Transcript Main Idea
Finding the Theme
Grade 8
What is the Theme?
Theme = what the writer wants the reader to
remember
most.
The theme is the underlying idea or
message
of the work.
Themes are always
universal
,
timeless cross cultures
.
and Often, one piece of writing will have
multiple
themes!
Why is Finding the Theme Important?
Themes help the reader remember
important
ideas in the reading.
Themes help the reader understand the
message
of the story.
Identifying the main idea is the
essence
comprehension.
of
Identifying the Theme
Use this three step process to identify the theme: 1.
2.
3.
Find the “big ideas” or central topics in the reading.
Find out what the characters do and say that relates to the central topics. State what the author says about life that relates to the central topics.
Step 1
Find the “big ideas” or general topics in the work.
The author’s themes always relate to the big idea.
Try to learn about the “big ideas” as you preview the reading.
• • Try finding a clue in the title, the first paragraph or in illustrations.
Consider common big ideas for middle school.
As you read, remember to think about the underlying idea or
message
of the work.
Believe in Yourself Beauty is only skin deep.
Challenge and Success Choices and Possibilities Community and Responsibility Face your fears.
Knowledge is Power Liberty and Authority Look before you leap.
Big Ideas
Pacifism Relationships Religion and Faith Revenge The American Dream The Big Trick The Meaning of Freedom The Noble Sacrifice The Power of One
Step 2
As you read, watch for evidence that relates to the general big ideas you’ve identified. They are the clues to understanding the themes.
Clues might be found in: Repeated words or ideas Symbols Important events or dialogue Changes in characters
Step 3
Create a statement of the author’s point or message about the topic. Use the following graphic organizer and this sentence frame to help you:
Theme words, verb, description
Here are some examples: The power of one has led to significant change.
The meaning of history depends on your perspective.
Revenge can leave a wide path of destruction.
Theme Graphic Organizer Big Idea Evidence to support the big idea What Is Important to Learn /Author’s Message
Theme word / Verb / Description
The Fox and the Goat
A fox fell into a deep well and could find no means of escape. A Goat, overcome with thirst, came to the same well, and seeing the Fox, asked if the water was good. Concealing his sad plight under a merry guise, the Fox indulged in a lavish praise of the water, saying it was excellent beyond measure, and encouraged him to descend. The Goat, mindful of his thirst, jumped down, but just as he drank, the Fox informed him of the difficulty they were in and suggested a plan for their escape. "If," said he, "you will place your forefeet upon the wall and bend your head, I will run up your back and escape, and will help you out afterwards.” The Goat readily agreed and the Fox leaped upon his back. Steadying himself with the Goat's horns, he safely reached the mouth of the well and made off as fast as he could. When the Goat scolded him for breaking his promise, he turned around and cried out, "You foolish old fellow! If you had as many brains in your head as you have hairs in your beard, you would never have gone down before you had inspected the way up, nor have exposed yourself to dangers from which you had no means of escape."
The Fox and the Goat
Step 1 Consider
big ideas
As you read, remember to think about the underlying idea or
message
of the work.
Consider
multiple
themes that may be present.
One message in this fable is about challenges and successes, a common theme.
The “Big Trick”, another common theme, is also found within the fable.
An additional message, “look before you leap” is found within the fable.
The Fox and the Goat
Step 2 Watch for details that relate to the general topics you’ve identified.
Consider important events and changes in characters.
In this fable, the Fox found a way to escape from the well by tricking the Goat into helping him. The gullible Goat remained trapped in the well.
The Fox and the Goat
Step 3 Create a statement of the author’s point or message about the topic. Use the following graphic organizer and this sentence frame to help you:
Theme words, verb, description
Theme Graphic Organizer Big Idea
The Big Trick A fox fell into a well and could not get out.
Evidence to support the big idea
A thirsty goat came across the well and the fox enticed him to descend into it.
The fox convinced the goat that his plan to escape would help both of them leave the well.
Having tricked the goat, the fox escaped from the well, leaving the goat behind.
What Is Important to Learn /Author’s Message
Theme word / Verb / Description The big trick is something one must always be careful to avoid .
Theme Graphic Organizer Big Idea
Look before you leap.
A fox fell into a well and could not get out.
Evidence to support the big idea
A thirsty goat came across the well and the fox enticed him to descend into it.
The fox convinced the goat that his plan to escape would help both of them leave the well.
Having tricked the goat, the fox escaped from the well, leaving the goat behind.
What Is Important to Learn /Author’s Message
Theme word / Verb / Description Looking before you leap helps keep one out of danger.
Theme Graphic Organizer Big Idea
Challenges and Successes A fox fell into a well and could not get out.
Evidence to support the big idea
A thirsty goat came across the well and the fox enticed him to descend into it.
The fox convinced the goat that his plan to escape would help both of them leave the well.
Having tricked the goat, the fox escaped from the well, leaving the goat behind.
What Is Important to Learn /Author’s Message
Theme word / Verb / Description Challenges can lead to success if you carefully weigh each consequence.
Providing Evidence
Sometimes you will be able to provide evidence that you have chosen an appropriate theme. Usually, you will need to provide of evidence from the story or poem that support a theme.
two pieces
Providing Evidence
One theme for “The Fox and the Goat” is:
Looking before you leap helps keep one out of danger.
Where is the evidence to support this theme?
In your GRAPHIC ORGANIZER!
Theme Graphic Organizer Big Idea
Look before you leap.
Look for your evidence in what the character do and say.
Evidence to support the big idea
Evidence:
A fox fell into a well and could not get out.
A thirsty goat came across the well and the fox enticed him to descend into it.
The fox convinced the goat that his plan to escape would help both of them leave the well.
Theme word / Verb / Description
Having tricked the goat, the fox escaped from the well, leaving the goat behind.
What Is Important to Learn /Author’s Message
1. The fox tricked the goat into helping him escape from the well.
2. Once the fox escaped, he left the goat behind. Had the goat assessed the situation, he would have realized the danger and not agreed to the fox’s plan.
Looking before you leap helps keep one out of danger.
Planting the Trees of Kenya – Step 1
Consider the big ideas As you read, remember to think about the underlying idea or
message
of the work.
This story has multiple messages, including
:
•
Overcoming challenges
•
The power of one person to make a difference
•
Determination
•
Care for the environment
Planting the Trees of Kenya – Step 2
Watch for details that relate to the general topics you’ve identified.
Repeated words or ideas Symbols Important events or dialogue Changes in characters
In this story, Wangari identifies an environmental problem that is affecting an entire country, creates a plan to overcome this problem, and works diligently and against many obstacles, to put her plan into action.
Planting the Trees of Kenya – Step 3
Create a statement of the author’s point or message about the topic. Use the following graphic organizer and this sentence frame to help you:
Theme word, verb, description
Theme Graphic Organizer Big Idea
“ Overcoming challenges” Remember to look for your evidence in what the characters do and say!
Evidence to support the big idea
Wamgari returned to her native Kenya only to find that deforestation had threatened the health of her village and the environment.
She began to plant trees and to show the women of the village how to plant and care for the trees, in spite of the difficult work.
She taught school children, prisoners and soldiers how to plant and care for trees.
Thirty years after she implemented her plan, 30 million trees have been planted and cared for. Both villagers and the environment are healthier.
What Is Important to Learn /Author’s Message
Theme word / Verb / Description
Overcoming challenges can allow you to reach your goals in life.
Theme Graphic Organizer Big Idea
“
The power of one
” Remember to look for your evidence in what the characters do and say!
Evidence to support the big idea
Wamgari returned to her native Kenya only to find that deforestation had threatened the health of her village and the environment.
She began to plant trees and to show the women of the village how to plant and care for the trees, in spite of the difficult work.
She taught school children, prisoners and soldiers how to plant and care for trees.
Thirty years after she implemented her plan, 30 million trees have been planted and cared for. Both villagers and the environment are healthier.
What Is Important to Learn /Author’s Message
Theme word / Verb / Description
The power of one person to make a positive difference in the world cannot be underestimated.
Theme Graphic Organizer Big Idea
“Care for the environment” Remember to look for your evidence in what the characters do and say!
Evidence to support the big idea
Wamgari returned to her native Kenya only to find that deforestation had threatened the health of her village and the environment.
She began to plant trees and to show the women of the village how to plant and care for the trees, in spite of the difficult work.
She taught school children, prisoners and soldiers how to plant and care for trees.
Thirty years after she implemented her plan, 30 million trees have been planted and cared for. Both villagers and the environment are healthier.
What Is Important to Learn /Author’s Message
Theme word / Verb / Description
Care for the environment is essential for human health.
Theme in Poetry
The theme of a poem can be found in the statement the poem (or poet) makes about its subject .
You can use the same three steps to find the theme in a poem.
“Those Winter Sundays”
Robert Hayden Sundays too my father got up early and put his clothes on in the blueblack cold, then with cracked hands that ached from labor in the weekday weather made banked fire blaze. No one ever thanked him.
Speaking indifferently to him, who had driven out the cold and polished my good shoes as well.
What did I know, what did I know of love’s austere and lonely offices?
I’d wake and hear the cold splintering, breaking.
When the rooms were warm, he’d call, and slowly I would rise and dress, fearing the chronic a angers of that house,
Step 1
Preview the title found there!
– an important clue may be Consider big ideas As you read, remember to think about the underlying idea or
message
of the work.
This poem’s message is about family relationships. The title, “Those Winter Sundays,” gave an important clue.
Step 2
Watch for details that relate to the general big ideas you’ve identified.
Clues might be found in: Repeated words or ideas Symbols / Imagery Important events or dialogue Changes in characters
In this poem, the vivid images, powerful language and reflection of the poet are clues to the poem’s message and theme.
Step 3
Create a statement of the author’s point or message about the big idea. Use the following graphic organizer and this sentence frame to help you:
Theme word(s), verb, description
Big Idea
“A father’s love” Title: “Those Winter Sundays”
Evidence to support the big idea
Images: Action: Blueblack cold Hands that ached Hear the cold splintering He worked so hard that his hands were cracked. When the rooms were warm, he’d call Action: This father rose early each day to work. On Sunday mornings he rose before his family and made sure the house was warm.
What Is Important to Learn / Author’s Message
Theme word / Verb / Description
A father’s love can be found in what he does for his family.
Big Idea
“Guilt and regret” Title: “Those Winter Sundays”
Evidence to support the big idea
Images: Actions: Blueblack cold Hands that ached Hear the cold splintering Getting up early to warm the house and polish shoes Speaking indifferently to him Final question: What did I know: what did I know of love’s austere and lonely offices?
What Is Important to Learn / Author’s Message
Theme word / Verb / Description
Guilt and regret can be caused by not recognizing what others do for us.
“The Basket”
I’ve been sitting on the bench almost the whole season.
Finally, the coach sent me in.
Some big guy practically mopped the court with me so the referee called a foul.
He threw the ball to me so I could shoot.
My big moment. My big chance.
I was a sweaty mess.
I bounced the ball until someone yelled “So shoot it already!” I gripped the ball tightly and pumped it up through the air.
The ball landed gently on the rim of the basket, and slid through the net. YES!
I felt great!!
I know, I know it was the last ten seconds of the final quarter, and we were leading 110 to 66 anyway.
But it was the most important shot of the game to me.
http://foxweb.marist.edu/users/claire.casaccio/Stargirl%20Grant/Grant%20Middle%20School%20Poems%20II.htm
Step 1
Preview the title found there!
– an important clue may be Consider big ideas As you read, remember to think about the underlying idea or
message
of the work.
Messages found within this poem include:
• • •
Facing your fears Belief in yourself Challenges and successes
The title, “The Basket,” gives an important clue.
Big Idea
“The Basket” Title: “The Basket” Background knowledge – basketball is a highly competitive game filled with challenges.
Evidence to support the big idea
Images: Important event: mopped the court with me The poet makes the shot.
I was a sweaty mess I gripped the ball tightly Changes in the character: He felt great – it was the most important shot he had ever made, even though it didn’t affect the outcome of the game.
What Is Important to Learn / Author’s Message
Theme word / Verb / Description
Facing your fears can lead to success.
Big Idea
“The Basket” Title: “The Basket” Background knowledge – basketball is a highly competitive game filled with challenges.
Evidence to support the big idea
Images: Important event: mopped the court with me The poet makes the shot.
I was a sweaty mess I gripped the ball tightly Changes in the character: He felt great – it was the most important shot he had ever made, even though it didn’t affect the outcome of the game.
What Is Important to Learn / Author’s Message
Theme word / Verb / Description
Challenges and successes can change the way you feel about yourself.
Theme Questions
Any of these titles could be another title for the story/selection/poem. Choose the title you think best fits the selection.
• (title) • • (title) (title) Provide
two
details from the story/selection/poem to support your choice.
More Theme Questions
What is the theme of the story/selection/ poem?
The story/selection/poem shows (theme). Provide
two
details from the story/selection/ poem that support this idea. What is the theme of the story/ selection/ poem? Support your answer with
one
example from the story/selection/poem.