Ms. Caffee
KWL chart
Know
Want to Know

Learned
Read “Once Upon a
Time”

Once you are finished, answer
the collaborative discussion
question on p. 16 on a sheet of
scrap paper.
“Once Upon a Time” –
Plot Summary

Theme
Definition: The writer’s message
or main idea.
 There may be more than one
theme.
How to Understand the Theme
1. Find the “big
ideas” or general
topics:
 Courage
 Family
 Friendship
 Growing up
 Pride
 Freedom
 Prejudice
2. What does the
author want the
reader to
understand about
the “big idea”?
 If the story is about
“family,” is the
author saying “it is
important to stick
together as a
family”?
 The theme is a
statement!
Example – Identify the Theme
from “Eleven” by Sandra Cisneros
 Looking at what a character says/does will help
you identify the theme:
“I’m eleven today. I’m eleven, ten, nine, eight,
seven, six, five, four, three, two, and one, but I
wish I was one hundred and two. I wish I was
anything but eleven, because I want today to be
far away already, far away like a runaway
balloon, like a tiny o in the sky, so tiny-tiny you
have to close your eyes to see it.”
What is the “big idea”?
Growing up
What is a thematic statement for this selection?
Growing up can be frustrating (She wants to be
grown up - 102, not just 20!)
How to Understand Theme
Come up with a statement of the author’s point or
message about the topic.
 Don’t confuse theme with topic (“big idea”).
 Theme is a point made about a topic.
 Example:
Mildred Taylor in “Roll of Thunder, Hear My
Cry” writes about the topic of racism, but that
isn’t her theme. Her theme could be that racism
is caused by ignorance and insecurity.
 Different stories could have different themes on
the same topic.
How to Understand Theme
 Make sure you have details to offer as
evidence of your theme statement.
 Stating a theme is not a magic trick (making
it appear out of thin air).
 A theme needs to be based on certain things
characters say and do!
Examples of Theme
Identify general topics in these stories and
suggest a theme statement.
1. The Grinch
2. Three Little Pigs
3. Harry Potter
4. Frozen




Even if you make a mistake, you can do the right
thing in the end.
Good planning can lead to success.
Good can overcome evil.
Be yourself.
Concentric Circle on Theme
– 20 point classwork assignment
 In your groups, make a concentric circle to represent
the theme of “Once Upon a Time.”
1. Write the
big idea
2. Give 3
examples
from the
text that
support
your big
idea.
(Include the
line #s)
4. Thematic Statement
3. Symbolism x4
2. Support from text x 3
1. Big idea
3. Draw 4
symbols from
the story
that represent
your big idea.
4. Write the
thematic
statement
based on the
evidence you
have found.
Homework

Nadine Gordimer’s story “Once Upon a Time”
explores the consequences of apartheid, a major social
issue in her community.
1. Think of a social issue about which you could
write a story. Then, find an article about the social
issue on which you wish to focus.
2. Print or cut out the article.
3. Write the statement that you wish to communicate
about this issue at the top of the article, along with
your header (Name, Date, English I, Class Period).
Fairy Tales

What is a fairy tale?
A short story that includes
fantastical elements
Examples: The Three Little Pigs,
Cinderlla
As a group, make a list of as many
fairy tales as possible.
Elements of a Fairy Tale
(also on p. 17 in book)

1. The main characters are opposed by an evil force.
2. Animals have special abilities.
3. The story is used to teach a lesson.
4. Good characters have bad things happen to
them.
5. The setting does not seem quite real.
6. Details in the story foreshadow that the problem,
or conflict, will be resolved in the “happily ever
after” ending.
Elements of a Fairy Tale

Which of the following fairy tale elements does “Once
Upon a Time” contain? Be sure to provide examples
from the story to support your answer.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
The main characters are opposed by an evil force.
Animals have special abilities.
The story is used to teach a lesson.
Good characters have bad things happen to them.
The setting does not seem quite real.
Details from the story foreshadow that the problem,
or conflict, will be resolved in the “happily ever
after” ending.
Why???

Why would Nadine Gordimer
choose to structure “Once Upon
a Time” like a fairy tale?
Fairy tales often communicate
themes.
Write your own fairy
tale (see handout)

Homework

Critical Vocabulary questions #1-5 on p. 19 of your
textbook.
AND
Use each of the critical vocabulary words from “Once
Upon a Time” in a complete sentence.
You may complete this on one sheet of paper. Your
homework will be collected at the beginning of next
class.
Assignment

Analyzing the Text questions #1, 4, 5
and 6. Remember to answer using the
ACE method that we discussed in
class.
You have twenty minutes (5 minutes
per question) to work on this in class.