Tuesday – theme review Wednesday – theme – central idea

review Thursday – library orientation Friday – theme writing prompt

Definition – the lesson or moral in a story

Listen to the following song and read the lyrics. Identify the “theme” of the song and explain how you came to that conclusion.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6tV11acSRk

In your textbook read, “The People Could Fly” (p. 357).

After reading, use the double entry journal to identify the theme and evidence that supports the them.

What is the theme of the story?

What quotes, phrases, images, etc. helped you identify the theme?

How did the author’s use of images support the theme?

How does the author help the audience identify and understand the theme?

What is “central idea”? - the reason the story was written

The central idea is supported in the text using facts, images, quotes, etc. that support the idea the author is relaying to the audience.

Example: 1. Juan loves to play games. His favorite game is chess because it requires a great deal of thought. Juan also likes to play less demanding board games that are based mostly on luck. He prefers Monopoly because it requires luck and skill. If he’s alone, Juan likes to play action video games as long as they aren’t too violent.

What is the main idea of this paragraph?

a. Juan dislikes violence.b. Juan likes to think.c. Juan enjoys Monopoly.d. Juan enjoys playing games.

2. Maria is watching too much television. A toddler shouldn’t be spending hours staring blankly at a screen. Worse yet, some of her wild behavior has been inspired by those awful cartoons she watches. We need to spend more time reading books with her and pull the plug on the TV!

What is the main idea of this paragraph?

a. Watching a lot of television isn’t good for Maria.b. Books are good.c. All cartoons are bad.d. Some cartoons are bad for Maria.

Why do I sometimes confuse theme with central/main idea?

What is the difference between central/main idea and theme?

Remember – theme applies to everyone! Ask yourself, could this apply to me?

Central idea is the message the author wants the audience to walk away with. Example: Don’t do drugs or school is important.

Read “The Power of Non Violence”

While reading, complete the outline for the story.

a. What is main idea?b. What is central idea?c. What evidence does the author use for support?

With a partner, share your notes and discuss. Remember - you are to question why they used the evidence for their main idea. How does this help the reader understand the main idea?

In groups of 3-4, select a theme from “The People Could Fly” and the central idea from “The Power of Non-Violence”. 1.Create a visual representation of the theme and put this on your paper plate (this means your group will discuss and decide on the theme)2.Each group member will take a post it and identify evidence from the text to support the theme. Everyone will discuss theme, but individually find evidence from the text for support. 3.Each group member will place their post it on the paper plate – as a group discuss your findings.4.Share with class

In groups of 3-4, select the central idea from “The Power of Non-Violence”. 1.Create a visual representation of the central idea and put this on your paper plate (this means your group will discuss and decide on one of the central ideas)2.Each group member will take a post it and identify evidence from the text to support the central idea. Everyone will discuss the central idea, but individually find evidence from the text for support. 3.Each group member will place their post it on the paper plate – as a group discuss your findings.4.Share with class