Teaching students how to find a book’s theme can be rewarding and challenging. While some students grasp the concept quickly, others need more practice. With the right strategies and resources, you can make teaching themes more fun for your students!
Lesson Handout
Here are five tried-and-true methods for helping your students identify themes in literature. I’ve included a handout to get you started!
Five Ways to Teach Theme in Literature
Idea #1 – Teaching Theme with Anchor Charts
Anchor charts help students better understand abstract concepts like themes. One visual I like to use is the “THE MEssage” chart, which emphasizes that the theme is the message of a book, movie, or song. This message helps students remember what they are looking for as they read.
With this anchor chart, students choose two themes from a story and then utilize arrows to show how these themes are connected. They also support their connections with quotes or examples from the text. This exercise is beneficial for helping students link themes to particular story elements.
Tip: Print the provided anchor chart as large classroom posters, individual handouts, or both to reinforce theme concepts as students work. Consider having students place the printed charts in their notebooks for a more interactive approach.
Idea #2 – Teaching Theme with Fables
Fables are fantastic for teaching themes because they have clear, concise messages. Using fables helps students quickly grasp the idea of a theme without getting bogged down in too much detail.
Try this activity: Cover up the moral at the end of a fable and have students determine the theme themselves. This activity helps students practice straightforwardly identifying the message.
Here are a few classic fables to try in your classroom:
- The Lion and the Mouse
- The Boy Who Cried Wolf
This technique works well for group discussions or as an independent activity. The handout includes printable fable worksheets and digital slides for easy classroom use.
Idea #3 – Teaching Theme with Songs
Songs that tell stories can make identifying themes relatable for students. Many popular songs contain powerful messages that align with common literary themes, making them perfect for class discussions.
Here are a few songs that work well for teaching theme:
- “Hero” by Mariah Carey
- “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” by Green Day
- “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus
- “I Hope You Dance” by Lee Ann Womack
- “Cat’s in the Cradle” by Harry Chapin
You can play the song, review the lyrics, and then have students discuss the message behind the song. This method helps students connect music with literature and is a great way to reach more reluctant readers through a medium they enjoy.
Idea #4 – Teaching Theme with Movies
Movies offer another accessible way to explore themes. Since many students are already familiar with popular films, they can dive right into discussing themes without needing as much background knowledge.
Start by having students check off movies they’ve seen from a list. In the handout, you will find a link to a Google Form to help you quickly group students. Group them according to their choices, and have each group work together to identify a theme from the movie. Encourage students to find specific scenes or quotes that support their analysis.
Here are a few movies that work well for this activity:
- The Emperor’s New Groove
- Antz
- The Wizard of Oz
- Charlotte’s Web
- Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
This activity allows students to analyze themes in a medium they enjoy and are comfortable with, making it an excellent tool for teaching literary concepts in a more relaxed environment.
Idea #5 – Teaching Theme with Short Stories
Short stories are an excellent way to teach themes because they offer condensed narratives with clear messages. Since they’re shorter, students can focus more easily on identifying the central theme without getting overwhelmed by a longer plot.
Here’s how to structure the activity:
- Choose a short story that fits the reading level of your students.
- After reading the story, ask students to discuss the plot and character actions in small groups.
- Have each group identify the theme by analyzing how the characters’ choices and the story’s conclusion relate to a universal message.
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 themes doesn’t have to be frustrating. By using various methods—visuals, fables, songs, movies, and short stories—you can help your students connect with the concept of theme in a fun and meaningful way. Don’t forget to download your free printable activities to support these lessons!
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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