Lesson 15: Theme

Checklist for Theme:

In order to identify a theme or central idea of a text, note the following:
- the subject of the text and a theme that might be stated directly in the text
- details in the text that help to reveal theme
the title and chapter headings
- details about the setting
- a narrator’s or speaker’s tone
- characters’ thoughts, actions, and dialogue
- the central conflict in a story’s plot
- the climax, or turning point, in the story
- the resolution of the conflict
- shifts in characters, setting, or plot events
- analyze the development of the theme and its relationship to the characters, setting, and plot
- a setting, such as a rugged wilderness or a boat lost at sea, can prevent characters from accomplishing something and affect them in some way
- the time and place, such as a narrative set in the past or future, can affect how a character responds to events

To determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including its relationship to
the characters, setting, and plot, use the following questions as a guide:
- What is a theme or central idea of the text? When did you become aware of that theme?
- How does the theme relate to the characters, setting, and plot?
- How does the theme develop over the course of the text?

RL.8.1, RL.8.2; SL.8.1.A, SL.8.1.C, SL.8.2

DOK 2 & 3

Text Chunking
Guiding Questions
Sentence Starters & Response Frames
Small Group Support
Graphic Organizers
Visual Glossary
Modeling
Think-a-Louds

Quiz questions, Open-Ended Response Questions, Discussion and Notes

StudySync Lesson on Theme