1. The Sneetches
Dr. Seuss

2. The Sneetches – During Viewing
As you view the following clip, make note of what you hear and see.
What makes you think?
You may record images, quotes, or notes about the “big idea.”
The Sneetches – During Viewing

3. The Sneetches – Post-Viewing
On your sheet of notes, please answer the following questions:
What feelings emerged as you watched the video? Why?
What scenes caught your attention? Why?
What determines whether you have stars in the real world?
Who has and doesn’t have stars in the real world?
What are some things that can be learned from watching The Sneetches?
The Sneetches – Post-Viewing

4. Constructing Thematic Statements
Remember that…
A thematic statement expresses an idea that the author wishes to convey. For example, “Pride can be the downfall of the greatest people,” or, “Pride, when not taken to extremes, is necessary for people to be successful.”
Your statement should reflect the author’s observations about human nature, the human condition, or human motivation. “Love and death,” for example, is not a thematic statement; instead, consider what in particular the author might be saying about love and death.
Avoid these common mistakes when constructing your thematic statement: 
A theme is NOT a moral, directive, or order (these tell us how to behave). Words like “should” or “ought,” therefore, are not appropriate. Ex. “Be nice to elderly people,” or “Love like there’s no tomorrow.”
Themes are NOT trite sayings or clichés. For example, “Actions speak louder than words,” “Love hurts,” or “Absence makes the heart grow fonder.”
Themes do NOT refer to specific names or events of a literary piece. A thematic statement drops character names and uses more general terms like “society,” “young people,” etc.
Themes avoid absolute terms such as “all,” “none,” “everything,” or “always.” Terms like “we,” “sometimes,” or “often” are more appropriate as they suggest a more realistic view of human experiences.
IN GROUPS NO LARGER THAN 3, CONSTRUCT A THEMATIC STATEMENT FOR THE SNEETCHES. BE PREPARED TO SHARE YOUR THEMATIC STATEMENT WITH THE CLASS.
Constructing Thematic Statements