Day 1

 Theme is the general idea or main point of a story.  Theme provides a message about life, from the author’s point of view.  Many stories have at least one theme. Some have more than one; a few don’t have any at all.  Most stories can’t be reduced to a single moral, so this can make determining the theme a little tricky.  Theme is more subjective (varies from person to person).

 …the subject of a story or the topic of a story.  For example, an author could write about a brave young girl during the Revolutionary War era. The young girl is the subject of the story. The theme of this story, however, could be the importance of standing up for one’s rights.  Try It  LIFE LESSONS WORKSHEET: For each excerpt, choose the most appropriate theme. Write the letter on the line.

 As yourself these questions to determine the theme in a story:  What is causing the conflict in the story?  How does the main character change and what causes this change?  What happens at the end of the story and what causes that to happen?

 Friendship  Survival  Family  Love/Hate  Life/Death  Freedom  Power/Weakness  Poverty/Wealth  Prejudice  Laws/Justice  Honesty  Belonging

 …themes cannot be expressed in a single word. Themes must contain a point of view (or personal opinion).  Example: Understanding the power of nature can ruin your chances of survival.  Try It:  Choose one of these subjects and write a complete sentence that would express a point of view (or personal opinion) about the subject.

 Friendship  Survival  Family  Love/Hate  Life/Death  Freedom  Power/Weakness  Poverty/Wealth  Prejudice  Laws/Justice  Honesty  Belonging Example: Understanding the power of nature can ruin your chances of survival.

Day 2

One day the speedy hare was bragging among his fellow animals. “I have never been beaten in a race,” he said. “When I use my amazing speed, the race is over almost instantly. Would any of you like to take me on?” “I’ll challenge you,” said the tortoise. You against me?” said the hare, laughing. He turned to the other animals. “Hurry. Set us up a course. This will be quick work for me. I’ll teach this plodder a lesson in speed.” The animals set up a course, and the race began. The fast hare sped so far ahead that he looked back and couldn’t even see the tortoise. To show his contempt, he decided to lie down and rest, and he soon fell asleep. Meanwhile, the tortoise kept going at a slow, steady pace. He finally crawled past the sleeping hare, and took the lead. In fact, the tortoise was just inches short of the finish line when the hare woke up and saw what had happened. The stunned hare sped to the finish line, but he couldn’t catch up, and the tortoise won. “Slow and steady wins the race,” said the smiling tortoise. In one sentence, can you identify the theme?

A Hare, having ridiculed the slow movements of a Tortoise, was challenged by the latter to run a race, a Fox to go to the goal and be the judge. They got off well together, the Hare at the top of her speed, the Tortoise, who had no other intention than making his antagonist exert herself, going very leisurely. After sauntering along for some time he discovered the Hare by the wayside, apparently asleep, and seeing a chance to win pushed on as fast as he could, arriving at the goal hours afterward, suffering from extreme fatigue and claiming the victory. “Not so,” said the Fox; “the Hare was here long ago, and went back to cheer you on your way.” In one sentence, can you identify the theme?

1. With your group, decide if you want your theme to be friendship or power. 2. Create a plot outline for specific theme given to you. 3. Practice acting it out for the class. 4. Your classmates will watch you perform your skit and then choose the correct theme.

 Theme: Power can be used to help others.  Characters: Mayor, people of the city  Setting(s): Urban, Big City  Plot Outline:  Exposition: A city has a newly elected mayor.  Conflict: A natural disaster strikes one part of the city and leaves many people homeless.  Resolution: The mayor creates a program to feed the people and rebuild their homes.  Theme: Friendship is important.  Characters: Two middle school girls  Setting(s): Home, wilderness  Plot Outline:  Exposition: Two girls are fairly good friends.  Conflict: They get lost together on a field trip and have to rely on each other in order to survive.  Resolution: They become stronger friends afterwards.

 Friendship is important.  Friendship can happen despite differences.  Friendship is less important than romance.  True friendship is worth fighting for.  Power can conquer the strongest enemy.  The moral power of one individual can create worldwide changes.  Power can be used to help others.  Power, in the wrong hands, can lead to disaster.

Day 3

One hot summer's day a hungry Fox saw some clusters of ripe grapes hanging from a vine. But the vine on which the grapes hung was too high for him to reach. Drawing back a few steps, he took a running leap at it, but he missed the bunch. Again and again he tried, but in vain. At last, he had to give it up, and walked away with his nose in the air, saying, "They must be sour."

1. Write both your names on the paper. 2. Write the fable title where it says “Book Title.” 3. One partner should read the fable out loud. 4. Together, identify all the characters, the setting, and the problem. 5. In one or two sentences, summarize what was going on in the story. 6. Identify the lesson learned by the character. 7. Identify the theme from the story (make sure you include a message about life and a personal opinion). This is your exit ticket.