1. Theme

2. Think about the last story you read and ask yourself these questions: 1. What was the story about? 2. Did the main character learn something? 3. Did you relate to the story? If so, how?

3. Theme The theme is the deeper meaning of the story that goes beyond the characters and events, such as a lesson about life that someone learns. Often a story’s theme is not directly stated, so readers have to figure out what the theme is. The theme of a story is the story’s message, or the moral of the story.

4. Theme To find the theme, ask yourself these questions: Does the title give any clues about the theme? Are any ideas repeated in the story? How do the characters change in the story? Do they discover or learn anything about life? What are the big moments in the story? What are the important events or turning points? How is the conflict of the story resolved? Does the solution to the conflict give an idea of the story’s theme?

5. Identifying Theme Read the story and answer the question that follows. Helen listened with one ear to her mom telling her yet again that dogs need to be trained. Helen had adopted Samson last month. He was a big lovable puppy, about five months old. He was not well-behaved, though. When Helen walked him, he pulled on the leash constantly. Samson loved people—and he liked to jump on them. Helen’s mom had paid for a puppy training class, but Helen said she had too many other things to do. One morning as Helen was walking Samson, a cat ran out in front of them. Samson took off after the cat, pulling the leash out of Helen’s hand. The cat got away, and Samson got away from Helen. She called and called, but Samson did not come. She went home and told her mom what happened. Her mom helped Helen look all around, calling Samson. Suddenly, they saw an animal control truck, and the dogcatcher had a dog. It was Samson! Helen called out, “That’s my dog! We can take him!” (continued on next slide) To Train or Not to Train

6. Identifying Theme Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow. “Sorry,” said the dogcatcher. “We’ve had complaints about this dog. I’m taking him to the pound. You’ll have to pay the fine if you want him back.” Then, he drove off. “Well, Mom,” said Helen. “I’m lucky that Samson didn’t hurt a little kid or a cat. I think Samson and I will be at that puppy class tomorrow.” (continued from previous slide)

7. Identifying Theme Can you tell the theme of To Train or Not to Train? Think about the following and answer the question on the following slide: Title: The title gives the reader a hint that the theme might be about training. Ideas: The story starts with the idea that dogs should be trained. The idea of training repeats later in the first paragraph and at the end of the story. Characters: Helen changes in the story. At first she doesn’t want to bother training Samson, but she eventually realizes that Samson needs to be trained. Biggest Moments: The two biggest moments in the story are probably when Samson runs away and when he is picked up by the dogcatcher. These two moments make Helen realize that training Samson is important. Conflict: The conflict of the story is that Helen’s mother wants her to take Samson to training, and Helen puts it off. The conflict is resolved when Helen decides to take Samson to puppy training class.

8. Identifying Theme A. Most dogs don’t want to be trained. B. It’s important to be responsible about training pets. C. Dogs can make excellent pets. D. Helen should be more careful when she walks her dog. 1. What is the theme of To Train or Not to Train?

9. Identifying Theme A. Most dogs don’t want to be trained. B. It’s important to be responsible about training pets. C. Dogs can make excellent pets. D. Helen should be more careful when she walks her dog. 1. What is the theme of To Train or Not to Train?

10. Guided Practice with Theme Read the story and answer the questions that follow. Starley wanted that bicycle. He had seen it one day in the bike store when he was there with his dad. The bike was candy apple red. Starley had thought of nothing else ever since he walked out of the bike store. His birthday was soon, and the only present he wanted was the candy apple red bicycle. Guess what happened? He got it. He rode it wherever and whenever he could. Starley loved that bike. The next month, a city in a nearby state had a huge flood that caused many people to lose their homes. Starley’s town filled up with many of these people, and they stayed at the convention center, in hotels, and in private homes. Starley’s parents decided to host a family. The family who stayed with them had a daughter Starley’s age named Rosie. Starley let Rosie use his old bike, and the two of them rode their bikes nearly all day long. Rosie never said anything, but Starley could tell that Rosie thought the candy apple red bike was really cool. (continued on next slide)

11. Guided Practice with Theme Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow. One day, Starley asked Rosie if she’d like to ride his red bike. Starley rode his old bike in exchange. Starley could tell Rosie was really excited to ride the beautiful bike. Then,Starley did something that surprised even himself. He gave the candy apple red bike to Rosie. “She’s lost everything,” he thought to himself, “and I still have so much. Maybe a special present can cheer Rosie up and help her forget everything she’s been through.” Starley was definitely right. Rosie was thrilled to have the candy apple red bike. She couldn’t stop thanking Starley. And Starley’s parents were really proud of him. “You’ve made another person really happy,” they said. “And we know it wasn’t easy for you to give up that bike you love so much.” (continued from previous slide) “No, it wasn’t,” Starley told his parents, “but sometimes making another person happy is even better than having something you want.”

12. Guided Practice with Theme A. He loses his home because of a flood. B. He loves his bike but decides to give it away. C. He wants to go to the bike shop, but then he changes his mind. 1. How does Starley change in the story? A. You never know when a natural disaster is going to hit. B. Cities should be prepared to help when families lose their homes. C. Helping someone else can feel better than getting what you want. D. Waiting for the present you want usually pays off in the end. 2. What is the theme of this passage? D. He decides he doesn’t like his new bike.

13. Guided Practice with Theme A. He loses his home because of a flood. B. He loves his bike but decides to give it away. C. He wants to go to the bike shop, but then he changes his mind. 1. How does Starley change in the story? A. You never know when a natural disaster is going to hit. B. Cities should be prepared to help when families lose their homes. C. Helping someone else can feel better than getting what you want. D. Waiting for the present you want usually pays off in the end. 2. What is the theme of this passage? D. He decides he doesn’t like his new bike.

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