1. Study Island 8.3 ELA Pathway Topics
Character, Setting, Plot, Theme

2. So let’s get started! Today’s objectives
Review elements of plot & theme
Analyze characters
Identify setting
R8.B a Character (may also be called narrator, speaker, subject of a biography): R8.B a.1 Explain, interpret, compare, describe, analyze, and/or evaluate character actions, motives, dialogue, emotions/feelings, traits, and relationships among characters within fictional and literary nonfictional text.
R8.B c Plot (may also be called action): R8.B c.1 Explain, interpret, compare, describe, analyze, and/or evaluate elements of the plot (conflict, rising action, climax and/or resolution).
R7.A Make inferences and/or draw conclusions based on information from text.
R7.B d Theme: R7.B d.1 Explain, interpret, compare, describe, analyze, and/or evaluate the theme of fiction or literary nonfiction.
Today’s objectives
So let’s get started!

3. What Is Plot?
Plot is the series of related events that make up a story or drama.
Like links in a chain, each event hooks our curiosity and pulls us forward to the next event.

4. Plot Mountain Climax Rising Action Falling Action Resolution
Rising action: events that develop the story. Build suspense! Introduce problems to be solved. Climax: major event in the story—exciting turning point for characters! Falling action: Events that follow the climax and lead to the story’s ending. Things will get better or worse for the characters—a happy ending, or maybe not!
Resolution
(End)
Introduction/
Exposition
(Beginning)

5. “The Lion and the Mouse”
One day a lion was napping in the shade of tree in the forest. He was wakened from his afternoon nap by a mouse who was running up and down on him. Swat! went his huge paw upon the little creature.
“Pardon, O King!” cried the little mouse. “Forgive me this time. I shall never forget it. Who knows, buy I may be able to do you a favor one day.”
The lion took compassion upon the tiny mouse and released him.
A few days later, the lion became trapped in a hunter’s net. His roars made the whole forest tremble. The little mouse whose life was spared approached the lion in the snare and used his sharp little teeth to gnaw the strong ropes. At last, the lion was free.
“Was I not right?” asked the little mouse.
Read to the students (I know it’s a simple passage—used something very familiar to most I’m hoping)
Where is the exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution?

6. Plot Mountain Climax Rising Action Falling Action Resolution
The lion gets caught in a hunter’s trap.
Climax
The lion wakes up and catches the mouse. He takes compassion and lets the mouse go.
The mouse chews the ropes off.
Rising Action
Falling Action
Resolution
(End)
Introduction/
The lion is free.
Lion is napping and a mouse is running on him.

7. What is Theme?
The theme (or moral) is the most important idea or message we take from a story.
It may be a life lesson or explain how the author feels about life.
It is a full sentence, universal statement.
Ask students to type their responses to the question into the chat box. One good turn deserves another.
What was the theme in “The Lion and the Mouse”?

8. Making inferences about characters
Question: What word best describes the mouse’s attitude at the end of the story?
A. Timid
B. Proud
C. Humorous
Think:
What do I already know about the mouse?
What facts did I read in the passage?
What clues did the author leave about the mouse?

9. “The Lion and the Mouse”
One day a lion was napping in the shade of tree in the forest. He was wakened from his afternoon nap by a mouse who was running up and down on him. Swat! went his huge paw upon the little creature.
“Pardon, O King!” cried the little mouse. “Forgive me this time. I shall never forget it. Who knows, buy I may be able to do you a favor one day.”
The lion took compassion upon the tiny mouse and released him.
A few days later, the lion became trapped in a hunter’s net. His roars made the whole forest tremble. The little mouse whose life was spared approached the lion in the snare and used his sharp little teeth to gnaw the strong ropes. At last, the lion was free.
“Was I not right?” asked the little mouse.
Define Setting – identify settings of this story (time and possible place)

10. It’s Time to Sail to Study Island!
Log into your Study Island account
Click your All_8th Grade course
Choose your 8.3 ELA Pathway
Select a topic to work on
Character
Setting
Plot
Theme
Answer a minimum of 10 questions