What does the author want me to learn from reading this story?

In this lesson you will learn to determine the theme of a text by asking “what did the author

want me to learn?”

Let’s ReviewWe’ve just finished reading “Whitewashing the Fence”

?

A Common Mistake

Theme

Theme

Core LessonCore LessonTheme:

the author’s message or what he/she wants the reader to learn.

Life lesson

Not specific to a story A story can have one, more than

one, or none at all..

Core LessonCore Lesson

What is the theme of “Whitewashing the Fence?

Works is more fun than play?You should trick your friends through actions not words? Work is what you must do, play is what you choose?

Core LessonCore Lesson

Evidence:-When Tom has to paint the wall it is work.-When Ben and his friends want to paint the wall, then it is play.

Theme: Work is what you must do, play is what you choose.

Core LessonCore Lesson Let’s Check Our Theme:Work is what you must do, play

is what you choose.

Life lesson

Not specific to a story A story can have one, more than

one or none at all..

Theme Test:

Core LessonCore Lesson

Review the text.1

2 Ask: What does the author want me to learn?

3 Test and record your theme.

In this lesson you have learned how to determine the theme of a story by asking what did the author want me to learn from

this story?

Guided Practice

Evidence:

Theme: Actions speak louder than words.

Guided Practice Let’s Check Our Theme:Actions speak louder than

words.Theme Test:

Life lesson

Not specific to a story A story can have one, more than

one or none at all..

Guided Practice

1 Review the text.

2 Ask: What does the author want me to learn?

3 Test and record your theme.

Extension Activities

Group Extension:Working with your class or your group, go through the three steps to determine the theme or author’s lesson for a short story or novel that you have completed reading.

Extension Activities

Individual Extension:Use the three steps to determine theme or what the author of your independent reading book wanted his/her reader to learn. Record your work on a sticky note or in your reader’s notebook.

Quick QuizQuick Quiz

Quick Quiz: What is one possible theme of “Cinderella”

Write a sticky note with a possible theme and one piece of evidence from your “theme test.”