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Teaching Theme

Teaching students to find the theme of a book can be both fun and frustrating. Some students understand the concept immediately. For others, it can be a real challenge.

Here are five ways to teach theme:

#1 Teaching Theme with Visuals

Use the visual THE MEssage to help students remember that the theme is the message of a book, movie, song etc.

 Download this free theme anchor chart.

Adobe Reader

With Adobe Reader 10 or newer, you can print posters by splitting the document across multiple sheets of paper called tiles. After printing, you piece the tiles together. If you have an older version of Adobe Reader, you can update to a newer version with a free download here: http://get.adobe.com/reader/

Printing Instructions

1. Choose File > Print

2. A pop-up menu will open. Select the “Poster” option under “Page Sizing & Handling.” The poster is set to print 20 by 30 inches. This will tile over 8 pieces of paper. This size fits perfectly on the standard 22 by 32 inch flip chart. If you select “Size” in place of “Poster,” your poster will fit on a standard 8 1/2 by 11 inch piece of paper.

#2 Teaching Theme with Fables

Fables are easy for students to understand. Due to their short to the point message, students catch on to the idea of theme quickly.

Here are a few good fables to use:

• The Country Mouse and the City Mouse
• The Lion and the Mouse
• The Boy who Cried Wolf

#3 Teaching Theme with Songs

Here are few great songs to try:

• “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
• “Hold On” by Wilson Phillips
• “Help” by the Beatles
• “Wheel of the World” by Carrie Underwood
• “The Dance” by Garth Brooks

#4 Use movies.

Here are few great movies to use for discussion:

• The Emperor’s New Groove
• Antz
• The Wizard of Oz
• Charlotte’s Web
• Hoot
• Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

#5 Use anchor charts.

Download this free anchor chart.

Printing Instructions

[This anchor chart is the same size as the poster above. You will use the same printing instructions.]

1. Choose File > Print
2. A pop-up menu will open. Select the “Poster” option under “Page Sizing & Handling.” The poster is set to print 20 by 30 inches. This will tile over 8 pieces of paper. This size fits perfectly on the standard 22 by 32 inch flip chart. If you select “Size” in place of “Poster,” your poster will fit on a standard 8 1/2 by 11 inch piece of paper.

Additional Resources

Anchor Charts on Book Units Teacher

Theme Unit at Teachers Pay Teachers