with dough. It was silly, thought Sarah, and the sooner he got over it, the better.
"Please, Daddy," Sarah cried, "let's take the table. Besides, the front of the store looks bare, and when the shop is open we can use the table as a counter."
How is Sarah's reasons for wanting the table different from Daddy's?
A. She doesn't mind people watching her bake.
B. Daddy thinks the table will fall apart.
A. She doesn't mind people watching her bake.
Most of the food was too high to reach, so everyone gathered in a circle to decide what to do. They had no choice but to cut down the tree. They began right away, the birds pecking with their beaks and the animals digging with their claws and gnawing with their teeth at the massive trunk.
Finally, after two whole days and two whole nights of work, the Food Tree swayed for a moment, then tottered. There was a deafening crunch as the Food Tree began to fall. Broken branches laden with fruit came tumbling down.
What is the theme of this passage?
A Sharing things with others can lead to good friendships.
B. Difficult problems can require careful teamwork to be solved.
B. Difficult problems can require careful teamwork to be solved.
"There is a wonderful power in steam," he said to himself. "There was never a giant who had so much strength. If we only knew how to harness that power, there is no end to the things it might do for us. It would not only lift weights, but it would turn all kinds of machinery. It would draw our wagons, it would push our ships, it would plow and sow, it would spin and weave. For thousands of years men have been working alongside of this power, never dreaming that it might be made their servant.
What inference did James Watt make about how steam might help humans?
A. It would draw our wagons, it would push our ships, it would plow and sow, it would spin and weave.
B. For thousands of years men have been working alongside of this power, never dreaming thatit might be made their servant.
A. It would draw our wagons, it would push our ships, it would plow and sow, it would spin and weave.
"Ma'am," he said, "I have a big table in my truck here. I thought since you folks were in the baking business, you might want it. It's been in our basement a long time and we don't need it."
"What do you think?" asked Sarah. "It would be perfect for kneading dough and shaping loaves."
How would you describe Sarah?
A. She is angry about having to knead dough.
B. She is excited about getting a table to knead dough.
B. She is excited about getting a table to knead dough.
The water came up to my hips, and then to my waist. The cold bite of it took my breath away. I felt my body grow numb. I couldn't feel my feet at all but I knew they were moving. When the water reached my armpits I stopped and worked my pole toward Little Ann. Stretching my arms as far out as I could, I saw I was still a foot short. Closing my eyes and gritting my teeth, I moved on. The water reached my chin.
I was close enough. I started hooking at the collar of Little Ann. Time after time I felt the hook almost catch. I saw I was fishing on a wrong angle. Shehad settled so low in the water I couldn't reach her collar. Raising my arms above my head so the pole would be on a slant I kept hooking and praying.
The seconds ticked by. I strained for one more inch. The muscles in my arms grew numb from the weight of the pole.
Which sentence shows how the character is frightened?
A. The seconds ticked by.
B. Closing my eyes and gritting my teeth, I moved on. The water reached my chin.
B.
B. Closing my eyes and gritting my teeth, I moved on. The water reached my chin.
Most of the food was too high to reach, so everyone gathered in a circle to decide what to do. They had no choice but to cut down the tree. They began right away, the birds pecking with their beaks and the animals digging with their claws and gnawing with their teeth at the massive trunk.
Finally, after two whole days and two whole nights of work, the Food Tree swayed for a moment, then tottered. There was a deafening crunch as the Food Tree began to fall. Broken branches laden with fruit came tumbling down.
What is the theme of this passage?
A. Difficult problems can require careful teamwork to be solved.
B. Keeping secrets from your friends can cause them to doubt you.
A. Difficult problems can require careful teamwork to be solved.
Most of the food was too high to reach, so everyone gathered in a circle to decide what to do. They had no choice but to cut down the tree. They began right away, the birds pecking with their beaks and the animals digging with their claws and gnawing with their teeth at the massive trunk.
Finally, after two whole days and two whole nights of work, the Food Tree swayed for a moment, then tottered. There was a deafening crunch as the Food Tree began to fall. Broken branches laden with fruit came tumbling down.
What is the theme of this passage?
A. Difficult problems can require careful teamwork to be solved.
B. Keeping secrets from your friends can cause them to doubt you.
A. Difficult problems can require careful teamwork to be solved.
"There is a wonderful power in steam," he said to himself. "There was never a giant who had so much strength. If we only knew how to harness that power, there is no end to the things it might do for us. It would not only lift weights, but it would turn all kinds of machinery. It would draw our wagons, it would push our ships, it would plow and sow, it would spin and weave. For thousands of years men have been working alongside of this power, never dreaming that it might be made their servant.
What inference did James Watt make about how steam might help humans?
A. If we only knew how to harness that power, there is no end to the things it might do for us.
B. It would not only lift weights, but it would turn all kinds of machinery.
B. It would not only lift weights, but it would turn all kinds of machinery.
Though Daddy had never said a word about it, they both knew that he would rather people didn't see him work with dough. It was silly, thought Sarah, and the sooner he got over it, the better.
"Please, Daddy," Sarah cried, "let's take the table. Besides, the front of the store looks bare, and when the shop is open we can use the table as a counter."
How is Daddy's reasons for not wanting the table different from Sarah's?
A. Sarah doesn't want people to see her working.
B. Daddy doesn't want people to watch him bake.
B. Daddy doesn't want people to watch him bake.
The water came up to my hips, and then to my waist. The cold bite of it took my breath away. I felt my body grow numb. I couldn't feel my feet at all but I knew they were moving. When the water reached my armpits I stopped and worked my pole toward Little Ann. Stretching my arms as far out as I could, I saw I was still a foot short. Closing my eyes and gritting my teeth, I moved on. The water reached my chin.
I was close enough. I started hooking at the collar of Little Ann. Time after time I felt the hook almost catch. I saw I was fishing on a wrong angle. She had settled so low in the water I couldn't reach her collar. Raising my arms above my head so the pole would be on a slant I kept hooking and praying.
The seconds ticked by. I strained for one more inch. The muscles in my arms grew numb from the weight of the pole.
Which sentence shows how the character is determined?
A. Raising my arms above my head so the pole would be on a slant I kept hooking and praying.
B. The water came up to my hips, and then to my waist.
A. Raising my arms above my head so the pole would be on a slant I kept hooking and praying.
"There is a wonderful power in steam," he said to himself. "There was never a giant who had so much strength. If we only knew how to harness that power, there is no end to the things it might do for us. It would not only lift weights, but it would turn all kinds of machinery. It would draw our wagons, it would push our ships, it would plow and sow, it would spin and weave. For thousands of years men have been working alongside of this power, never dreaming that it might be made their servant.
What inference did James Watt make about how steam might help humans?
A. If we only knew how to harness that power, there is no end to the things it might do for us.
B. It would not only lift weights, but it would turn all kinds of machinery.
B. It would not only lift weights, but it would turn all kinds of machinery.