Let’s talk about theme. That elusive message lurking behind every story—the one we know is there, but students often treat like a secret code they forgot the cipher for.
Some kids catch on quickly. Others? You’ll get responses like “The theme of Charlotte’s Web is… pigs can talk?” (Close, but no.)
Thankfully, teaching theme doesn’t have to feel like a literary scavenger hunt. With the right tools—and a few clever tricks—you can make it click. Here are five of my go-to strategies that actually work (and even better, they won’t bore your students to sleep).
📥 Don’t forget to grab the free lesson handout.
5 Classroom-Tested Ways to Tackle Teaching Theme
💡 Idea #1 – Anchor Charts: AKA Your Secret Weapon for Teaching Theme
“THE MEssage” really is the message.
Theme is abstract—but anchor charts make it visual. One of my favorite posters is the “THE MEssage” chart, which reminds students that theme is the takeaway, the golden idea, the mental souvenir from the story.
It drives home the idea that the theme is the message behind the story, movie, or even song.
Here’s how it works:
- Students pick two potential themes from a story.
- They draw arrows to illustrate how those themes are connected.
- Then, they back it up with quotes or events from the text like little literary lawyers.
🖨️ Pro Tip: Print this chart as a classroom poster, handout, or notebook insert. That way, it’s always in front of them when the “what’s the theme again?” panic strikes.
🦁 Idea #2 – Fables: Short, Sweet, and Theme-Tastic
Short, sweet, and totally message-packed.
Fables don’t waste words—and that makes them perfect for theme instruction. Strip the moral off the end (gasp!) and let your students figure out the message on their own.
Great picks:
- The Lion and the Mouse
- The Boy Who Cried Wolf
This works for group chats, solo sleuthing, or a quick formative assessment when you need to check who’s picking up what you’re laying down.
Idea #3 – Songs: Because Music Makes Everything Better
Music that teaches while it grooves.
Storytelling isn’t just for books—it’s in the lyrics of the songs your students already know and love (or at least pretend to). Many songs pack serious thematic punch.
🎤 Try these classroom favorites:
- “Hero” – Mariah Carey
- “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” – Green Day
- “The Climb” – Miley Cyrus
- “I Hope You Dance” – Lee Ann Womack
- “Cat’s in the Cradle” – Harry Chapin
Break down the lyrics, ask students what message the songwriter’s trying to deliver, and watch as literary analysis sneaks into their Spotify playlists.
🍿Idea #4 – Movies: Because Sometimes the Book Isn’t Better
Movies are goldmines for teaching theme—especially since your students probably already know half the plotlines. Use that to your advantage!
Here’s a fun twist:
- Share a list of popular movies (included in the handout!).
- Have students check off the ones they’ve seen (Google Form version makes this easy).
- Group them by movie choice and ask each group to identify a theme, backed up with specific scenes or dialogue.
Movies that work well for Teaching Theme
- The Emperor’s New Groove (redemption, friendship)
- Antz (individuality, rebellion)
- Charlotte’s Web (friendship, sacrifice)
- The Wizard of Oz (courage, self-discovery)
- Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (greed, humility)
🎬 Bonus: Students think they’re just talking about movies… but you know they’re actually analyzing literature. Sneaky, right?
📚 Idea #5 – Short Stories That Deliver Big
Brevity = clarity + engagement.
Short stories get to the point quickly—making them ideal for teaching theme without overwhelming your students.
Lesson Flow
- Pick a level-appropriate story
- Read together or in small groups
- Discuss character choices + consequences
- Reveal the theme like literary sleuth
Some great examples include:
“Thank You, Ma’am” by Langston Hughes
- Lexile Level: 780L
- Grade Level Equivalent: 5th-6th grade
- Themes: kindness, trust, and second chances
“All Summer in a Day” by Ray Bradbury
- Lexile Level: 740L
- Grade Level Equivalent: 5th-6th grade
- Themes: Jealousy, isolation, and the impact of bullying
- Summary: set on Venus, where the sun only appears for one hour every seven years, this story explores the emotional struggles of a young girl who longs for sunshine.
“The Marble Champ” by Gary Soto
- Lexile Level: 750L
- Grade Level Equivalent: 4th-6th grade
- Themes: perseverance, determination, and personal achievement
“The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant
- Lexile Level: 900L
- Grade Level Equivalent: 7th-9th grade
- Themes: vanity, pride, and sacrifice
Teaching theme doesn’t have to be like deciphering a secret code. With anchor charts, fables, favorite tunes, movies, and short stories, you can guide your students toward meaningful understanding—without losing your own theme (which is probably “patience and coffee”).
Download your free materials and let’s make theme a classroom hit!
See the product that inspired this post.
Our Story Elements Series offers engaging activities in both digital (Google Slides) and printable formats, easily convertible to PowerPoint for offline use. It includes a vocabulary list with definitions, a multiple-choice quiz, question stems by grade level, video lessons with organizers, and various activities. Check out the previews of each book in the bundle, covering Point of View, Characters and Settings, Plot Development, and Theme.
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