5.10 Demonstrate research based instructional practices for developing students' ability to read critically
In addition to know the main idea and author’s purpose, fourth graders will be able to identify the theme of a text. There are tons of different activities I have been doing to help them practice this skill. Some activities include task cards and whole group practice. I also have used a graphic organizer to teach them how to look for the theme of a story.
First I told them that the theme was basically the central message or lesson that the author was trying to send out in their story. Finding the theme of a story can be a little tricky because it isn't stated, it is something that a student has to think critically and come up with using evidence from the text. I explained to them that to identify the theme of the story the first thing they needed to do is look closely at what the characters say and do in the stories. Then the next thing they had to look at was the how they story ended, what main event happened at the end.
To apply this I showed them a graphic organizer that they could use during find the theme of each story they read. We read a story together and as a whole group I drew the organizer on the board and showed them step by step what to do. To fill out the first box they have to choose one character and look at their actions and words, for the second box they are to do the same thing with the other character. The third box should include the main event that concluded the story. Finally, to fill in the last box they put all the information together and choose the theme.
After going through the story and filling in the graphic organizer on the board I instructed them to use a similar organizer in their reading packet and find them for a new story. I have attached the organizer I did on the board with them and an example of the student’s work.
First I told them that the theme was basically the central message or lesson that the author was trying to send out in their story. Finding the theme of a story can be a little tricky because it isn't stated, it is something that a student has to think critically and come up with using evidence from the text. I explained to them that to identify the theme of the story the first thing they needed to do is look closely at what the characters say and do in the stories. Then the next thing they had to look at was the how they story ended, what main event happened at the end.
To apply this I showed them a graphic organizer that they could use during find the theme of each story they read. We read a story together and as a whole group I drew the organizer on the board and showed them step by step what to do. To fill out the first box they have to choose one character and look at their actions and words, for the second box they are to do the same thing with the other character. The third box should include the main event that concluded the story. Finally, to fill in the last box they put all the information together and choose the theme.
After going through the story and filling in the graphic organizer on the board I instructed them to use a similar organizer in their reading packet and find them for a new story. I have attached the organizer I did on the board with them and an example of the student’s work.