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 Organiser
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
- Colour PDFThe full-colour 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 colour PDF is ready for this resource so far. The other formats are on the way.
At a glance
- Years
- 4–6
- Pages
- 2
- A4
- Type
- Worksheet
- Includes
- Filled-in model
Last updated
Page 1 of 2
From story clues to a theme
Use this organiser 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 organiser 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.
Curriculum alignment.
Each one is checked against the official document. Where the resource covers only part of a standard, the note says so.
England national curriculum, English · Years 4–7
Years 5–6Reading - comprehension
Students use four questions about what the main character wants, the problem, the change and the lesson to state a story's theme, back it with proof from the story, and check it against a list. Conventions and comparing across books are not covered.
Years 3–4Reading - comprehension
The same organiser helps students identify a story's theme. It is used with one story at a time and does not deal with conventions.
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