Author:
Stefanie McCain
Subject:
Literature, Reading Literature
Material Type:
Lesson
Level:
Middle School, High School
Grade:
8, 9
Tags:
  • Analysis
  • ELA
  • NE ELA
  • Nebraska Department of Education
  • Theme
  • Theme Analysis
  • Theme/central Idea
  • Themes (Text)
  • ela
  • License:
    Creative Commons Attribution
    Language:
    English
    Media Formats:
    Graphics/Photos, Text/HTML

    Education Standards

    Using Details to Determine Theme

    Using Details to Determine Theme

    Overview

    Students often struggle to find theme in literature--one that is not a bumper sticker, a "moral to the story," or anything that could be applied to more than one story.  Understanding what theme is, an implicit argument the author is making, is the first step.  Then it gets more complicated as they realize that there are wrong answers (the ones that don't make sense with the story), there are undeveloped answers (ones that don't get far enough past motif but are on the right track), and there are many possible correct answers that can be explained and supported with the text. 

    This activity uses the Generate-Sort-Connect-Elaborate strategy in small groups to help students focus on the details of the story and how they contribute to the overall point of the story.  It can be used with any piece of literature you deem appropriate for your students.

    Activating Strategy

    Instruction for Activating Strategy: Understand the concept of literary themes. Students will discuss their illustrations with the class and explain how they determined what the central idea or theme was. This will help them make the connection that characters, plot, and setting all contribute to the development of theme. The teacher will then supply the students with guided notes to follow as they view the theme PowerPoint (attached). When the presentation prompts for feedback and understanding, students will work in their collaborative pairs to come to conclusions. 

    Interpreting Theme in Literary Works

    Lesson Essential Question:  How do themes emerge and develop in literary works?

    Activating Strategy:  Draw a picture or diagram of a popular folk tale, fairy tale, etc. and describe the theme of the story.

    Assessment: Students complete the review activity at the end of the presentation which requires that they determine the theme of a story that impacted them by identifying how characters changed, how conflict was resolved, and what the title suggests. They will discuss their findings in their pairs before the teacher chooses some to share with the class to check for understanding. 

     

    Read the text.

    Assign your students whatever text you want them to use to determine theme.

    Suggested Texts that work well to discuss theme:

    "Thank You Ma'am" by Langston Hughes (short story)

    "The Treasure of Lemon Brown" by Walter Dean Myers (short story)

    "The Charge of the Light Brigade" by Langston Hughes (poetry)

    "A Mother in Mannville" by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings (short story)

    "Charles" by Shirley Jackson (short story)

    "Stop the Sun" by Gary Paulsen (short story)

    "The Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allan Poe (short story)

    Read the assigned text.  As you read, remember that the author is using the story and its many details to create an argument about humanity.  Pay attention to the elements of literature the author uses; they are pieces of the argument.

    Here is a list of elements the author can use to create their point. 

    Mind-Mapping

    Students will work in groups for this activity.  Assign groups as you like, ideally in groups of 3-4.  MindMeister is an online collaborative mind-mapping tool.  Kids can create an account or sign in using their school Google credentials.

    This same activitiy would work with other online mind-mapping tools (i.e. Bubble.us), poster paper with post-it notes, or a notebook and pencil.  It could also be an whole-class activity on the whiteboard or an individual activity, depending on the needs of your students or where they are in their ability to determine theme.

    Getting Started Details:

    1. Go to MindMeister.com and sign in using Google.
    2. One person in your group should create a new mind map.
    3. Click on Share at the bottom of the screen.  Then type in email addresses for the rest of the people in your group and invite them to edit.

    The Activity:

    Your goal is to determine the theme of the story using the important details the author has given you.  Remember that a theme is NOT a bumper sticker, a "moral to the story," or something that could apply to other stories.  It is the argument the author is making about humanity--something that is a universal statement (so it applies to anyone).  To determine theme, use this mind-mapping tool to:

    • Generate a list of the author's important details
    • Sort them into categories that are helpful to consider as a group
    • Connect the details that go together or have interesting relationships
    • Elaborate on how the pieces fit together.

    You may build your mind map in any way that makes sense to your group.  If you need an idea to get started, here is one way you might begin.

    Image of sample mind map