Theme: The Search for Meaning

If your language arts learners have a hard time determining the universal theme of a written work, use a straightforward worksheet to help them find it. After reviewing a list of common themes, kids note the title, character, plot, point...

Your class reaches the end of the novel Eagle Song as young readers focus on determining the theme of this story. Similar to previous lessons in the unit, the teacher begins with a read aloud of the first few pages of chapter 8, before...

Determining a theme or central idea is greatly emphasized in the Common Core standards. Target that skill though big metaphors and central symbols in Pam Muñoz Ryan's Esperanza Rising. Help your class reach the standard through...

Give this skills-based assessment halfway through your unit on Esperanza Rising. After a brief review, class members take the test, which asks them to show that they know how to analyze the novel independently. They are asked to...

Explore chapter nine of Tuck Everlasting with this two-page worksheet. Learners analyze six quotes from the text and identify the main idea of the novel. The focus of this worksheet is to explore theme in the text and how specific...

Get ready to explore themes with a session rich in modeling that includes both worksheets and an assessment recording sheet. The class completes a pre-assessment to determine their understanding of theme and how to identify it. They read...

Now that your class has read all of Esperanza Rising, take the time to tackle big metaphors and themes. Pupils will participate in an activity called Chalk Talk, in which they circulate around the room in small groups and add comments to...

Middle schoolers work with themes in this lesson, which is based on Fox by Margaret Wild. Because the book has multiple themes, it is a great way to transition into exploring literary analysis and writing stories. A Six Trait writing...

Elementary and middle schoolers discuss the meaning of the word theme as it relates to writing. They talk about some themes of their reading book, revealing how they figured the themes out. Can they brainstorm another book they've read...

Before you begin this lesson, note that it revolves around learners reading and finishing personal novels. If that's what your class is preparing to do, this is a great way to get creative and technological with literature analysis....