1. 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 Bell Ringer: Fill in your Reading Log with today’s date and your starting page. Then, start reading 1.AR time/ Quizzes 2.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!

2. Wednesday, 9 September 2015 Bell Ringer: Pick up the note sheet from the cart, and get out a PEN to take notes. Start thinking and chatting with your table: “What is theme?” 1.What is theme in literature, and how do we find it? 2.Crafting Theme Statements 3.Group Practice and Sharing

3. 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.

4. 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.)

5. The Quick Theme Trick The Quick Theme Trick 1.First, list the topics or subjects of a work of literature. (Single words or basic phrases like LOVE or GRIEF or TOUGH CHOICES. 2.Next, in a short phrase, state the life lesson or generalization about life the author is trying to teach about this topic.

6. Cinderella What are the topics or subjects in Cinderella? Remember, stick with a word or two first! Brainstorm a few! a small phraseWhat is the THEME of Cinderella? In a small phrase, tell me what life lesson or generalization the author tries to teach about that topic…

7. Cinderella Theme Statement

8. Your Turn: Find the Theme! 1.Open the “Aesop Fable Theme Statement Practice” document from my website under “class readings/ downloads.” If you would like a paper copy, raise your hand. 2.Create a theme statement for the fable assigned to your table. Look for: The main conflict Changes in the character (attitude, beliefs, behaviors) 3.Find the BEST textual evidence to back it up. Which sentence(s) from the text best support the theme you came up with?

9. Match Up! Make a new table group of people who worked with the SAME fable and discuss your THEME STATEMENTS. –Are they different? –Do they all make sense? –Does their evidence SUPPORT their theme; does yours upon closer inspection? Help and provide feedback to all members in your group. Be prepared to share topics, and a solid, evidence-based theme with the class!

10. Share Theme Statements Fable? Topics Identified in the Fable? Solid, Evidence-Based Theme Statement? 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?

11. Thursday, 10 September 2015 Bell Ringer: Write a theme statement for the fable you picked up on the cart as you came in. Highlight or underline the piece of textual evidence that BEST supports your theme. 1.Identify a Theme in “Harrison Bergeron” 2.Partner/Trio Mini-Project to define the theme of “Harrison Bergeron” AND focus on gathering strong textual evidence to support your theme

12. Create a Theme Mini-Poster Review “Harrison Bergeron”: Skim back though “Harrison Bergeron” with theme in mind. Decide what the story is about (topic) in one or two words, and write a small phrase that describes the generalization about life/lesson being taught about your chosen topic. Remember a theme is UNIVERSAL and is something that can be applied beyond the world of the text. Create the theme statement: Your theme statement should be a complete sentence: The short story “Harrison Bergeron,” by Kurt Vonnegut, is about ______, and reveals that ________________________. Once you have drafted a solid theme statement, begin creating your poster by writing your theme statement clearly in the center of your mini-poster. Find supporting evidence— Go back to the text and highlight important changes in the characters (attitude, beliefs, behaviors), any main conflicts, or dramatic changes in plot that help to support your theme statement. 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. Your poster should be 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. Final Steps: In your remaining time, fill the surrounding area using color, illustrations, and other design elements to make your poster attractive and to help highlight the key points of the story that impacted your theme statement. Your poster should be 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.

13. 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 and Reading Log with you. 1.Friday Fluency Journals 2.AR Reading time Have a great weekend 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.