Focusing Question | Mini Lesson | Writer’s Work Time | Lesson Summary

• Objective: To find big ideas and themes in stories students read independently.

• Focusing Question: What theme statements can you create from the big ideas in your story?

• Strategy: To create a thesis or theme statement about a story by analyzing the author’s words, big ideas and messages.

Find Big Ideas and Themes in

Stories –Beginner

Focusing Question | Mini Lesson | Writer’s Work Time | Lesson Summary

• We learn about life and human nature by thinking about what we read.

• Big ideas from stories can be crafted into theme statements by using:– general terms– complete sentences.

• The theme statements we choose should be important enough to write about.

Mini Lesson

Focusing Question | Mini Lesson | Writer’s Work Time | Lesson Summary

1. Watch DD’s Think Aloud: Find Big Ideas and Themes in Stories.

2. Work with a partner to review the characters, plot, conflict and resolution of the story.

3. Discuss the big ideas in your story and list 3-4 on your handout.

4. On your own, turn 2-3 of the big ideas into theme statements.

5. Ask yourself the guiding questions to determine whether your theme statements are appropriate.

Writer’s Work Time

Focusing Question | Mini Lesson | Writer’s Work Time | Lesson Summary

• What theme statements did you come up with?

• How does the theme statement connect to:

• your life?• The author’s message?

Lesson Summary