What

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Whats the BIG IDEA?

• Theres no place like home.
• Slow and steady wins the race.
• Do these messages sound familiar?

2
Theme

• The theme is the message the author is sending
  you through the events of the story.
• The message
• The meaning

3
What is the difference between topic and theme?

• A theme is a message about life that a writer
  wants you to understand.
• A topic can be summed up in a word or two
  taking risks.
• A theme, however, is a writers message about
  that topic Lifes biggest rewards come from
  taking risks.

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The Young Crab and His Mother (An Aesop Fable)
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Why in the world do you walk sideways like
that? said a mother crab to her son. You should
always walk straight forward with your toes
turned out.Show me how to walk, mother dear,
answered the little crab obediently, I want to
learn.
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So the old crab tried and tried to walk straight
forward.
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But she could walk sideways only, like her son.
And when she wanted to turn her toes out, she
tripped and fell on her nose.

• What is the theme, the meaning, the message?
• Do not tell others how to act unless you can set
  a good example.

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Thank you, Mam by Langston Huges

• Topic Second chances
• Themes
• Everyone deserves a second chance.
• An act of kindness can make a difference in a
  persons life.

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Clues to Theme

• The title may reflect a storys topic, its theme,
  or both.
• Ask
• What does each word in the title mean?
• What ideas does the title emphasize?

10
Clues to Theme

• A storys plot often revolves around a conflict
  that is important to the theme.
• Ask
• What conflicts do the characters face?
• How are the conflicts resolved?
• Did the main character succeed or fail to
  resolve the conflict?
• Did the main character learn something?

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Clues to Theme

• What characters do and learn can reflect a theme.
• Ask
• What are the main characters like?
• How do the characers respond to the conflicts?
• How do the characters change?
• What lessons do the characters learn?

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Clues to Theme

• A setting can suggest a theme because of what it
  means to the characers.
• Ask
• How does the setting influence the characters?
• How does the setting affect the conflicts?
• What might the setting represent?
• (Rainy night? Childs bedroom? Mountain
  wilderness? 1920s?)

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Lets look at a few more Aesops fables

• The Wolf and the Kid
• The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse
• The Goadherd and the Wild Goats

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Universally True Thematic Statements

• Universally - Globally
• True True of mankind, regardless of country or
  culture
• Thematic characteristic about peoples tendency
  to act, think, or behave a certain way
• Statements Declarative sentence

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So, the BIG IDEA is the THEME!!!!

• Home is where the heart is.
• Regardless of the responsibility placed on you,
  you must rise to the task.
• Kindness can change a persons life.
• People tend to judge others by their appearance.