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How do we find theme?I can determine and summarize the theme without stating my

own opinion.

ask: “What is theme?” Respond on slates.ask: “What is theme?” Respond on slates.

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What is theme?

Theme is the message that connects all the pieces together.

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Theme connects reading to real life.

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Think of a water droplet landing in a pond.

Click on the water droplet

for a video link.

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Like the ripples a water droplet makes, finding the theme helps us connect outward, past the details and main idea.

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Think again of the possible details and main idea from this page.

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Theme connects to real life.

details

main idea

theme

trees give off oxygen

trees are good for our environment

Let’s help the environment

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to story link

to closure

Theme in Three Easy StepsStep 1:Find the “big idea” or general topic in the text.

Step 2:Find out what the characters say or do related to the topic.

Step 3:What is important to learn about the “big idea” or topic? Write a general statement or life lesson that is not specific to the text you have just read.

This is the theme!

How easy was that!!?

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2008How to Paint a Donkey

(A child recited this at our poetry club last night.)

by Naomi S. Nye

She said the head was too large,the hooves too small.

I could clean my paintbrushbut I couldn't get rid of that voice.

While they watched,I crumpled him,

let his blue bodystain my hand.

I cried when he hit the can.She smiled. I could try again.

Maybe this is what I unfold in the dark,deciding, for the rest of my life,

that donkey was just the right size.

Read the poem

Add to your chart

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back to the

poem

to closure

a painting of a donkey

an adult says, the head too large, the hooves too

small

the child crumples

the donkey

the child lies awake at

night, thinking the donkey was

just the right size

Be true to your own heart.

Theme in Three Easy StepsStep 1:Find the “big idea” or general topic in the text.

Step 2:Find out what the characters say or do related to the topic.

Step 3:What is important to learn about the “big idea” or topic? Write a general statement or life lesson that is not specific to the text you have just read.

This is the theme!

How easy was that!!?

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Now, let’s Write a Summary of the Theme

Introduce the title and theme.

A theme in the poem “How to Paint a Donkey” by Naomi S. Nye, is “Be true to yourself.” (Nye)

Use text evidence to support the theme.

In the poem the author wrote, “Maybe this is what I unfold in the dark, deciding, for the rest of my life , that donkey was just the right size.” (Nye)

The author realized that it was a mistake to listen to the person who said that the hooves and head were the wrong size. She will listen to her own ideas from now on.

Explain how that evidence supports the theme.

Restate and explain the theme

By listening to her own ideas, she will do what she believes is right in her heart, and that will show she’s being true to herself. This is a good theme because you always can depend on yourself to make good decisions.

OOPS! Don’t

add your

opinion!

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It’s Time to Put it all Together.

A theme in the poem “How to Paint a Donkey” by Naomi S. Nye, is be true to yourself. In the poem the author wrote, “Maybe this is what I unfold in the dark, deciding, for the rest of my life , that donkey was just the right size.” (Nye) The author realized that it was a mistake to listen to the person who said that the hooves and head were the wrong size. She will listen to her own ideas from now on. By listening to her own ideas, she will do what she believes is right in her heart, and that will show she’s being true to herself.

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Listen to the story

Click on the book jacket to

link to the story.

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to audio link

to written story copy

preparing for winter

the grasshopper

plays and sings all

summer and doesn’t

prepare for winter

the ant works all

summer and stores food

for the winter

the grasshopper has no food

in the winter

Prepare ahead for the times of need.

Theme in Three Easy StepsStep 1:Find the “big idea” or general topic in the text.

Step 2:Find out what the characters say or do related to the topic.

Step 3:What is important to learn about the “big idea” or topic? Write a general statement or life lesson that is not specific to the text you have just read.

This is the theme!

How easy was that!!?

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It’s Your Turn!

Your writing should:Introduce the title and theme.Use evidence from the story to support

the theme. Explain how that evidence supports the

theme.Restate and explain the theme.NOT state your opinion.

Use your graphic organizer an the text to summarize a theme of “The Ant and the Grasshopper.”

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Closure!

Answer on your paper:

What is theme?How is it different from main idea?How do we find a theme in a piece of writing?What do we include in a summary of the theme?

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ResourcesAesop. "Ant and the Grasshopper." BBC News. BBC, n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2013. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/schoolradio/subjects/english/aesops_fables/9-16/ant_and_grasshopper>.

Aesop. "Ant and the Grasshopper." 6 Aesop Fables. Primary Resources n.d. Web. 9 Aug. 2014. <http://www.primaryresources.co.uk/english/pdfs/6aesops.pdf>.

"Ant and the Grasshopper." N.p., n.d. Web. <http://www.usborne.com/images/ covers/eng/max_covers/fr_the_ant_and_the_grasshopper.jpg>.

"Clip Art: Ecology Book." Ecology Book. CartoonCliparts.com, n.d. Web. 25 Feb. 2013. <http://www.cartooncliparts.com/ picture/children-and-book-2/000049954395>.

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ResourcesNye, Naomi S. "How To Paint A Donkey." How To Paint A Donkey. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2013. <http://howtopaintadonkey.blogspot.com/2010/05/how-to-paint-donkey-by-naomi-shihab-nye_31.html>.

Perera, Lai. "Happy Girl Planting A Tree." Clipart Of. N.p., n.d. >. Web. 25 Feb. 2013. <http://www.clipartof.com/ interior_wall_decor/details/Happy-Girl-Planting-A-Tree-Poster-Art-Print-228079

"Puzzle | Project Injini." Project Injini. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Feb. 2013. <http://www.injini.net/?page_id=271>.

"Realistic Water Ripple Effect." YouTube. YouTube, 29 July 2011. Web. 23 Apr. 2013. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DdSGOCCFpE>.