1. Big Ideas
Review!!!!

2. Theme Stated generally= it’s universal!!!
Applies to me, you and everyone!!
“See the world through the author’s “eyes”!”
A lesson you can learn, from a text, about life
Synonyms
Central idea
Moral
Life-lesson
Implied (not stated)

3. A farmer who wanted to buy a donkey went to market, and, coming across a likely-looking beast, arranged with the owner that he should be allowed to take him home on trial to see what he was like. When he
reached home, he put him into his stable along with the other donkeys. The new donkey took a look round, and immediately went and chose a place next to the laziest and greediest animal in the stable. When the farmer saw this he put a halter on him at once, and led him off and handed him over to his owner again. The owner was a good deal surprised to seem him back so soon, and said, "Why, do you mean to say you have tested him already?" "I don't want to put him through any more tests,“ replied the other. "I saw all I need to see.”

4. Big Ideas?
-New Home
-Relationships
-owner and master
-peers
-Choices

5. What Can We Say?
Let’s analyze the Big Idea…Relationships…specifically the relationship with peers…
What can we say about the “friends” the donkey made?
What conclusion did the farmer make about the new donkey?
Let’s make a statement about the donkey and his relationship with his peers…
Now, let’s turn that statement into a universal statement…
How did you do?
Sometimes, people are judged by the company they keep.
PROVE IT!!!!

6. Big Ideas (Topics) in “Freak…”
Family
Appearance
Cleverness/Cunning
Friendship
Isolation
Deceit/Lies
Memories/The Past

7. Theme
Central idea
Moral
Life-lesson
Universal

8. Barry liked playing board games, but he hated losing
Barry liked playing board games, but he hated losing. He hated losing so much that he would do whatever it took to win, even bending or breaking the rules. He'd steal money from the bank and hide it under the couch cushions. He'd skip spaces while he was moving around the board. He'd shortchange others money that they were owed and argue with them about it. Barry's techniques were effective. He did win most of the games that he played, but the people whom he played with were his friends and family, and it didn't take too long until they caught on to Barry's tricks. They tried to tell Barry to stop cheating. They said that the game wasn't any fun when he cheated, but he didn't listen. He continued with his treacherous style of gameplay, until nobody would play with him anymore. Barry may have won a lot of games, but at what cost?

9. Big Ideas?
-Time with Friends
-Winning
-Losing
-Cheating
-Choices

10. What Can We Say? With your group analyze the Big Idea…Cheating.
What can we say about Barry and his cheating?
What conclusions did his friends make about Barry based on his cheating?
With your group…make a statement about Barry and his cheating.
Now, turn that statement into a universal statement…
How did you do?
Cheating may cause success, but in the long run will ruin relationships.
PROVE IT!!!!

11. Your Task Find examples of your Big Idea.
How do characters feel about this Big Idea? How are they affected by this Big Idea?
Specific parts of the plot (aka action) that relate to this Big Idea.
Write these on sticky notes and place them on your chart paper.
Once you’ve found at least 10 examples, write a sentence using the big idea, that summarized the commonality of your examples.
Raise your hand for me to check your statement.
Now, rewrite your specific statement as a universal one that can apply to anyone. Again, raise your hand for me to check this.
Once your theme statement has been “approved”, write it on a sheet of colored paper (pink, yellow or blue, and tape it on top of the Big Idea on your chart paper.

12. Your Task #2
With your group, but each person writing down answers, answer the provided questions that relate to your Big Idea.
Then, choose one of the debate topics.
Choose either one. You don’t have to agree!!
If you agree…tell why! ***Provide evidence from the text.
If you choose one your DON’T Agree with…tell why and what you think is the truth!!! ***Provide evidence from the text.
Be ready to present in front of the class!!!
It will get interesting, when you present, if a classmate, not in your group, disagrees and we have a full fledge debate!!!