Grades 3-5
Standards
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.3.2
Recount stories, including fables, folktales, and myths from diverse cultures;
determine the central message, lesson, or moral and explain how it is conveyed
through key details in the text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.4.2
Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text; summarize the
text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.5.2
Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text, including how
characters in a story or drama respond to challenges or how the speaker in a poem
reflects upon a topic; summarize the text.
Materials
o Computers, laptops, or tablets with Internet access (for HabitRPG)
o Read aloud book with a moral/theme
o 3rd Grade Example: Tacky the Penguin by Helen Lester
Other examples: Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon, Mr. George Baker, The
Lotus Seed, Disney books
o Fiction Story Map sheets
o Pencils
o Paper/colored pencils
Procedure
o Do read aloud with students.
o For example, read Tacky the Penguin, about a unique penguin who saves the
day by through his individuality.
o Afterwards, students fill out their Fiction Story Map sheets, which covers the
characters, settings, problem/conflict, plot (beginning, middle, end),
solution/resolution, and theme/author’s message.
o After a group discussion about the sheet and the theme/central message of
the story, students can write a journal entry about a time when their
uniqueness helped them (worth more points or gold coins) or draw a picture
about it.
o If extra time, students can choose to read another story with a moral/theme.
o Students can then track their progress through HabitRPG.
Habit RPG:
o Habits: listened during read aloud, contributed to class discussion,
interrupted during class discussion, etc.
o Dailies: write a journal entry, independent reading, etc.
o To-Dos: complete Fiction Story Map sheet, illustrate a picture, etc.
o Rewards (other than website’s): stickers, candy, one free question on a quiz,
etc.
Assessment
Students will be assessed on their understanding of the theme/central message
through their Fiction Story Map sheets. They also will be assessed on either their
journal entry or illustration.
Grades 6-8
Standards
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.2
Determine a theme or central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular
details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.7.2
Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the
course of the text; provide an objective summary of the text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.8.2
Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the
course of the text, including its relationship to the characters, setting, and plot;
provide an objective summary of the text.
Materials
o Computers, laptops, or tablets with Internet access(for HabitRPG)
o Novel with a theme
o Example: Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell
Other examples: Esperanza Rising, The Tale of Despereaux, The Giver
o Island of the Blue Dolphins Novel Studies Guide:
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Island-of-the-BlueDolphins-Reed-Novel-Studies-45322
Procedure
o Students are to read the novel Island of the Blue Dolphins, which is about a 12
year old girl trying to survive on a small island by herself.
o Throughout reading the novel, students can do numerous activities
throughout the chapters, such as vocabulary, discussion questions, research
interesting facts about a topic, interview other students, and describe the
themes of the text, which will all be varying in points (gold coins).
o The guide is presented chapter-by-chapter and includes the following
distinct sections: Vocabulary, Comprehension Questions (including many
higher-level thinking questions); and Extension Activities. This curriculum
unit includes everything needed to teach the novel including the following
concepts/ activities: research assignments, cloze activities, creative writing
opportunities, character studies, discussion/brainstorming opportunities,
literary devices, analogies, synonyms and antonyms, parts of speech,
investigations of plot and setting, crossword and word search puzzles.
o Students will have a certain number of activities to complete per chapter,
some required and some optional. A required assignment will be relate one
theme from the novel to your life in a journal entry.
o Students can track their progress through HabitRPG.
Habit RPG:
o Habits: contributed to class discussion, interrupted class, turned in work late,
etc.
o Dailies: add a vocabulary word to Word Wall, independent reading, write a
journal, etc.
o To-Dos: find a simile, find a new vocab word, find a foreshadowing example,
find an alliteration example, etc.
o Rewards (other than website’s): one free question on quiz, free hall pass,
one-day extension for homework, etc.
Assessment
Students will be assessed by their understanding of the theme/central message and
a summary of the text through their various chapter activities completed
throughout the novel, and their journal relating a theme to their life.
Grades 9-12
Standards
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.2
Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze in detail its development over
the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific
details; provide an objective summary of the text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.11-12.2
Determine two or more themes or central ideas of a text and analyze their
development over the course of the text, including how they interact and build on one
another to produce a complex account; provide an objective summary of the text.
Materials
o Computers, laptops, or tablets with Internet access (for HabitRPG)
o Novel with a theme
o Example: The Great Gatsby
o Other examples: The Jungle, Death of a Salesman, Romeo and Juliet, To
Kill a Mockingbird, Gone with the Wind, Paradise Lost, The Great Gatsby
o The Great Gatsby Essay sheets
o Graphic organizers
o Pencils and paper
Procedure
o Students are to read The Great Gatsby, which is about the story of the fabulously
wealthy Jay Gatsby and his love for the beautiful Daisy Buchanan.
o As students are reading the novel, they will fill out numerous activity sheets about
the characters, plot, setting, and themes of the book (as done with grades 6-8).
o After reading the novel, students will fill out a graphic organizer and then write a
Great Gatsby Essay:
o Choose one of the following themes and write a 5 paragraph essay proving
how the theme plays out in the novel. Which characters embody this
theme? What instances in the story prove this theme? What is the author
trying to tell you about his opinion on this theme? Use at least 2 pieces of
textual evidence in each body paragraph.
Themes: Lies, Betrayal, Friendship, Love, Social Status, Importance of
Money
o Format of Paper:
Introduction: Briefly summarize the novel, state your claim, and give us a map of
your paper.
Body 1: Choose one instance of your theme in the novel. You should back up this
explanation with two pieces of textual evidence and commentary about that
evidence.
Body 2: Choose a second instance of your theme in the novel. You should back
up this explanation with two pieces of textual evidence and commentary about
that evidence.
Body 3: Choose a third instance of your theme in the novel. You should back up
this explanation with two pieces of textual evidence and commentary about that
evidence.
Conclusion: Restate what the theme was and what instances you used to back up
your theme. Be sure to end with a universal statement about how your theme
affects everyone.
o Students will then track their progress through HabitRPG.
Habit RPG:
o Habits: late to class, contributed to class discussion, interrupted class, turned
in word late, late to class, turned in homework on time, etc.
o Dailies: independent reading, write a journal, write a blog, etc.
o To-Dos: find a simile, find a new vocab word, find a foreshadowing example,
find an alliteration example, find quotes, fill out graphic organizer, write
Great Gatsby essay, revise, etc.
o Rewards (other than website’s): one free question on quiz, free hall pass,
one-day extension for homework, listen to music during silent work, etc.
Assessment
Students will be assessed by