Day: September 15, 2016

Pathways to a Theme From Children’s Stories

keishan2015

In class we worked on inquiries  involving children’s stories, we then filled out a worksheet based on the books we read.

 

Pathways to a Theme #1:

Title: The Lion and the Bird             Author: Marianne Dubuc

 

When you have read your chosen story, respond to the following questions:

1. What is happening in the story? Answer in point form or full sentences. 

* The lion is working and hears a noise, he finds an injured bird

* Nurtures the bird back to health the flock of birds fly away leaving the injured bird behind

* The lion lets the bird stay for the whole winter

* When spring comes the flock of birds return and the bird joins them, the lion starts to feel lonely

* When winter returns the bird comes back and spends winter with the lion again

2. Identify and describe the conflict in the story. 

* Person vs nature, Due to the weather the flock of birds had flown away leaving the bird behind with the lion.

3. Brainstorm words or phrases that connect to the class discussion on the human condition.

* Friendship, kindness, loneliness

4. What are 2-3 the theme or big idea of the story? Create a theme statement. You can create a theme statement by using the formula topic+treatment (+/-) = result. Eg. In Macbeth, one could say that “ambition + too much = destruction”. Therefore the theme statement would be “Too much ambition can lead to destruction” A theme statement has no absolutes, no cliches and no conversational language. Eg. “I think its to never judge a book by its cover” is NOT a good theme statement.  

Topic: karma + treatment(+/-): good = result: friendship

Theme Statement: good karma results in friendship

Topic: solitude  + treatment(+/-): plenty  = result: loneliness

Theme Statement: Plenty of solitude results in loneliness

Topic: kindness + treatment(+/-): constant  = result: happiness

Theme Statement: constant kindness leads to happiness

Change the theme statements into a deep questions.  Eg. What can be the result of too much ambition? OR Can too much ambition lead to destruction? 

  • Can true happiness be achieved through kindness.
  • Can good karma really result in kindness
  • Does solitude always result in loneliness

 

Pathways to a Theme  #2:

Title: Four Feet Two Sandals                   Author: Karen Lynn Williams & Khadra Mohammed

 

When you have read your chosen story, respond to the following questions:

  • What is happening in the story? Answer in point form or full sentences.
  • Relief workers bring clothing to the refugee camp
  • Everyone scrambles to get what they can, ten year old Lina finds a single scandal that fits her foot, she then meets a girl with the other shoe
  • They agree to share the shoes
  • Lina’s name is on. A list of people who get to go live in America, her friends name isn’t on the list
  • Lina gives her friend the shoes before she leaves for America

Identify and describe the conflict in the story.  

  • No conflict

Brainstorm words or phrases that connect to the class discussion on the human condition.  

  • Friendship, happiness, sharing, sadness, caring, strength, courage, hope, refugees, loss

What are 2-3 the theme or big idea of the story? Create a theme statement. You can create a theme statement by using the formula topic+treatment (+/-) = result. Eg. In Macbeth, one could say that “ambition + too much = destruction”. Therefore the theme statement would be “Too much ambition can lead to destruction” A theme statement has no absolutes, no cliches and no conversational language. Eg. “I think its to never judge a book by its cover” is NOT a good theme statement.  

Topic: searching + treatment(+/-): carefully = result: a new perspective

Theme Statement: Searching carefully can result in a new perspective

Topic: friendship+ treatment(+/-):solid  = result: strength

Theme Statement: A solid friendship creates strength

Topic:sharing  + treatment(+/-):kindness  = result: friendship

Theme Statement:  sharing and kindness leads to friendship

Change the theme statements into a deep questions.  Eg. What can be the result of too much ambition? OR Can too much ambition lead to destruction? 

  • Does sharing and kindness always lead to friendship 
  • Could searching carefully always result in a newfound friendship?
  • Can a solid friendship give a person strength?