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Theme

Page history last edited by Cheryl Madden 10 years, 5 months ago

Today we will identify the theme of a story by determining important ideas in the selection.

 

 

 

 

Common Topics (Big Ideas/Motifs) for Themes:

courage equality revenge desire dreams freedom imagination suffering faith family loneliness understanding fears prejudice friendship growing up love trust determination patience cooperation

 

 

To identify the theme:

  • Identify what the story is all about (topic or big idea).
  • Think about what the characters say and do in the story relating to the topic.
  • Identify the theme, and write a general sentence stating what can be learned about life from the characters and events in the story.


 

Directions: Match given themes with stories. Be prepared to explain what you think and why you think it.

 


Let's Practice! Read the story below...

 

"I Wish" Syndrome

 

Byron was spoiled and always got his way. He even began throwing

fits when he didn’t get what he wanted. His parents were concerned

but at a loss for what to do. It all came to a head on Saturday when

Byron woke up in a grouchy mood.

“I wish I had a stack of waffles for breakfast instead of cereal,”

commanded Byron.

Poof! A stack of waffles appeared on his plate. Byron was surprised

and squealed with delight.

Later in the morning, Byron said, “I wish Jason could play today instead

of being at his soccer game.”

Poof! Jason showed up in Byron’s uniform with his soccer uniform on.

Everyone was amazed. Byron’s parents were perplexed and wondered

what to do. Why was Byron getting his way? How could he make a

wish and have it granted immediately?

Byron was starting to catch on to the magic of the words “I wish.”

Anything he wished for came to be. He began wishing for chocolate

cake, a new bike, roller blades, and even a new dog. Poof! Poof! Poof!

Every wish was granted.

Byron’s parents were panicked. Byron began eating and playing and

indulging in every single wish he could think of. It reached a point

where Byron was exhausted from all the activities and lay sick on the

couch from all the food.

“Oh, I just wish everything would go away,” said Byron. In an instant,

the living room was cleared and back normal. Byron’s parents breathed

a huge sigh of relief.


 

What lesson could someone learn from this story?

Use information from the text to support your explanation.

 

The theme of this story is that you should always be happy with what you have. Byron is a boy who always gets what he wants. Byron wishes for tons of new things like food, toys, and a new dog. All of Byron’s lavish items cause him to feel sick and exhausted. By the end of the story, he ends up feeling worse than he did before his wishes were coming true. Sometimes we take for granted what we have. Byron thought he wanted more and when he got it, he realized he already had what he needed.

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