by Leda De Zwaan On family karma, energetic ties and your family being your biggest trigger and your biggest teacher. Carrier of Family Karma My whole life I have been…
Next week we will be starting a one-week theme of argumentative speech. On the first lesson you will get to settle on a topic, do some research, write down some ideas and then you should prepare to give a speech on the following lesson. The speech will be recorded on your computer in a private setting and sent to me for assessment - if everything works out well we will also listen to a few speeches together and give feedback on them. Here's a little intro for next week: You can find the plan here + a video illustrating ethos, pathos and logos here:
I created this diagram to assist my future posts on Buddhist themes. Below are links and texts to help explain the outline. It is my hope that this diagram aids the reader in visually organizing …
Learn everything you need to know to be successful in hatching chicks in your classroom. A FREE guide is included to help you.
Words and Pictures by Grant Snider
Numerology is the study of the symbolism of numbers. It can be used to determine your personality, strengths and talents; help you overcome obstacles; and help you better deal with emotional needs. Numerology can help you better understand why you do the things you do and why you react to the things you react to. Numerology can be traced back nearly 10,000 years, dating all the way back to Babylonia and ancient Egypt. Numerology and Vibrations • Everything in the universe vibrates, and numerology uses this principle by establishing the energy present at one’s birth. • Using the name and
Teaching theme is not an easy task! Not only do students need to have a strong comprehension of the story's elements (like plot, setting, and characters), but they also have to be able to make inferences to find the author's message, since most themes are not overtly stated by the author. So, what are some of my favorite activities for helping kids understand theme? I'll list a number of them here. 1. Make an Anchor Chart Anchor charts are a great way to make learning visual and to have a record that kids can refer to when they need a bit of extra support. Theme may be defined in a number of ways. To me, the theme is the author's message or what he/she wants the reader to take away/learn from the story. It is a BIG idea, with a real-world or universal concern and can be applied to anyone. Besides talking about what a theme is, you'll also want to go over what it isn't. For example, some kids confuse the main idea of the story with its theme. To help students understand the difference, it's helpful to use stories that everyone in the class knows, like previous read alouds or classic stories like The Three Little Pigs. You can take each story and discuss the main idea (what the story was mostly about - specific to the story) vs. the theme (the lesson the author wants the reader to know - not specific to the story), to contrast the two ideas. The second area of confusion for some kids is that the theme is not specific to the characters in the story. In the book Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes, for example. The theme would not be that...A little mouse named Chrysanthemum learned to accept the uniqueness of her name. The theme would be larger than the book and would be something like...It's important to accept oneself. Also, you'll want to explain to your students that often times, a book has multiple themes and there are several answers which work equally well to describe a book's theme. Since theme is very subjective, I tell students that I will accept any answer, as long as they have the text evidence to prove it. For example, in the book, Wonder, by R.J. Palacio, one might argue that the theme is about friendship, another might say family, or even courage, or kindness. Any one of these themes would be right, and counted as such, since they each fit the story and could be supported by text evidence. 2. Use Pixar Shorts to Practice Theme Besides the sheer enjoyment which comes from watching these mini-films, your students can learn a lot about reading concepts from these. They're great for ELL students or for struggling readers, and for all readers really since the text complexity piece is removed. You can find these clips on YouTube, but you'll want to make sure to preview them first, so you're more familiar with the plot and are able to focus on theme questions. Here are some of my favorite Pixar Shorts for teaching theme: Piper Partly Cloudy Lava Boundin' 3. Use Mentor Texts Mentor texts are one of my go-to teaching tools as picture books are able to portray examples of just about any reading concept you need to teach. One thing I like to do when using mentor texts for theme, is to vary the types of questions I ask. Rather than always saying What is the theme?, I might ask... What is the deeper meaning of this story? After reading this book, what do you think matters to this author? Which idea from the story do you think might stay with you? What did the author want people to learn from this story?... Once kids answer, you might say, Ah...so that's the theme! Some of my current mentor text favorites for theme include the following: Ish by Peter H. Reynolds I Wish I Were a Butterfly by James Howe Journey by Aaron Becker (a wordless book) Beautiful Oops by Barry Saltzberg The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires Spoon by Amy Krouse Rosenthal Pete and Pickles by Berkeley Breathed If you're looking for more titles, I have a FREE Mentor Text List for Literature which includes a page on theme which you can download from my TpT store. 4. Use Posters with Themes to Chart Book Themes I like to choose 8 - 10 common themes and place posters of them in the classroom. These are included in my Theme unit but you could easily make them yourself if you'd like. After we finish a class novel, a read aloud, or a mentor text as part of a mini-lesson, I like to have the kids discuss the theme of the book. Once we decide on the theme, I place a miniaturized copy of the book's cover (about 3 x 3 inches or so) under the correct theme poster. You can also make the posters more interactive by allowing kids to write titles of books they have recently read on sticky notes, under the posters as well. 5. Use Songs to Practice Finding the Theme I love to add music to the classroom whenever possible. Not only does it add instant motivation for some kids, but it is also just good for them in so many ways. There are lots of songs you can use to teach theme, from current pop songs to oldies, rap songs, and country songs. While all of these work well, I especially enjoy using Disney songs. Disney songs are easily recognized for some kids, have catchy, fun tunes, and have lyrics that need no censoring (yay!). You can easily find the lyrics online to project on a smartboard or document projector, and the song clips may be found on YouTube, Here are some of my favorite Disney songs which work well for theme: Hakuna Matata from Lion King Just Keep Swimming from Finding Dory Reflection from Mulan Let it Go from Frozen Something There from Beauty and the Beast A Whole New World from Aladdin 6. Introduce Short Texts Using Task Cards Using task cards for theme gives your students a great deal of practice in a short period of time, which makes them a perfect way to begin to practice finding the theme using text. I love the fact that students can read multiple task card stories and practice finding the theme 20 - 30 times, in the time it might take to read a story and find the theme once. You can do task cards as a center activity, to play Scoot, or as a whole class scavenger hunt. One thing I like to do for the scavenger hunt is to make sure everyone has a partner and to pair stronger readers with struggling readers. 7. Add Some Writing After students have worked on theme for a week or two, I like to have students create their own short stories which show a strong theme, without directly stating it. This changes each student's role from a theme finder, to a theme creator and gives students insight into how authors create a situation that allows a theme to unfold. When I introduce this project, we refer back to the task cards we just completed, as an example of story length and rich content. In a matter of 2 - 3 paragraphs, students learn that they can include enough information to let our readers know our message. After students are finished creating these short stories, it's fun to share them in some way, to give more theme practice. Sometimes I have students meet in small groups to share out, with group members guessing the theme. Other years, I leave a stack on my desk and grab several if we have a few minutes. Either the students or I read the short story out loud, and the class discusses the theme. 8. Move to Passages, Short Stories, and Novels. Once we have scaffolded a great foundation for the understanding of theme, there comes a point where kids have to move on to text which is more challenging. I like to use page-long passages which I have created, before using short stories, and ultimately novels. If you're looking for some ready made materials to help you teach theme, here's a packet I love to use which works well for 4th and 5th Graders. Click here to read more about the Theme unit. Want some more teaching ideas and activities to teach theme? Click here to read Teaching Themes in Literature. If you like this post, make sure to share it with a teacher friend! Thanks so much for stopping by! For more ideas and strategies focused on upper elementary, be sure to sign up for The Teacher Next Door's free email newsletter! Bonus, you'll also gain access to my FREE Resource Library which contains exclusive upper elementary freebies that you won't find anywhere else! I'd love to connect with you! The Teacher Next Door's Website Pinterest Facebook Instagram TpT Store
If you want to teach your little ones about the concept of opposites you will want to check out these fun opposites worksheets and activities.
Writing Worksheet – Your Life Themes (PDF) What are the themes that run through your life, like the leitmotivs in a symphony? Have you ever stopped to look for the pattern that repeats rhythmically in your experiences? What is it you’re always struggling with below the surface? What are the phrases that define all of your stories? Twine your…
Learn what a literary theme is and how you can identify it. Includes a quiz so you can test yourself!
As promised, I have more great new (to me) picture books to share. This collection of funny, moving, and stunningly beautiful books are a must add to any classroom, not just the middle school one.…
The Grandfather & Grandson is a short story that imparts true wisdom and learn a life lesson. Find more spiritual stories that inspire. .
Learn About the 7 Continents! Exploring the 7 Continents has never been more exciting! It’s a Small World Continent Study is filled with over 35 activities to help your students gain a greater understanding of the seven continents. This 130+ page unit is filled with great resources, posters, printables, activities, and projects that will open […]
The Benefits of Using a Yearlong Theme-Based Curriculum Curriculum Design % %
Today’s lesson was more conversation related than full of lots of activities. I originally intended for there to be a volunteer-related field trip for the afternoon but was coming up short on…
Writing Worksheet – Your Life Themes (PDF) What are the themes that run through your life, like the leitmotivs in a symphony? Have you ever stopped to look for the pattern that repeats rhythmically in your experiences? What is it you’re always struggling with below the surface? What are the phrases that define all of your stories? Twine your…
Getting kids to understand theme can be tough. Really tough. It’s one of those ideas that seems to be just outside of their reach, but you can see them trying to grasp the concept. This ye…
Today I’m going to share some actual, real-life retreat schedules with you. I hope you’ll find them helpful as you plan. Keep in mind, they aren’t perfect! You’ll want to tweak them to best suit the needs of your women and your location. Two-Night Retreat Schedules I’ve pulled out three of the two-night schedules that…
You know you two are a match made in “Star Wars” Heaven when you get a card like this on Valentine’s day.
People didn't like tax collectors, but Jesus went to his home anyway.
Tao Te Ching book summary and infographic including: about Lao Tzu, 25 favorite Tao Te Ching quotes, & 10 life-transforming Tao Te Ching meanings / themes.
21 books about feelings that can help children learn to identify emotions, their causes and coping strategies for managing big feelings.
Kids may think they need candy and video games, but parents know better. Help your child learn the difference between a want and a need with this worksheet.
At least once a week in Danielle Waring's class, literature receives a rambunctious...
Easy Daily Workout is a DAREBEE home fitness, no-equipment workout you can do every day.
The secret to finding your novel's soul is its theme; this magic ingredient ties every piece of the story together, making it a critical part of your novel.
We're not ready to say goodbye just yet.
Learn about the brave heroes from the Bible with our customizable Bingo card template. Add or remove names and images to make it perfect for your Sunday school class or Bible study group.
The 5th – 11th October marked the British Dyslexia Association’s Dyslexia Awareness Week. This year’s theme was ‘Making Sense of Dyslexia’. Artists, poets, actors and authors rallied together to share their thoughts on what dyslexia means to them. We shared poet, Sally Gardner’s, tribute to Dyslex
What is theme? Theme is the underlying message you want readers to take away from your story. Learn how to figure out the theme of your story in this post.
