1. Example Lessons
Theme

2. Theme

3. plot 3 4 2
plot 1

4. Theme
Theme is an underlying message or the 'big idea' of a story. This message can tell more about human nature or life in general. The same theme may occur in many narratives.

5. Theme – Examples
Human beings across cultures are very similar. They want the same things: food, shelter, love, and friends.
Greedy people often lose more than they gain. For example, they may have lots of money and no friends.
You get better at something by intentionally practicing the skill.

6. Theme Joanna Williams, 2005 Two Questions and Two Statements
Was what happened good or bad?
Why was it good or bad?
Two Statements
The main character learned that he/she should ___.
We should ______.

7. We are learning to determine the theme of a narrative.
WALT - “We are learning to....”
We are learning to determine the theme of a narrative.
WILF - “ What I’m looking for...”
I’ m looking for a theme that conveys the big idea or message of the narrative.
TIB - “This is important because...”
To understand a narrative, we have to determine the theme, the message or big idea of the story.

8. I do it.

9. Theme Joanna Williams, 2005 Two Questions and Two Statements
Was what happened good or bad?
Why was it good or bad?
Two Statements
The main character learned that he/she should ___.
We should ______.

10. Theme Joanna Williams, 2005 Two Questions and Two Statements
Was what happened good or bad? Good
Why was it good or bad?
Two Statements
The main character learned that he/she should ___.
We should ______.

11. Theme Joanna Williams, 2005 Two Questions and Two Statements
Was what happened good or bad? Good
Why was it good or bad? When Sarah got to know Laila, she learned that they had a lot in common and they worked well together.
Two Statements
The main character learned that he/she should ___.
We should ______.

12. Theme Joanna Williams, 2005 Two Questions and Two Statements
Was what happened good or bad? Good
Why was it good or bad? When Sarah got to know
Laila, she learned that they had a lot in common and they
worked well together.
Two Statements
The main character learned that she should get to know people even when they appear different. That person
may end up being a good friend.
We should ______.

13. Theme Joanna Williams, 2005 Two Questions and Two Statements
Was what happened good or bad? Good
Why was it good or bad? When Sarah got to know
Laila, she learned that they had a lot in common and they
worked well together.
Two Statements
The main character learned that she should get to know people even when they appear different. That person
may end up being a good friend.
We should get to know people even when they appear different. That person may end up being a good friend.

14. We do it.

15. Theme Two Questions and Two Statements Two Questions
Was what happened good or bad?
Why was it good or bad?
Two Statements
The main character learned that he/she should ___.
We should ______.

16. Theme Two Questions and Two Statements Two Questions
Was what happened good or bad? bad
Why was it good or bad?
Two Statements
The main character learned that he/she should ___.
We should ______.

17. Theme Joanna Williams, 2005 Two Questions and Two Statements
Was what happened good or bad? bad
Why was it good or bad? Cassie didn’t share the
cookies. As a result, the other girls didn’t want
to be her friend.
Two Statements
The main character learned that she should
We should ______.

18. Theme Joanna Williams, 2005 Two Questions and Two Statements
Was what happened good or bad? bad
Why was it good or bad? Cassie didn’t share the
cookies. As a result, the other girls didn’t want
to be her friend.
Two Statements
The main character learned that she should share with
her friends.
We should ______.

19. Theme Joanna Williams, 2005 Two Questions and Two Statements
Was what happened good or bad? bad
Why was it good or bad? Cassie didn’t share the
cookies. As a result, the other girls didn’t want
to be her friend.
Two Statements
The main character learned that she should share with
her friends.
We should share with friends.

20. We do it together.

21. Two Questions and Two Statements
Two Questions Was what happened good or bad? (From Danny’s point of view) Why was it good or bad? Two Statements The main character learned that he/she should ... We should...

22. Theme Joanna Williams, 2005 Two Questions and Two Statements
Was what happened good or bad? Good
Why was it good or bad?
Two Statements
The main character learned that he...
We should...

23. Theme Joanna Williams, 2005 Two Questions and Two Statements
Was what happened good or bad? Good
Why was it good or bad? Danny saved money so that he could buy a bike. Meanwhile, Benny spent
his money and didn’t have a bike.
Two Statements
The main character Danny learned that he should .
We should...

24. Theme Joanna Williams, 2005 Two Questions and Two Statements
Was what happened good or bad? Good
Why was it good or bad? Danny saved money so that he could buy a bike. Meanwhile, Benny spent
his money and didn’t have a bike.
Two Statements
The main character learned that he should save his money so he could buy something that was important.
We should...

25. Theme Joanna Williams, 2005 Two Questions and Two Statements
Was what happened good or bad? Good
Why was it good or bad? Danny saved money so that he could buy a bike. Meanwhile, Benny spent
his money and didn’t have a bike.
Two Statements
The main character learned that he should save his money so he could buy something that was important.
We should...

26. Theme Joanna Williams, 2005 Two Questions and Two Statements
Was what happened good or bad? Good
Why was it good or bad? Danny saved money so that he could buy a bike. Meanwhile, Benny spent
his money and didn’t have a bike.
Two Statements
The main character learned that he should save his money so he could buy something that was important.
We should save money so we can buy things
that are important.

27. You do it.

28. Two Questions and Two Statements
Two Questions Was what happened good or bad? Why was it good or bad? Two Statements The main character learned that he/she should ... We should...

29. Theme Joanna Williams, 2005 Two Questions and Two Statements
Was what happened good or bad? bad
Why was it good or bad? Lucy failed to take good
care of her crayons. As a result, her crayons
were ruined.
Two Statements
The main character learned that she should take
care of her things so they will not be ruined.
We should take care of our things so that they will
not be ruined.