1. Goal: We will recognize theme and main idea in readings ( Uses strategies to read and comprehend new vocabulary in text-Big Five). We will create our own short story and incorporate theme into the text.

2.  Big Five Strategy: We use the Big Five to understand the theme and main idea of a reading.  (Back of Card) ◦ Underline the Five most important things in the reading ◦ Pick the three most important from the list and number them (1, 2, and 3) ◦ Star the most important number (this should be the theme or main idea!)

3.  Theme: Even though things can go wrong, we can still be happy with what we have.  Support: ◦ Bad traffic on the way to the airport ◦ Got stuck in the airport ◦ Had to book another flight ◦ Lost their luggage  Kristina’s family remained positive even though many things went wrong.

4.  The theme of the story Happenings at the Airport is to always look at the positive things in life when things are going bad. When the family was trying to get to the airport they ran into problems. In the story it said, “the cab slowly made its way to the airport through the traffic.” This shows the family had many problems but still remained happy despite their misfortune.

5.  Purpose: To use the Big Five Strategy to Unlock the theme of the story.  Note: Be sure to actively read as Mr. Houlton reads aloud-I should see you using the Big Five in your group as I read to find the theme.  What did you Star? What was the theme?  Write The Theme Here:_______________________________________ ____________________________________________

6.  Task (time: 45 minutes) ◦ Create your own unique short story that has all the story parts  Setting  Character Development  Problem  Solution  Theme ◦ Your Theme must be easily recognizable to the audience (they should be able to use Big Five to decipher your theme) ◦ At least five illustrations are included in your story

7.  Students will present their stories to the class while we use the Big Five strategy to unlock the theme.