2. Objective: I will determine the theme of a story and summarize the text.
©Stephanie Nelson

3. You already know how to learn lessons from watching others.
Objective: I will determine the theme of a story and summarize the text.
Prior Knowledge
You already know how to learn lessons from watching others.
Jeremy saw the sign that said, “Beware of the Sharks.” He really wanted to go fishing in that location though. He threw his fishing line in the water, and suddenly a shark lunged out towards him.
Kyle would mow lawns for the elderly every Saturday for free. He really enjoyed being in the sunshine, and he liked helping others. He wasn’t expecting it, but his school gave him the Special Service Award.
I learned that if you help others, you may really enjoy it. Others may take notice of your service as well.
I learned that ______ .
©Stephanie Nelson

4. The Fox and the Stork Theme: the central message or lesson in a story
Objective: I will determine the theme of a story and summarize the text.
Concept
Theme: the central message or lesson in a story
The Fox and the Stork
At one time the fox and the stork were on visiting terms and seemed very good friends. So, the fox invited stork to dinner, and for a joke put nothing before her but some soup in a very shallow dish. This the Fox could easily lap up, but the Stork could only put the end of her bill in it. So she left the meal as hungry as when she began. “I am sorry,” said the fox, “the soup is not to your liking.” “Pray do not apologize,” said the stork. “I hope you will return this visit, and come and dine with me soon.” So a day was appointed when the fox should visit the stork. However, when they were seated at the table, their dinner was contained in a very long-necked jar with a narrow mouth. The fox could not insert his snout. All he could manage to do was to lick the outside of the jar. “I will not apologize for the dinner,” said the stork “because one bad turn deserves another.”
Theme: If you are unkind to others, they may be unkind to you in return.
Theme is the _________ . The theme of this story is ________ .
©Stephanie Nelson

5. Always prepare for the future.
Objective: I will determine the theme of a story and summarize the text.
Concept
Key details help to determine the theme within a story.
The Ant and the Grasshopper
One summer’s day a grasshopper was hopping about, chirping and singing to his heart’s content. An ant passed by, bearing along with great toil an ear of corn he was taking to the nest. “Why not come and chat with me,” said the grasshopper, “instead of toiling and working in that way?” “I am helping to lay up food for the winter,” said the ant, “and recommend you to do the same.” “Why bother about winter?” asked the grasshopper. “We’ve got plenty of food at present.” But the ant went on its way and continued its toil. When the winter came, the grasshopper had no food and found itself dying of hunger. At the same time, the ants were distributing corn and grain from the stores they had collected in the summer.
Key Details
Lesson learned = Theme
A grasshopper was hopping, chirping, and singing.
The ant gets food for the winter, and tells the grasshopper to do the same.
The grasshopper doesn’t think he needs to prepare for winter.
The grasshopper had no food when winter came, but the ant had plenty
Always prepare for the future.
Key details help to determine ______ . The key details within this story are ____.
©Stephanie Nelson

6. Always prepare for the future.
Objective: I will determine the theme of a story and summarize the text.
Concept
Theme and key details can be used to summarize the text.
Key Details
Lesson learned = Theme
A grasshopper was hopping, chirping, and singing.
The ant gets food for the winter, and tells the grasshopper to do the same.
The grasshopper doesn’t think he needs to prepare for winter.
The grasshopper had no food when winter came, but the ant had plenty
Always prepare for the future.
The theme of the story, The Ant and the Grasshopper, is to always be prepared for the future. In the beginning of the story, a grasshopper was hopping and singing along when he noticed an ant preparing food for the winter. The ant suggest to the grasshopper that he do the same. The grasshopper, however, thinks he shouldn’t have to think about winter. He says to the ant, “We’ve got plenty of food at present.” When winter arrives, the grasshopper has no food. However, the ant has plenty of food.
Theme and key details can be used to ______ .
©Stephanie Nelson

7. Objective: I will determine the theme of a story and summarize the text.
Importance
It is important to be able to determine the theme of a story and summarize the text because …..
It may help me to better understand the characters
and their actions.
2. I may learn a lesson that can help me in my own life.
It is most important to me to be able to determine the theme of a story and summarize the text because ____ .
©Stephanie Nelson

8. Little friends can prove to be wonderful friends.
Identify key details
Determine the theme
Summarize the text
Objective: I will determine the theme of a story and summarize the text.
Skill – I Do
The Lion and The Mouse
Once, when a lion was asleep, a little mouse began running up and down upon him. This soon awakened the lion, who placed his huge paw upon him. He opened his big jaws to swallow him. “Pardon, o king,” cried the little mouse, “forgive me this time, I shall never forget it! I may be able to return the favor one of these days?” The lion was so tickled at the idea of the mouse being able to help him that he lifted up his paw and let him go. Some time after, the lion was caught in a trap. The hunters, who desired to carry him alive to the king, tied him to a tree while they went in search of a wagon to carry him on. Just then the little mouse happened to pass by, and seeing the sad plight of the lion, went up to him and soon gnawed away the ropes that bound the king of the beasts. “Was I not right?” said the little mouse.
Key Details
Lesson learned = Theme
A mouse awakens a lion who threatens to kill him.
The mouse begs for forgiveness, and claims he will not forget it.
The lion lets the mouse go, and is soon after caught in a trap.
The mouse gnaws the rope and helps set the lion free.
Little friends can prove to be wonderful friends.
The theme is ______ because the key details state ______ .
©Stephanie Nelson

9. Little friends can prove to be wonderful friends.
Identify key details
Determine the theme
Summarize the text
Objective: I will determine the theme of a story and summarize the text.
Skill – I Do
Key Details
Lesson learned = Theme
A mouse awakens a lion who threatens to kill him.
The mouse begs for forgiveness, and claims he will not forget it.
The lion lets the mouse go, and is soon after caught in a trap.
The mouse gnaws the rope and helps set the lion free.
Little friends can prove to be wonderful friends.
The theme of the story, The Lion and The Mouse, is that little friends can prove to be wonderful friends. One day a mouse awakens a lion. The lion then threatens to kill the mouse. The mouse begs for forgiveness and claims he will not forget it. So, the lion lets the mouse go, and is soon caught in a trap. At the end of the story, the mouse gnaws the rope and helps set the lion free.
The paragraph I wrote that summarizes the text says _____ .
©Stephanie Nelson

10. Skill – We Do The Jay and the Peacock
Identify key details
Determine the theme
Summarize the text
Objective: I will determine the theme of a story and summarize the text.
Skill – We Do
The Jay and the Peacock
A jay ventured into a yard where peacocks used to walk. There he found a number of feathers which had fallen from the peacocks when they were molting. He tied them to his tail and strutted down towards the peacocks. As the jay approached, the peacocks discovered the disguise. They pecked at the jay and plucked away his borrowed plumes. So when the jay went back to the other jays, who had watched his behavior from a distance, they were equally annoyed with him. They told him, “It is not only fine feathers that make fine birds.”
Key Details
Lesson learned = Theme
The theme is ______ because the key details state ______ .
©Stephanie Nelson

11. Be yourself. Focus on what’s inside, not outside.
Identify the key details
Determine the theme
Summarize the text
Objective: I will determine the theme of a story and summarize the text.
Skill – We Do
The Jay and the Peacock
A jay ventured into a yard where peacocks used to walk. There he found a number of feathers which had fallen from the peacocks when they were molting. He tied them to his tail and strutted down towards the peacocks. As the jay approached, the peacocks discovered the disguise. They pecked at the jay and plucked away his borrowed plumes. So when the jay went back to the other jays, who had watched his behavior from a distance, they were equally annoyed with him. They told him, “It is not only fine feathers that make fine birds.”
Key Details
Lesson learned = Theme
A jay walks into a yard where peacocks have been
He ties their feathers to his tail and pretends he’s one of them.
The peacocks discover his disguise.
The jays were equally annoyed that he was trying to be someone else.
Be yourself. Focus on what’s inside, not outside.
The theme is ______ because the key details state ______ .
©Stephanie Nelson

12. Be yourself. Focus on what’s inside, not outside.
Identify the key details
Determine the theme
Summarize the text
Objective: I will determine the theme of a story and summarize the text.
Skill – We Do
Key Details
Lesson learned = Theme
A jay walks into a yard where peacocks have been
He ties their feathers to his tail and pretends he’s one of them.
The peacocks discover his disguise.
The jays were equally annoyed that he was trying to be someone else.
Be yourself. Focus on what’s inside, not outside.
The theme of the story, The Jay and the Peacock, is be yourself, and focus on what’s inside, not outside. The story begins with a jay who walks into a yard where peacocks have been. He picks up the peacock’s feathers and ties them to his tail. He then goes to where the peacocks are, and he pretends he’s one of them. However, the peacocks discover his disguise. When he goes back to join the jays, they were also annoyed with him for trying to be something he’s not.
The paragraph I wrote that summarizes the text says _____ .
©Stephanie Nelson

13. Skill – You Do The Goose with the Golden Eggs
Identify key details
Determine the theme
Summarize the text
Objective: I will determine the theme of a story and summarize the text.
Skill – You Do
The Goose with the Golden Eggs
One day a countryman going to the nest of his goose found there an egg all yellow and glittering. When he picked it up, it was as heavy as lead. He was going to throw it away, because he thought a trick had been played upon him. But he took it home on second thought, and soon found to his delight that it was an egg of pure gold. Every morning the same thing occurred, and he soon became rich by selling his eggs. As he grew rich, he grew greedy. Thinking to get at once all the gold the goose could give, he killed it and opened it, only to find nothing.
Key Details
Lesson learned = Theme
The theme is ______ because the key details state ______ .
©Stephanie Nelson

14. Greed can lead to having nothing.
Identify key details
Determine the theme
Summarize the text
Objective: I will determine the theme of a story and summarize the text.
Skill – You Do
The Goose with the Golden Eggs
One day a countryman going to the nest of his goose found there an egg all yellow and glittering. When he picked it up, it was as heavy as lead. He was going to throw it away, because he thought a trick had been played upon him. But he took it home on second thought, and soon found to his delight that it was an egg of pure gold. Every morning the same thing occurred, and he soon became rich by selling his eggs. As he grew rich, he grew greedy. Thinking to get at once all the gold the goose could give, he killed it and opened it, only to find nothing.
Key Details
Lesson learned = Theme
A countryman finds that his goose has laid a glittering egg.
He takes it home and finds the egg is made of gold.
He soon becomes rich from selling the eggs.
Greediness leads him to kill the goose for all the gold, but none was found.
Greed can lead to having nothing.
The theme is ______ because the key details state ______ .
©Stephanie Nelson

15. Greed can lead to having nothing.
Identify key details
Determine the theme
Summarize the text
Objective: I will determine the theme of a story and summarize the text.
Skill – You Do
Key Details
Lesson learned = Theme
A countryman finds that his goose has laid a glittering egg.
He takes it home and finds the egg is made of gold.
He soon becomes rich from selling the eggs.
Greediness leads him to kill the goose for all the gold, but none was found.
Greed can lead to having nothing.
The theme in the story, The Goose with The Golden Eggs, is that greed can lead to having nothing. To begin, a countryman finds that one day his goose has laid a glittering egg. He takes it home, and he finds that the egg is made of gold! He soon becomes rich from selling these golden eggs. Greed leads the countryman to kill the goose. He opens the goose hoping to finding all the gold inside him, but there was none to be found.
The paragraph I wrote that summarizes the text says _____ .
©Stephanie Nelson

16. Objective: I will determine the theme of a story and summarize the text.
Closure
A crow, half dead with thirst, came upon a pitcher which had once been full of water. However, when the crow put it’s beak into the mouth of the pitcher, he found that only very little water was left. He could not reach far enough down to get at it. He tried, and he tried, but at last had to give up in despair. Then a thought came to him, and he took a pebble and dropped it into the pitcher. Then he took another pebble and dropped it into the pitcher. Then he took another pebble and dropped that into the pitcher. Then he took another pebble and dropped that into the pitcher. Then he took another pebble and dropped that into the pitcher. At last, at last, he saw the water mount up near him. After casting in a few more pebbles, he was able to quench his thirst and save his life.
Megan read the story above. She thinks that she determined the theme and summarized the text correctly below. Do you agree or disagree. If you disagree, re-write the paragraph.
First, a thirsty crow tries to drink water from a pitcher. However, his beak would not reach far enough. Next, he drops pebbles into the jar until the water becomes closer and closer to his beak. At last, the water was close enough for him to quench his thirst and save his life.
I agree/ disagree that Megan correctly stated the theme and summarized the text because ___ .
©Stephanie Nelson

17. Objective: I will determine the theme of a story and summarize the text.
Closure
Megan’s paragraph is written incorrectly because she never states the theme in her summary of the text.
*An example of what her paragraph should have looked like is below.
The of theme of the story, The Crow and The Pitcher, is little by little your work helps you reach your goal. In the beginning of this story, the crow was so thirsty he was half dead. He came upon a pitcher of water. The water was so low in the pitcher though, that his beak would not reach it. He continued to put pebbles into the pitcher until the water was close enough to him to get a drink. Finally, he was able to quench his thirst, and therefore his life was saved.
The paragraph I wrote to state the theme and summarize the text says ____ .
©Stephanie Nelson