RL.5.2

CCSS.ELA'LITERACY.RL.5.2 . . . . . . . ...

Determining Theme ! I can determine a theme of a story, drama,

or poem from details in the text.

The theme refers to the central idea or underlying message of a

text. It is rarely stated in the

text. Instead, the reader must consider how characters

respond to challenges or how the narrator reflects upon a

topic to infer the theme. Remember, the theme is a lesson that can typically apply to many

aspects of one’s life, not just the context of the literature.

INSTRUCTIONS

1.  Read the stories on the “Fables Theme Mat”

2.  Read the possible themes on the sorting cards.

3.  Consider how characters respond to challenges and choose the best theme.

4.  Read the poems on the “Poetry Theme Mat”

5.  Read the possible themes on the sorting cards.

6.  Consider how speaker reflects upon the topic and choose the best theme.

7.  Complete the “Determining Theme” worksheet.

Fables Theme Mat

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The Dogs and the cows

Some dogs famished with

hunger saw a number of cows

steeping in a river. Not being able

to reach them, they agreed to drink

up the river to get to the tasty

mammals. However, it happened that

they burst themselves with drinking

long before they were able to

reach the cows.

The Flies and the Honey Pot

A number of flies were

attracted to a jar of honey which

had been overturned in a kitchen.

The hungry insects placed their feet

in it and ate greedily. Their feet,

however, became so smeared with

the honey that they could not use

their wings, nor release themselves,

and were suffocated.

The Monkey and the Snake

One frigid winter day a

monkey found a Snake stiff and

frozen with cold. He had

compassion on it and picked it up

holding it closely to his body. The

Snake was quickly revived by the

warmth. He immediately resumed his

natural instincts and bit the monkey,

inflicting on him a mortal wound.

The Fir Tree and the Bramble

A fir tree said boastingly to a bramble, "You are useful for nothing at all; while I am everywhere used for roofs and houses."

The bramble answered: 'You poor creatures, if you would only call to mind the axes and saws which are about to chop you down, you would have reason to wish that you had grown up a bramble, not a fir tree."

Poetry Theme Mat

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Score!

It didn’t work the first time,

And I wanted to just quit. But my father taught me better, So I gave it another hit.

Failing two times is difficult,

And three times is even more. But worth it on my fourth try, When I finally got to score.

My Loss

My long, lost dear friend,

Why did I let you go?

You stayed with me through thick and

thin,

And nurtured me to learn and grow.

If I could take back all the things I said

For more time with you, I would.

If I would remove all the hate and dread

From within me, I would.

The Storm

The pounding rains beats against the windshield, As they press forward through the storm. The wind rattles the windows, As the hails begins to form.

He thought they could make it home tonight, But quickly realizes his mistake. Attempting to maneuver back to safety, The tree branch above him begins to break.

Keeping Up Appearances

She appears to have it all,

With fancy clothes and sparkling jewels. But beneath her lip-glossed smile,

Hides a world of hurt and pain.

Surround by a hundred guests At a lavish party in her honor, She’s never felt more alone.

Do not attempt the impossible.

Being popular can lead to bad things.

Some rewards are not worth the risk.

You cannot change someone’s nature by

helping them.

If at first you don’t succeed, try again.

Don’t take the people you love for granted.

Fable Sorting Cards Cut apart for student use.

Poetry Sorting Cards Cut apart for student use.

Money doesn’t necessarily buy happiness.

Nature is more powerful than man.

No matter what happens, you can always count on

your family.

Anything is possible with perseverance.

Helping strangers produces rewards.

Don’t trust your enemies.

CCSS.ELA'LITERACY.RL.5.2 . . .. . . . . .Name__________________. . . . . . . ...

Determining Theme INDEPENDENT PRACTICE

!  I can determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text.

READ THE DRAMA AND COMPLETE THE CHART.

THREE WISHES

Mikey: Over here, you guys! I found it! (Holds the shining lamp above his head.)

Brandon: (Peers at the lamp in astonishment) I can’t believe it’s actually real.

Annie: Well, what are you waiting for? Rub it already! (Mikey Closes his eyes and rubs his hands over the lamp.

Immediately, smoke fills the room, and there is a loud bang and a flash of bright light.)

Genie: Hello, my masters. I am Genie, your genie, and will grant you three wishes. Please, make your wishes carefully, as they re permanent and can never be undone.

Annie: OMG! This is awesome! Brandon: Yeah! No one is going to believe this. Hurry, I have a

million wishes ready. Mikey: Wait, guys. We need to calm down and proceed cautiously.

We can’t make any mistakes. Annie: Ha! Don’t be such a worrywart! We’ve been looking for

this lamp for three months, and I’m not about to waste anymore time. (Looks up at Genie.) I wish for my dad to get a better job that paid more money.

Genie: (Crosses his arms and nods his head) Your wish has been granted, Master.

Brandon: Wait! How do we know it actually worked? Annie, call your dad right now.

(Annie calls her father on her cell phone, talks briefly, and then hangs up disappointed.)

Mikey: (Concerned) What’s wrong? What is it, Annie? Did he get a new job?

Annie: (Shocked) Yeah, he got a new job. . . Brandon: That’s awesome! Now it’s my turn. Annie: NO, WAIT! My dad got a new job, but it is in Antarctica. He

has to move to Antarctica for five years and is on a plane right

now. I’m not going to see my dad for five years. (Bursts into tears crying)

Mikey: I knew it! Guys, we have to be careful. We can’t just shout out the wishes without careful consideration. Our decisions have consequences.

Brandon: Well, I’ve been thinking about my wish for years, and there’s no way it could go wrong.

Mikey: But Brandon � Brandon: I wish for a million more wishes. Genie: I am sorry, Master. That is the only wish I am not able to

grant. Brandon: Fine. I wish I could swim faster than anyone else on the

swim team. Genie: (Crosses his arms and nods his head) Your wish has been

granted, Master. (Suddenly, Brandon’s arms are replaced with fish flippers, and

his feet are replaced with webbed duck feet.) Brandon: Hey! What’s the deal? You turned me into some kind of

mutant! Genie: This is your wish. You will now be able to outswim anyone

on your swim team. Brandon: Noooooo! Quack! This isn’t fair! It’s not what I meant. Mikey: This is ridiculous. I warned you guys that we had to be

careful. I wish we had never found this lamp.

Theme Chart Complete the chart using examples of characters’ actions from the text.

Theme

Example from the Text Example from the Text