September 24, 2014 - theme

Homework: Story elements test on Monday, September 29th!

Bring a copy of Stargirl by this Friday!

ObjectiveI can differentiate between topic and theme in a piece of literature.

Warm Up:Look up the definitions of the word theme in the red glossary section of your Lit book. Copy the definition into your notes.

themeA message about life or human nature that the writer shares with the reader. usually has to be inferredthe important truth that the story is really aboutwritten in a complete sentence, not just a word

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What's the difference?

topic theme

Model: Theme in a story

Read the excerpt from The Dog and His Reflection and answer the Close Read questions.

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Model: Theme in a story

1. Explain how the dog loses the steak he stole from the butcher.

2. What lesson can readers learn from the dog's failed plan to get another steak when he already had one? State the theme of this fable in a sentence.

Model: Theme in a poemRead the excerpt from The Stray Cat and answer the Close Read questions.

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Model: Theme in a poem1. Notice the way the cat is described. Would most people

consider this cat beautiful? Explain.

2. Reread the boxed lines. Choose the statement that best expresses this poem's theme. A. Beauty is something that everyone can agree on. B. Different people have different ideas about what is beautiful.

Clues to theme

Turn in your Literature book to pg. 321

You will read Gombei and the Wild Ducks independently and then answer questions 1-6 in your notes.

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1. Which character does the title suggest is important to the story? As you read, look for details that show what this character is like and how he changes.

2. Reread the boxed text. What impression do you have of Gombei? Explain whether you see any problems with this plan.

3. What happens to Gombei as a result of his actions?

4. In lines 69-70, Gombei returns to a familiar setting - a marsh - but there is nothing familiar about the situation he's in. What conflict do you think he's about to have?

5. Examine the boxed text. What does Gombei realize about himself and his plan? Explain what has caused the change of attitude.

6. Think about the lesson that Gombei has learned. Choose a topic from the list below and write a statement that expresses a theme or central idea of the story. Explain whether the theme is directly stated or implied. freedomtreatment of othersunderstanding others' problems

So now you will work in pairs to come up with 2 sentences relating to a topic that is often seen in literature. With your partner, come up with 2 good sentences that could be a possible theme relating to this topic.

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equality

friendship

jealousy

anger

cooperation

bravery

self control

kindness

hope

hard work

differences

loyalty

lonliness

being yourself