Whole Week Overview
Overview:
This week students will identify theme, craft theme statements, and analyze how theme is communicated. Students will also craft their own stories around a shared theme.
Standards:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.3.2/4.2/5.2
Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text; summarize the text.
Resources:
- Teacher Guide
- Daily Powerpoints with Teacher Notes
- Printable Passages, Notes, Activities, Warm Ups, and Exit Tickets
- Short Standards-Focused Assessment
Day 1 - Introduction
Launch
Activate students’ prior knowledge of theme.
Core Instruction
Using the guided notes and handouts, teacher will define theme, explain how to determine the theme, and discuss common themes with the class.
Guided Practice
Annotate the provided passages as a class and begin crafting theme statements. Exit tickets and checks for understanding are built into the PowerPoint as well.
Day 2 - Whole Class Practice
Launch
Students will attempt to craft a theme statement about an image.
Core Instruction
Using the guided notes and handouts, teacher will review the concepts from yesterday and provide explicit instruction on crafting strong theme statements.
Guided Practice
As a class, students will practice analyzing quotes, determining the topic, what the author is saying about the topic, and crafting a theme statement.
Independent Practice
Students will practice determining the topic, what the author is saying about the topic, and crafting a theme statement. Exit tickets and checks for understanding are built into the PowerPoint as well.
Day 3 - Independent Practice
Launch
Students will craft a theme statement about an image.
Core Instruction
Using the guided notes and handouts, the teacher will review the concepts from yesterday and provide explicit instruction on adding supporting details and explanation to craft stronger theme statements.
Guided Practice
As a class, students will practice using key details and explanation to craft stronger theme statements from a passage.
Independent Practice
Students will independently practice using key details and explanation to craft stronger theme statements from a passage. Exit tickets and checks for understanding are built into the PowerPoint as well.
Day 4 - Group Practice
Launch
Students will craft a theme statement about an image.
Guided Practice
Students will review and complete a story outline of one of the passages they read this week.
Independent Practice
Students will independently create an original story outline based on a specified theme. Students will then write a short story that provides a clear message to the reader. Exit tickets and checks for understanding are built into the PowerPoint as well.
Day 5 - Assessment
The Assessment
Hand out the assessment for students and then go over the directions:
- Read the story carefully.
- Circle or highlight details in the text that help you understand the theme of the stories.
- Complete the theme chart.
- Write a theme statement.
Students will also be asked to apply what they’ve learned to a piece of short fiction. Students will then craft their own story with a stated theme.
