Students will
Learning objectives
- Describe what a main character wants, the problem in the way and how the character changes.
- State a story's theme as a full sentence that could apply to other stories.
- Support a theme with an event from the story.
Theme Graphic Organizer
Students answer four clue questions about a story's main character, then use the clues to write the theme with proof from the story.
Format
- Color PDFThe full-color resource, ready to print or projectAvailable
- PrintablePrinter-friendly, uses less inkAvailable
- Fillable PDFStudents type answers right into the fileAvailable
- Google ClassroomAssign and share digitallyComing soon
Only the color PDF is ready for this resource so far. The other formats are on the way.
At a glance
- Grades
- 3–5
- Pages
- 2
- Type
- Worksheet
- Includes
- Filled-in model
Last updated
Page 1 of 2
From story clues to a theme
Use this organizer with any story students have read. They answer four clue questions in a two-by-two grid: what the main character wants, what gets in the way, how the character changes and what lesson the character learns. The clues then become one theme sentence, tested for whether it fits the whole story and leaves out the characters' names. The model page fills in every box for "Kesi's Nest," a short fable about a young weaverbird whose nests keep blowing loose until he asks an older bird for help.
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From the creator
Teaching tips
1
Students often write a topic, like "helping," in the Theme box. Show that the frame "The author wants us to learn that…" can't be finished with one word, then compare their answer with the model theme.
2
Clue 4 and the theme are easy to mix up. In the model, clue 4 is about Kesi (help made his nest strong enough for a storm), while the theme drops his name and applies to anyone. Point students to the last item in the Theme check.
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Skills covered
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Differentiation
Meet every learner.
Ways to adjust the theme organizer for different readers.
Support
Start with a fable
- Use a short fable with a clear lesson, and read the model page together first.
- Fill clue boxes 1 to 3 as a group, then let students try clue 4.
- Offer two possible themes and have students pick the one that passes the Theme check.
On level
Teach as written
- All four clue boxes, the theme sentence and proof for one story.
- Students complete the Theme check before handing in.
Extension
More proof, other stories
- Add a second piece of proof from a different part of the story.
- Find another story with the same theme and explain the link.
- Write the model fable's theme a second way without using the word help.
Standards alignment.
Each one is checked against the official documents. Where the resource covers only part of a standard, the note says so.
Common Core ELA · Grades 3–5
RL.3.2Recount stories including fables; find the lesson and how details show it
Students answer four questions about a story (what the character wants, the problem, how the character changes, the lesson), write the lesson as a theme and give proof from the story; the model uses a short fable. Students do not retell the whole story.
RL.4.2Find a theme from story details; summarize the text
Students build a theme from the clue answers and back it with proof from the story. Summarizing the text is not asked for.
RL.5.2Find a theme, including from how characters respond to challenges; summarize
The clue questions ask what problem the character faces and how the character changes, which is how this standard says theme can be found. Summarizing and poems are not covered.
TEKS English · Grade 4
4.8(A)Infer theme with text evidence
Students answer four clue questions about a story, write the theme as a full sentence and add proof from the story, with a fable as a model; the teacher supplies the main story.
4.8(B)Character changes
Students describe what the main character wants and how the character changes; relationships between different characters are not explored.
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