1. Focusing Question Focusing Question | Mini Lesson | Writer’s Work Time | Lesson SummaryMini Lesson Writer’s Work Time Lesson Summary Objective: To link a theme in a piece of literature to a personal experience in the form of a written reflection. Focusing Question: How do themes in literature connect to real life issues affecting you or other people? Strategy: To identify connections between literature and the world by writing a reflection using a set of prompting questions. Connect Themes to the World Intermediate and Experienced

2. Focusing Question Focusing Question | Mini Lesson | Writer’s Work Time | Lesson SummaryMini Lesson Writer’s Work Time Lesson Summary We will be writing an in-depth response to literature based on the themes we have found in our stories. “Universality” – there are common themes throughout literature and throughout the world. Your theme statements should: –Reflect a life truth (both stories) –Relate to your life (both stories) –Relate to the lives of others –Match the author’s messages in both stories. (Is there evidence?) Mini Lesson

3. Focusing Question Focusing Question | Mini Lesson | Writer’s Work Time | Lesson SummaryMini Lesson Writer’s Work Time Lesson Summary 1.Make a list of the big ideas that your two stories have in common. 2.Write a theme statement that you want to use for your essay. 3.Test your theme statement. Does it: –Reflect a life truth (both stories)? –Relate to your life (both stories)? –Relate to the lives of others? –Match the author’s message in the story. (Is there evidence?) 4.Write a reflection about the connection between the theme statement and your life and the lives of others. Writer’s Work Time

4. Focusing Question Focusing Question | Mini Lesson | Writer’s Work Time | Lesson SummaryMini Lesson Writer’s Work Time Lesson Summary What stories are students using for their essays? What are the stories about? Go to Step 1 of the Online Classroom and complete the assignment, Share Your Theme Statement. Think about the similarities among the theme statements posted online. Lesson Summary