What are we going to do? What does determine mean? Determine means __________.

1. Name Learning Objective Determine1 a theme by how the characters respond to challenges. CFU What are we going to do? What does determine mean? Determine means __________. Activate Prior Knowledge You borrowed your best-friend’s favorite movie and damaged it. What would you do? (Pair-Share) Make Connection Students, you were all able to tell me what you would do. You had a problem and you solved it. In stories, characters often face a problem or challenge. Usually the challenge is resolved, and the characters learn something as a result. Now, we will determine a theme by how characters respond to challenges. 1 figure out Vocabulary

2. Concept Development • Theme refers to a message about life or human nature2expressed in literature. • Theme is not directly stated3. Readers must use details from the textto inferthe theme. • • Details from the text include plot and characters’ actions. • How characters respond4 to challenges in a story often reveals the theme. Theme: “If at first you don't succeed, try and try again.” adaptedfrom The Crow and the Pitcher 1. A Crow, half-dead with thirst, came upon a water pitcher. 2. But when the Crow put its beak into the opening of the pitcher, very little water was left in it, and he could not reach far enough down to drink. 3. Then a thought came to him, and he took a small rock and dropped it into the pitcher. 4. Then he took another rock and dropped it into the pitcher. 5. After some time, he saw the water rise, and was able to quench his thirst and save his life. 90 words CFU Which of the following sentences could be a theme in a text? How do you know? A Leo was a jealous kid. He wanted a phone like the one his best friend had. B Be thankful for what you have. In your own words what is theme? “Theme is _________.” Vocabulary 2 (human nature) how people behave 3 (directly stated) written word for word 4 react

3. Skill Development/Guided Practice • Theme refers to a message about life or human nature expressed in literature. • Theme is not directly stated. Readers must use details from the text to inferthe theme. • • Details from the text include plot and characters’ actions. • How characters respond to challenges in a story often reveals the theme. Determine a theme by how the characters respond to challenges. Read the text. Identify5 the challenge and response of the characters. (write) Determine the theme. (answer) 1 2 3 “We are all threatened,” answered the tiger. “Are there any other lions in this forest?” he asked. “No there were some, but the monster has eaten them all. And, besides, they were none of them nearly so large and brave as you.” The great spider was lying asleep when the Lion found him. The Lion knew it was easier to fight it asleep than awake; he gave a great spring and landed directly upon the monster's back. Then, with one blow of his heavy paw, he knocked the spider's head from its body. The Lion went back to the opening where the beasts of the forest were waiting for him and said proudly: “You need fear your enemy no longer.” 242 words Excerpt from Wizard Of Oz L. Frank Baum “If the elephants and the tigers and the bears had ever tried to fight me, I should have run myself – I’m such a coward,” said the Lion, wiping a tear from his eye with the tip of his tail. “It is my great sorrow, and makes my life very unhappy. But whenever there is danger my heart begins to beat fast.” several hours later “Welcome, O King of Beasts! You have come in good time to fight our enemy and bring peace to all the animals of the forest once more.” “What is your trouble?” asked the Lion quietly. What was the Lion’s challenge? ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ How did the Lion respond to the challenge? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Which sentence would best be the theme of the passage? A Enjoy life whenever possible. B When you’re a coward , you have brave moments. C You can achieve more than you believe. CFU How did I/you identify the challenge and response? How did I/you determine the theme? 5 recognize Vocabulary 2 3

4. Skill Development/Guided Practice (continued) adapted from Little Women Louisa May Alcott Chapter 1 1. "It's so dreadful6 to be poor!" sighed Meg, looking down at her old dress. 2. "I don't think it's fair for some girls to have plenty of pretty things, and other girls nothing at all," added little Amy,  with an injured sniff. 3. "We've got Father and Mother, and each other," said Bethcontentedly from her corner. 4. Nobody spoke for a minute; then Meg said in an altered tone,  The theme of this passage is “Sometimes we must sacrifice to help others.” Identify which sentences are useful in helping determine the theme of the passage. Underline. 5. “You know the reason Mother proposed not having any presents thisChristmas was because it is going to be a hard winter for everyone;and she thinks we ought not to spend money for pleasure, when our men are suffering so in the army.” 6. “We can't do much, but we canmake our little sacrifices, and ought to do it gladly. 7. But I am afraid I don't." 8. And Meg shook her head, as she thought regretfully of all the pretty things she wanted. 150 words How did I/you determine what the question or prompt is asking? How did I/you determine the ELA concept required? How did I/you determine the relevant information? How did I/you answer the question? How did I/you determine if all parts of the question have been answered? CFU 6 awful Vocabulary 1 2 3 4 5

5. Relevance • Theme refers to a message about life or human nature expressed in literature. • Theme is not directly stated. Readers must use details from the text to inferthe theme. • • Details from the text include plot and characters’ actions. • How characters respond to challenges in a story often reveals the theme. Determining a theme by how the characters respond to challenges will help you understand your favorite books and movies. 1 Determining a theme by how the characters respond to challenges will help you do well on tests. 2 Sample Test Question: 30. Which details from the text helped you determine the theme? A The character’s name and age. B The story taking place on the moon. C The character learning from his mistakes. D The character having glasses and brown hair. Does anyone else have another reason why it is relevant to determine a theme by how the characters respond to challenges? (Pair-Share) Why is it relevant determine the theme by how the characters respond to challenges? You may give one of my reasons or one of your own. Which reason is more relevant to you? Why? CFU

6. Theme refers to a message about life or human nature expressed in literature. • Theme is not directly stated. Readers must use details from the text to inferthe theme. • • Details from the text include plot and characters’ actions. • How characters respond to challenges in a story often reveals the theme. Skill Closure Determine a theme by how the characters respond to challenges. Read the text. Identify the challenge and response of the characters. (write) 1 2 Word Bank The Monkey and the Cookies 1. A monkey put his hand into a jar of cookies. 2. He grabbed as many cookies as he could hold, but when he tried to pull out his hand, he was prevented from doing so by the neck of the cookie jar. 3. Unwilling to lose the cookies, and yet unable to withdraw his hand, he burst into tears. 57 words theme message characters actions challenges How did the Monkey respond to the challenge? _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ What was the monkey’s challenge? _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Access Common Core Jay determined the theme of The Monkey and the Cookie Jar was “don’t be greedy.” Do you agree with him? Use details from the text to defend your answer. ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ Summary Closure What did you learn today about determining a theme by how the characters respond to challenges? (Pair-Share) Use words from word bank. Day 1 ____________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Day 2 ____________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________

7. Name Independent Practice • Theme refers to a message about life or human nature expressed in literature. • Theme is not directly stated. Readers must use details from the text to inferthe theme. • • Details from the text include plot and characters’ actions. • How characters respond to challenges in a story often reveals the theme. Determine a theme by how the characters respond to challenges. Read the text. Identify the challenge and response of the characters. (write) Determine the theme. (answer) 1 2 3 The Ant and the Cricket retold 1. When the summer sun beat down on the backs of the ants, the crickets stood in the shade playing music. 2. “Why are you working so hard?” the crickets asked the ants. 3.“Come sing a song with us!” 4. The ants, however, were focused on their task. 5. They were carrying grain to their holes. 6. “We cannot sing, crickets,” the ants replied. 7. “When the weather turns cold, there will be nothing to eat. 8. We will need food to keep us alive.” 9. The ants continued working in the hot sun, while the crickets laughed and sang in the summer shade. 10. Months later, winter arrived. 11. The crickets looked for food everywhere, but they could find none. 12. They went to the ants for help. 13. “Please share food with us. 14. We are starving!” the crickets cried. 15. “Ah, yes! I remember you,” one ant replied. 16.“What were you doing throughout the summer, while we were carrying the grain?” 17. “We were singing!” they replied. 155 words 11 What was the ants’ challenge? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ How did the ants respond to the challenge? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Which sentence would best be the theme of the passage? A Enjoy life whenever possible. B Hard work pays off later. C There will always be time to get things done.

8. Name Periodic Review 1 adapted from Beauty and the Beast 1. Once upon, a time a merchant had finished his business and he set off for home. 2. Remembering his promise to his daughter Beauty, he picked a rose. 3. Instantly, out of the rose garden, sprang a horrible beast. 4. “Theft of my favorite flowers! 5. I shall put you to death for this slight!” 6. Trembling with fear, the merchant fell on his knees. 7. “Forgive me! 8. I'll do anything you say! 10. The rose wasn't for me, it was for my daughter. 11. I promised to bring her back a rose from my journey!” 12. "I shall spare your life, but on one condition, that you bring me your daughter!” 13. The terror-stricken merchant, faced with certain death if he did not obey, promised that he would do so. 14. When he reached home in tears, Beauty put his mind at rest immediately. 15. “Dear father, I'd do anything for you! 16. Don't worry, you'll be able to keep your promise and save your life!” 17. So Beauty was led to the castle. 18. In the beginning, Beauty was frightened of the Beast, and shuddered at the sight of it. 19. Then she found that, in spite of the monster's awful head, her horror of it was gradually fading as time went by. 20. She had one of the finest rooms in the Castle, and sat for hours, embroidering in front of the fire. 21. And the Beast would sit, for hours on end, only a short distance away, silently gazing at her. 22. Then it started to say a few kind words, till in the end, Beauty was amazed to discover that she was actually enjoying its conversation. 23. The days passed, and Beauty and the Beast became good friends. 271 words What was Beauty’s challenge? _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ How did Beauty respond to the challenge? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Which sentence would best be the theme of the passage? A Do not steal from others. B Honesty is the best policy. C Good friends can be found where you least expect them. Access Common Core Write another possible theme for the text above. Teacher:____________________________________________________________. Student:____________________________________________________________. Why is this a possible theme ? __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________

9. Name Periodic Review 2 11 A Legend of the Iroquois 1. Long ago, the Earth was covered in darkness. 2. None of the creatures living there knew what daylight looked like.3. One day, all of the animals of the forest gathered together in a clearing. 4. They wondered if it would be better to remain in darkness, or if it would be better to also have light. 5.The most powerful animal in the forest was the bear; Bear argued for remaining in darkness. 6. He said that the creatures of the forest would be able to sleep better in darkness. 7. Most of the other animals were afraid, so they agreed with Bear. 8. Raccoon said that he did not mind the darkness because he was so smart that he could find plenty of food in the dark. 9. Wolf was easy to please because she could howl in darkness.10.  But one animal did stand up to Bear. 11. Chipmunk, the smallest of the animals, argued that it would be better to have both light and dark. 12. Chipmunk was very clever. 13. As Bear continued to argue for darkness, she made many good arguments for light. 14. Bear grew tired of talking, but Chipmunk chattered on and on, as if she had all of the energy in the world. 15. As the other animals dropped off to sleep, one by one, Chipmunk kept arguing. 16. Finally, the first sunrise appeared. 17. Chipmunk began to dance from rock to rock. 18. Bear became angry because he didn't get his way. 19. He roared loudly and ran after Chipmunk. 20. He chased Chipmunk all the way down the mountain. 21. Bear was fast, and he reached out his giant paw to grab Chipmunk. 22. Chipmunk got away, but not before Bear managed to scratch her back with his long claws. 23. And that is why, to this day, you can see stripes on Chipmunk's back! 295 words What was the Chipmunk’s challenge? _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ How did the Chipmunk respond to the challenge? ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ Which sentence would best be the theme of the passage? A Stand up for what you want. B Always go with the crowd. C There is only one right way to get things done.

10. Name Access Common Core Read the story titles and text below. Then, decide which themes best fit the stories. A Family is the most important thing. B Good wins over evil. C There’s no place like home. The Cricket in Times Square - A cricket named Chester from Connecticut gets caught on a commuter train heading for New York, and after stumbling on the subway he ends up in Times Square. While Chester is enjoying his time in New York City, he yearns to return to his home in Connecticut. Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters - Both of Mufaro's daughters are beautiful but one is bad tempered and one is kind. When the king of the land asks the daughters to appear before him so he can choose a queen, the prideful, bad-tempered daughter decides to set out in the night so she can get there first. Along the path are many opportunities to show one's true character. The kind daughter makes different decisions than her bad- tempered sister and ends up Queen.

11. Name Periodic Review 3 Suggested Reading: Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt The Black Stallion by Walter Farley • Summarize: Write a brief overview of the text. • Answer: • What is the story’s theme? • What was the main character’s challenge? • How did the character respond to the challenge? • Did the story connect to your own life? If yes, how? Access Common Core Extension Activity: 5.RL.9 Compare and contrast stories in the same genre on their approaches to similar themes or topics. Fantasy Novels Bridge to Terabithia by Thomas Crowell Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan Historical Fiction Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder  Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery Fiction (Contemporary) Taking Sides by Gary Soto Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan

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