Teaching Theme

The past couple weeks we have been discussing themes of stories we've been reading. 

This is one of the neatest ways I've seen to help students remember what the theme is:

THEME = THE MEssage

Isn't that neat? I found it from Angela Bunyi and it really clicks with the students. 

I also found some amazing theme headings from the fabulous Beth Newingham! 

I can't get the direct link to the posters for some reason, but if you go {here}, 

- Click on "Literacy Links" on the left hand side

- Then click on "Reading Workshop"

- Scroll down and click on Read Aloud/Theme Study

Then you should see (and download) the posters! 

Huge thank you to Beth!

We talk about how the theme is what you think the author's message is -- what they want you to take away from the story and apply to your life. Also, there may be several different themes in one story. I make sure that they know that a theme does not only have to be one word. When we discuss the theme of a story after a read aloud, our discussion includes a lot of dialogue about how the theme applies to our lives, and then we try to narrow it down to one of the 9 themes on our wall. 

Next we vote on which theme they think fits the story the best. Whichever theme gets the most votes is where our book picture goes up!

I store all the mini book covers in this little book cover box! It keeps them organized and makes them easy to find quickly! You can read a little more about how I made it here!

4th grade common core standards addressing theme:

RL.4.2 Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text; summarize the text.

RL.4.9 Compare and contrast the treatment of similar themes and topics (e.g., opposition of good and evil) and patterns of events (e.g., the quest) in stories, myths, and traditional literature from different cultures.

Happy Monday!