{"id":383,"date":"2025-03-10T16:50:48","date_gmt":"2025-03-10T20:50:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/bookunitsteacher.com\/wp\/?p=383"},"modified":"2025-07-26T13:41:30","modified_gmt":"2025-07-26T17:41:30","slug":"five-ways-teach-theme","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bookunitsteacher.com\/wp\/?p=383","title":{"rendered":"Five Ways to Teach Theme in Literature"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"383\" class=\"elementor elementor-383\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-c366e73 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"c366e73\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-bcd2455\" data-id=\"bcd2455\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6906c82 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6906c82\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.11.2 - 22-02-2023 *\/\n.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#818a91;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#818a91;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c500902 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"c500902\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.11.2 - 22-02-2023 *\/\n.elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=\".svg\"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img width=\"480\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/bookunitsteacher.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Story-Elements-7.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-23587\" alt=\"Theme in Literature\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bookunitsteacher.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Story-Elements-7.jpg 480w, https:\/\/bookunitsteacher.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Story-Elements-7-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/bookunitsteacher.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Story-Elements-7-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/bookunitsteacher.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Story-Elements-7-24x24.jpg 24w, https:\/\/bookunitsteacher.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Story-Elements-7-36x36.jpg 36w, https:\/\/bookunitsteacher.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Story-Elements-7-48x48.jpg 48w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6fef718 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6fef718\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Let\u2019s talk about <\/span><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">theme<\/span><\/em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">. That elusive message lurking behind every story\u2014the one we know is there, but students often treat like a secret code they forgot the cipher for.<\/span><\/p><p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Some kids catch on quickly. Others? You\u2019ll get responses like \u201cThe theme of <\/span><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Charlotte\u2019s Web<\/span><\/em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> is\u2026 pigs can talk?\u201d (Close, but no.)<\/span><\/p><p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Thankfully, teaching theme doesn\u2019t have to feel like a literary scavenger hunt. With the right tools\u2014and a few clever tricks\u2014you <\/span><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">can<\/span><\/em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> make it click. Here are five of my go-to strategies that actually work (and even better, they won\u2019t bore your students to sleep).<\/span><\/p><p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\ud83d\udce5 <\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Don\u2019t forget to grab the free lesson handout.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-911fa07 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"911fa07\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/bookunitsteacher.com\/story-elements\/theme\/Theme.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"elementor-button-link elementor-button elementor-size-md\" role=\"button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-icon elementor-align-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"far fa-paper-plane\"><\/i>\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Get the lesson handout.<\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a9a39aa elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a9a39aa\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"post-title entry-title\" style=\"text-align: center;\">5 Classroom-Tested Ways to Tackle Teaching Theme<\/h2><h3>\ud83d\udca1 Idea #1 &#8211; Anchor Charts: AKA Your Secret Weapon for Teaching Theme<\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-3ce95e0 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"3ce95e0\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-ae486a7\" data-id=\"ae486a7\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-68856df elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"68856df\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img src=\"https:\/\/bookunitsteacher.com\/story-elements\/theme\/Teaching-Theme-3.jpg\" title=\"\" alt=\"5 Classroom-Tested Ways to Tackle Teaching Theme\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-f8e0c27\" data-id=\"f8e0c27\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d778e88 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d778e88\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">&#8220;THE MEssage&#8221; really is the message.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> Theme is abstract\u2014but anchor charts make it visual. One of my favorite posters is the \u201cTHE MEssage\u201d chart, which reminds students that theme is the takeaway, the golden idea, the mental souvenir from the story.<\/span><\/p><p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">It drives home the idea that the theme is the <\/span><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">message<\/span><\/em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> behind the story, movie, or even song.<\/span><\/p><p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Here\u2019s how it works:<\/span><\/p><ul><li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Students pick two potential themes from a story.<\/span><\/li><li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">They draw arrows to illustrate how those themes are connected.<\/span><\/li><li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Then, they back it up with quotes or events from the text like little literary law<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">yers.<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d933cdc elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d933cdc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\ud83d\udda8\ufe0f <\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Pro Tip<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">: Print this chart as a classroom poster, handout, or notebook insert. That way, it\u2019s always in front of them when the \u201cwhat\u2019s the theme again?\u201d panic strikes.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-92a54b7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"92a54b7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>\ud83e\udd81 Idea #2 &#8211; Fables: Short, Sweet, and Theme-Tastic<\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-15d59ea elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"15d59ea\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-43ba158\" data-id=\"43ba158\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e6a03d6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"e6a03d6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img src=\"https:\/\/bookunitsteacher.com\/story-elements\/theme\/Teaching-Theme-6.jpg\" title=\"\" alt=\"Teaching Theme - Five Strategies for Literature Lessons\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-8e5d345\" data-id=\"8e5d345\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6908920 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6908920\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Short, sweet, and <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">totally<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> message-packe<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">d.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> Fables don\u2019t waste words\u2014and 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.<\/span><\/p><p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Great picks:<\/span><\/p><ul><li><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Lion and the Mouse<\/span><\/em><\/li><li><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Boy Who Cried Wolf<\/span><\/em><\/li><\/ul><p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">This<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> works for group chats, solo sleuthing, or a quick formative assessment when you need to check <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">who\u2019s<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> picking up what <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">you\u2019re<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> laying down.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3dde1fb elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3dde1fb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3><img class=\"emoji\" role=\"img\" draggable=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/s.w.org\/images\/core\/emoji\/14.0.0\/svg\/1f3a4.svg\" alt=\"\ud83c\udfa4\" \/> Idea #3 &#8211; Songs: Because Music Makes Everything Better<\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-816bf5a elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"816bf5a\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-5d774bc\" data-id=\"5d774bc\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8ef2c8a elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"8ef2c8a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img src=\"https:\/\/bookunitsteacher.com\/story-elements\/theme\/Teaching-Theme-5.jpg\" title=\"\" alt=\"Five Approaches to Teaching Theme in Literature\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-41e8b52\" data-id=\"41e8b52\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a6b4ccd elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a6b4ccd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Music that teaches while it grooves.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> Storytelling isn\u2019t just for books\u2014it\u2019s in the lyrics of the songs your students already know and love (or at least pretend to). Many songs pack <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">serious<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> thematic punch.<\/span><\/p><p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\ud83c\udfa4 Try these classroom favorites:<\/span><\/p><ul><li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u201cHero\u201d \u2013 Mariah Carey<\/span><\/li><li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u201cGood Riddance (Time of Your Life)\u201d \u2013 Green Day<\/span><\/li><li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u201cThe Climb\u201d \u2013 Miley Cyrus<\/span><\/li><li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u201cI Hope You Dance\u201d \u2013 Lee Ann Womack<\/span><\/li><li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u201cCat\u2019s in the Cradle\u201d \u2013 Harry Chapin<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Break down the lyrics, ask students what message the <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">songwriter&#8217;s<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> trying to deliver, and watch as literary analysis sneaks into their Spotify playlists.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a1ee068 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a1ee068\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>\ud83c\udf7fIdea #4 &#8211; Movies: Because Sometimes the Book <em>Isn\u2019t<\/em> Better<\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-fff765f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"fff765f\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-a1b213f\" data-id=\"a1b213f\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b74d29d elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"b74d29d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img src=\"https:\/\/bookunitsteacher.com\/story-elements\/theme\/Teaching-Theme-1.jpg\" title=\"\" alt=\"Teaching Theme in Literature: Five Effective Techniques\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-669a24e\" data-id=\"669a24e\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c2e5b42 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c2e5b42\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Movies are goldmines for teaching theme\u2014especially since your students probably already know half the plotlines. Use that to your advantage!<\/span><\/p><p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Here\u2019s a fun twist:<\/span><\/p><ul><li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Share a list of popular movies (included in the handout!).<\/span><\/li><li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Have students check off the ones they\u2019ve seen (Google Form version makes this easy)<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">.<\/span><\/li><li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Group them by movie choice and ask each group to identify a theme, backed up with specific scenes or dialogue.<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-80a4024 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"80a4024\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Movies that work well for Teaching Theme<\/span><\/h3><ul><li><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Emperor\u2019s New Groove<\/span><\/em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> (redemption, friendship)<\/span><\/li><li><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Antz<\/span><\/em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> (individuality, rebellion)<\/span><\/li><li><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Charlotte\u2019s Web<\/span><\/em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> (friendship, sacrifice)<\/span><\/li><li><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Wizard of Oz<\/span><\/em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> (courage, self-discovery)<\/span><\/li><li><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory<\/span><\/em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> (greed, humility<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">)<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\ud83c\udfac Bonus: Students think they\u2019re just talking about movies\u2026 but you know they\u2019re actually analyzing literature. Sneaky, right?<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-84259d8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"84259d8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>\ud83d\udcda Idea #5 &#8211; <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Short Stories That Deliver Big<\/span><\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a8c94d5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a8c94d5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Brevity = clarity + engagement.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> Short stories get to the point quickly\u2014making them ideal for teaching theme without overwhelming your students.<\/span><\/p><p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Lesson Flow<\/span><\/p><ol><li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Pick a level-appropriate story<\/span><\/li><li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Read together or in small groups<\/span><\/li><li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Discuss character choices + conseque<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">nces<\/span><\/li><li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Reveal the theme like literary sleuth<\/span><\/li><\/ol>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b39d573 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b39d573\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Some great examples include:<\/span><\/p><p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u201cThank You, Ma\u2019am\u201d by Langston Hughes<\/span><\/strong><\/p><ul><li style=\"list-style-type: none;\"><ul><li><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Lexile Level<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">: 780L<\/span><\/li><li><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Grade Level Equivalent<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">: 5th-6th grade<\/span><\/li><li><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Themes<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">: kindness, trust, and second chances<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u201cAll Summer in a Day\u201d by Ray Bradbury<\/span><\/strong><\/p><ul><li style=\"list-style-type: none;\"><ul><li><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Lexile Level<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">: 740L<\/span><\/li><li><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Grade Level Equivalent<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">: 5th-6th grade<\/span><\/li><li><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Themes<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">: Jealousy, isolation, and the impact of bullying<\/span><\/li><li><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Summary<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">: 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.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u201cThe Marble Champ\u201d by Gary Soto<\/span><\/strong><\/p><ul><li style=\"list-style-type: none;\"><ul><li><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Lexile Level<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">: 750L<\/span><\/li><li><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Grade Level Equivalent<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">: 4th-6th grade<\/span><\/li><li><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Themes<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">: perseverance, determination, and personal achievement<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u201cThe Necklace\u201d by Guy de Maupassant<\/span><\/strong><\/p><ul><li style=\"list-style-type: none;\"><ul><li><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Lexile Level<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">: 900L<\/span><\/li><li><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Grade Level Equivalent<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">: 7th-9th grade<\/span><\/li><li><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Themes<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">: vanity, pride, and sacrifice<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2e50c46 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2e50c46\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Teaching theme doesn\u2019t 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\u2014without losing your own theme (which is probably \u201cpatience and coffee\u201d).<\/p><p>Download your free materials and let\u2019s make theme a classroom hit!<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2b96696 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"2b96696\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/bookunitsteacher.com\/story-elements\/theme\/Theme.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"elementor-button-link elementor-button elementor-size-md\" role=\"button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-icon elementor-align-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"far fa-paper-plane\"><\/i>\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Get the lesson handout.<\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2ac7be5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"2ac7be5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.11.2 - 22-02-2023 *\/\n.elementor-column .elementor-spacer-inner{height:var(--spacer-size)}.e-con{--container-widget-width:100%}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer{width:var(--container-widget-width,var(--spacer-size));--align-self:var(--container-widget-align-self,initial);--flex-shrink:0}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container,.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container>.elementor-spacer,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container>.elementor-spacer{height:100%}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container>.elementor-spacer>.elementor-spacer-inner,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container>.elementor-spacer>.elementor-spacer-inner{height:var(--container-widget-height,var(--spacer-size))}<\/style>\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-2dff0e9 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"2dff0e9\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-background-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-6702821\" data-id=\"6702821\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-49286e0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"49286e0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"col-sm-9\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">See the product that inspired this post.<\/span><\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-c7b61bd elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"c7b61bd\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-bdc73c6\" data-id=\"bdc73c6\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a3ddfbb elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"a3ddfbb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.teacherspayteachers.com\/Product\/Story-Elements-Bundled-Set-1363401?st=3b827bff0f665160855a43ed6f5eb370\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img src=\"https:\/\/bookunitsteacher.com\/story-elements\/teaching-story-elements-bundle.jpg\" title=\"\" alt=\"Story Elements Bundle\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-3cf5244\" data-id=\"3cf5244\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2c83ba4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2c83ba4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>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.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cf4d305 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"cf4d305\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.teacherspayteachers.com\/Product\/Story-Elements-Bundled-Set-1363401?st=3b827bff0f665160855a43ed6f5eb370\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"elementor-button-link elementor-button elementor-size-md\" role=\"button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-icon elementor-align-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-shopping-cart\"><\/i>\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Visit TPT to shop.<\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-cb16e40 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"cb16e40\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-54e473e\" data-id=\"54e473e\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-74e069d elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"74e069d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img width=\"644\" height=\"684\" src=\"https:\/\/bookunitsteacher.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/nametransparent.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-2320\" alt=\"Gay Miller\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bookunitsteacher.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/nametransparent.png 644w, https:\/\/bookunitsteacher.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/nametransparent-282x300.png 282w, https:\/\/bookunitsteacher.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/nametransparent-600x637.png 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 644px) 100vw, 644px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-b5f8e72\" data-id=\"b5f8e72\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Let\u2019s talk about theme. That elusive message lurking behind every story\u2014the 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\u2019ll get responses like \u201cThe theme of Charlotte\u2019s Web is\u2026 pigs can talk?\u201d (Close, but no.) Thankfully, teaching theme doesn\u2019t &hellip; <\/p>\n<p><a class=\"more-link btn\" href=\"https:\/\/bookunitsteacher.com\/wp\/?p=383\">Continue reading<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":23587,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[738],"tags":[260],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v20.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Five Ways to Teach Theme in Literature - Book Units Teacher<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Teaching theme will be fun and easy when you use the five ideas. 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