Tuesday, 8 September 2015 BRING YOUR AR BOOK!!!!!!!! Bell Ringer: Fill in your Reading Log with today’s date and your starting page. Then, start reading  AR time/ Quizzes Library Visits Remember, AR is an ongoing homework assignment! You should be reading 30 minutes a day, and not all of that time happens in class! If you have not been reading CONSISTENTLY for 30 minutes a day, then you will need to do extra reading to meet your AR goal in 4 weeks!

Wednesday, 9 September 2015 Bell Ringer: Pick up the Theme Statement Notes from the front counter, and think about the question: What is theme? Be as descriptive as possible and give examples from past readings, films, and television. Introduction to Theme in Literary Context Theme Statements Group practice and Sharing

Theme Definition Generalization about life, stated in your own words. Central insight into life or human nature. Questions to ask yourself for how to determine the theme: Why write the story? What GENERAL comment is the author making about life or human nature? (There isn’t one right answer to this question!) What does the protagonist learn or how does he or she grow throughout the story. 2nd column of the tracking sheet

What helps you find the theme What helps you find the theme?  The development of the central conflict  Changes experienced by the main character (attitude, beliefs, behavior, etc.)

Theme statement 3rd column after finishing theme statement with group book

The Quick Theme Trick  First, list the topics or subjects of a work of literature. (Single words or basic phrases like LOVE or DEALING WITH GRIEF or TOUGH CHOICES. Next, in a short phrase, state the life lesson or generalization about life the author is trying to teach about this topic Cinderella What is the topic of Cinderella? In ONE word, tell me what it is about…

Cinderella What are the topics or subjects in Cinderella? Remember, stick with single words or basic phrases first! What is the THEME of Cinderella? In a small phrase, tell me what life lesson or generalization the author tries to teach about that topic…

Cinderella Theme Statement 3rd column after finishing theme statement with group book

Your Turn: Find the Theme! Open the “Aesop Fable Theme Statement Practice” document from my website under “class readings/downloads.” Create a theme statement on the fable your table has been given. Look for: The main conflict Changes in the character (attitude, beliefs, behaviors) Find the BEST textual evidence to back it up. Which sentence(s) from the text best support the theme you came up with?

Match Up! Make a new table group of people who worked with the SAME fable and begin a discussion about your THEME STATEMENT. Are the different? Do they all make sense? Does their evidence SUPPORT their theme. Help and provide feedback to all members in your group. Be prepared to share topics, and a solid, evidence-based theme with the class!

Share Theme Statements Exit Ticket How well do you understand the process of identifying theme in literature? If you came in tomorrow to a new story and had to identify theme, what help would you still need to be successful?

Thursday, 10 September 2015 Bell Ringer: Write a theme statement for the fable you picked up on the front desk. Highlight or underline the piece of textual evidence that BEST supports your theme. Find the Theme in Harrison Bergeron Partner or Trio assignment Remember, in my absence, I expect the best from your today! Show up with integrity and do the right thing! I look forward to hearing an EXCELLENT report!

Create a poster with a theme statement of your assigned text. Draft a theme statement: Skim back through the text and highlight any changes in the characters (attitude, beliefs, behaviors), any main conflict ideas, or changes in plot. Decide what the story is about (topic) in one word, and write a small the describe that life lesson is being taught. Chart the theme statement: Once it is drafted, begin creating your poster. In the center you should have your theme statement. Make this big and centered. It should be a complete sentence: “The short story _________, by ________, is about ______, and reveals that ________________________.” Find supporting evidence— Go back to the text. You just highlighted ideas to help you find the theme. Now choose FOUR pieces of textual evidence (sentences from the text) that BEST SUPPORT your THEME! These should surround your Theme Statement Bubble, like a web. Illustrate the main highlights of the text to support your theme: In the surrounding area use illustrations and pictures to make your poster attractive and to help highlight the key points of the story that impacted your theme statement. Your poster should be attractive, neat, and easy to read. This will be turned in by the end of class and is collected for a grade. Use your time wisely.

Friday, 11 September 2015 Bell Ringer: Be sure you have turned in your Theme Partner Poster. This is due and will be taken for a grade. Be sure you have your AR book with you. Friday Fluency Journals AR Reading time Have a great weekend  Don’t forget that AR reading is an ongoing homework assignment! You should be reading at least 30 minutes a day, and all of that will not happen in class.