Interactive Reading Literature Notebooks
Lesson 9: Theme Activity 1
68#
© 2013 erin cobb imlovinlit.blogspot.com
Interactive Reading Literature Notebooks
Lesson 9: Theme Activity 2
69#
© 2013 erin cobb imlovinlit.blogspot.com
Interactive Reading Literature Notebooks
Lesson 9: Theme Activity 2
70#
© 2013 erin cobb imlovinlit.blogspot.com
Interactive Reading Literature Notebooks
Lesson 9: Theme Activities 1 & 2
Purpose:
Introduce students to the meaning of theme and provide them with
a few non-text examples before progressing on to finding the
theme of a story or passage.
Technology/Resources – Full House theme song video clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUlgBSz3AkY
Christian the Lion video clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDZaWgf_bk0
Instructions for Activity 1:
1.  The theme tree does not actually fold but is instead a graphic
organizer template. For activity 1, use the blank tree to discuss
and define theme. Be sure to refer to the full page photo of this
activity and the notes can also be found below.
Instructions for Activity 2:
1.  When I actually teach students how to find the theme, I like to use
non-text examples first. To begin, view one of the video clips and
have students brainstorm the subjects or topics (big ideas)
covered in the video clip. This also helps students differentiate
between simple topics/subjects and themes, which are expressed
as a statement and not a phrase or a few words.
2.  Write the topics/subjects in the designated area at the bottom
of the tree trunk.
3.  Watch the video clip again and have students jot down
somewhere what they think the theme is.
4.  Discuss the theme and write it in the branches of the tree.
5.  Use the leaves of the tree to provide textual evidence (or in this
case, just evidence) of the theme. Remind students that any
theme is legitimate if you can support it with evidence from the
text and stories usually have several themes.
6.  If viewing the Full House theme song video clip, it might be helpful
to include the lyrics for students. You can find them in the
youtube video clip description.
Notes for Theme Tree:
Theme – the central idea or truth a story reveals about life
•  it is a moral, life lesson, message, or meaning
•  it is a debatable opinion.
•  it is implied, not stated.
•  ANY theme can be considered valid IF you can support it with
text evidence!
71#
© 2013 erin cobb imlovinlit.blogspot.com
Interactive Reading Literature Notebooks
Lesson 9: Theme Activity 1
Theme
72#
© 2013 erin cobb imlovinlit.blogspot.com
Interactive Reading Literature Notebooks
Lesson 9: Theme Activity 2
Theme
Text Evidence
Theme
Theme Topics
73#
© 2013 erin cobb imlovinlit.blogspot.com