Identifying and Understanding the Theme of a Text #1

The main ideais what the text is mainly about. It gives details from the text directly stated by the author. Themeis a message about the story that applies to life. It is universal and is not directly stated by the author. Think about the theme of this song. Sorry--it will be stuck in your head❄❄❄ Watch the video until the 1:30 mark and then answer the questions. What challenge is the singer facing? The singer is nervous about being stuck in a dangerous snowstorm. The singer feels controlled by others and their opinions. The singer is facing a big decision and is not sure what choice to make. The singer does not want to be seen as weak by crying in front of others. Main Idea Watch the video and then answer the questions. To find the Main Idea, you should ask yourself which question? Why did the author write this? Who or what is it about? What is a small detail? Another way to find the main idea of a story or passage would be to: Google it or ask Suri Look at the first sentence or last sentence. Zoom out and look at the big picture and key details Theme vs. Main Idea Watch the video clip and then match the definition with the example. theme Family is important and will always be there for eachother. main idea A young lion must fight to save his family. theme Good will always win over evil. main idea Simba must face his evil uncle Scar. Moving, Again?!“But Mom, this is the third school I have been to this year!” Tyler was used to moving, but making new friends was always so hard for him. His family moved a lot because of his dad’s job. Tyler was starting at a new school in Redmond, Washington. He didn’t know anyone. On his first day he had to eat lunch all by himself. He wanted to go play soccer but he was too scared and nervous to ask. One student in his class noticed his shoes. “Are those the new Nike indoor soccer shoes?” the student named Sam asked. “Yeah, actually they are,” said Tyler. They started talking about their love of soccer and absolutely hit it off! The two made plans to play soccer that weekend and have been side-by-side from that day on.1. What is the theme of this passage? Always look on the bright side of life. A friend in need is a friend indeed. Things always work out even if they seem hard at first. Change is scary. The Book ReportYesterday Jadyn came home from school with a book report. Her mom suggested for her to get started on it because they had a gymnastics meet that weekend and practice all week. Jadyn told her not to worry - she would get it done. Jadyn kept putting off the report to watch T.V., play outside, go on the computer, and play on her iPad. Jadyn’s mom reminded her each and every night to complete the book report and each night Jadyn told her not to worry. On Sunday night, the day before the book report was due, Jadyn realized it was due the very next day and none of it was finished! Her family was downstairs baking cookies and watching a movie together, but Jadyn had to work on the report. She was so upset with herself that she didn’t plan ahead better. Now she was missing out on all the family fun.2. What is the theme of this passage? It's always important to use your time wisely, or you may regret it later. You should take school seriously and save fun for later. Why worry about everything? Things will get done, even at the last minute. Being youAva was a sweet girl who was new to her school. All she wanted was to fit in with others. She noticed that a lot of kids, who she thought were cool, wore a certain type of shoes. So Ava begged her mother to buy those shoes for her. Then, she noticed all of the girls wore their hair in a certain way. So Ava started wearing her hair that way too. Finally, she decided she would start talking like them as well. She used the same words they used and laughed at the same things they laughed at, even if she didn’t think it was funny. A soft-spoken girl, named Kim, came up to Ava at lunch one day. Kim said, “Ava, do you want to come have lunch with me today?” Ava accepted. She realized, as she laughed and giggled during her time with Kim, she didn’t need all of that junk to be considered cool. All she needed was to be herself with good people and they will accept you for who you are!3. What is the theme of this passage? Don't be a copy cat. Never giggle and laugh when you don't find it funny. Always wear cool clothes. Always be true to yourself.