Name:___________________________
Date: November___, 2013
Homeroom:______________________
By the end of the lesson you will be able to analyze the
theme of a text by identifying big ideas.
How do I analyze theme?
Do Now Directions: Read and chunk the following Aesop’s Fable and then determine what the lesson
would be.
“The Crow and the Pitcher”
CHUNK
A crow perishing with thirst saw a pitcher, and hoping to find water, flew to it
with delight. When he reached it, he discovered to his grief that it contained so
little water that he could not possibly get at it. He tried everything he could think
of to reach the water, but all his efforts were in vain. At last he collected as many
stones as he could carry and dropped them one by one with his beak into the
pitcher, until he brought the water within his reach and thus saved his life.
What do you think the theme or lesson of the passage above is? Why?
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In my own words it is important to learn how to analyze theme because…
Good readers are able to identify the theme of a text. Theme is the lesson, moral or message of the text.
Theme has to relate to human life- something that everyone can relate to. Themes are ideas or concepts
that the author believes are important and highlights throughout the text. Themes always have to do with
human life and have to be relatable for everyone.
Chains: Chapter 42
Pg. #
In the text it said…
271
“Way I saw it, Mr. Paine was saying all people
were the same, that no one deserved a crown or
was born to be higher than another.”
272
272
“That girl could more likely grab hold of the feet
of a passing crow and bid him fly her to safety.
Better yet, sprout her own wings.”
Potential Theme & Explanation
CHECK FOR UNDERSTANDING:
Directions: Silently and independently answer the question below using your test taking strategies!
1. Which sentence BEST explains the theme of the passage?
A.
B.
C.
D.
People should be careful when they are daydreaming.
All men are created equally and should be treated equally.
People should not judge you on what you do or don’t have.
When you are wealthy, you deserve better things.
Partner Practice:
Directions: With your elbow partner in whisper voices read the quote below. Then answer the questions
in the table below.
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their
creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of
happiness.”- Declaration of Independence
With a dictionary or using Self-evident:
Vocabulary
context clues determine
what self-evident,
Endowed:
endowed, and unalienable
mean?
Unalienable:
Comprehension What does thus quote
mean?
Analysis
Why does Lauire Halse
Anderson have this quote
at the beginning of the
chapter?
Independent Practice
Directions: Read your IRB and identify when traits or emotions of your character are revealed. Complete
the chart below.
Pg. #
In the text it said…
Potential Theme
Explanation
Exit Slip:
Directions: Silently re-read your evidence chart and your partner practice. Then answer the question
below in at least 2 sentences. Support your answer with evidence from the text.
Based on our reading so far in Chains, what is a theme that you think stands out? Explain in at
least 2 sentences using textual evidence.
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Name:______________
Date:_________________________
Homeroom:____________________
Humanities
No Excuses!
If you need help:
Call -781-956-6209
Email- Kathryn.alwon@dc.gov
Homework: The Fisherman and His Wife
Directions: This story is about a fisherman and his wife who came across a lucky fish. Read and chunk to find
out what happens and answer the questions that follow.
The Fisherman and His Wife
There was once a fisherman and his wife who lived together in a slovenly hut by the
seashore. The fisherman went out every day to catch fish. One day he was sitting with
his rod when suddenly he drew up his line and found a great fish on the hook. The fish
said to him, “Fisherman, listen to me. Let me go. I am not a real fish but an enchanted
prince. I shall not taste good so put me back into the water again and let me swim
away.” “Well,” said the fisherman, “no need for so many words. I would much rather
let you swim away.” So he cast him back into the sea. Then the fisherman went home
to his wife in the hut.
“Well husband,” said the wife, “have you caught anything today?” “Well said the man.
“That is, I did catch a huge fish, but as he said he was an enchanted prince. So I let him
go again.” “Did you not wish for something? “ asked his wife. “No. What should I wish
for?” “Oh dear!” said the wife. “It is so dreadful always to live in this hut. You might as
well have wished for a little cottage. Go and be quick.”
The fisherman returned to the ocean and the fish came swimming up. “Fish,” said the
man, “my wife says that I should have asked for something when I caught you. She
does not want to live in the hut and would rather a cottage.” “Go home,” said the fish.
“She has it already.” So the man went home and found, instead of the hut, a little
cottage. Inside there was a beautiful little bedroom, a kitchen, and a sitting room with a
lot of different furniture. The woman and the man were very jovial after seeing all their
new things.
The next day the wife told her husband “Look here, husband, this cottage is too small.
I think the fish had better give us a larger house. I think we deserve a castle. Go see
your fish and he will send us a castle.” “Oh my dear wife!” said the man. “ Is the
cottage not enough? What do we need a castle for?”
“Go along,” ordered the wife. “He might as well give it to us. Do as I say!”
So the man went and when he came to the sea the half-frightened man asked the fish
for a large castle. “Go home,” said the fish. “She is already standing before the door.”
When the man arrived home instead of the cottage there was a great castle. The
husband and wife entered the castle doorway into a huge hall with a marble floor and
many servants. The rooms were covered with golden chairs and tables. Chandeliers
were hanging from the ceiling and there were expensive, luxurious carpets and
couches. “See?” said the wife, “is this not beautiful?” The next morning the wife
awakened and called to her husband. “Husband,” she called, “look out of the window.
Just think if we could be King over all this country. Go to your fish and tell him we
should like to be King.” “Now, wife,” said the man. “What should we be Kings for? I
don’t want to be King.” “Well,” said the wife, “if you don’t want to be King, I will.
Chunk
You must go at once to the fish. Go now!” The man, who did not want to go to the fish,
begrudgingly went to the sea.
“Now what?” asked the fish, “What could she possibly want?” “She wants to be
King!” said the man. “Go home,” said the fish, “and you will find her as King.” The
man arrived home and his wife was King, but still she was not satisfied. The next
morning the woman called to her husband. “Husband I want to become like God. Go
ask your fish!” she demanded. The man was so startled that he fell out of bed.
"Husband," she said, "I want to become like God. Go there now!” "Oh, wife," said the
man, falling on his knees before her, "the fish cannot do that. He can make you a castle,
and King, but I beg you, do not be greedy.”
Anger fell over her. Her hair flew wildly about her head. She kicked him with her foot
and shouted, "I cannot stand it! I cannot stand it any longer! Go there immediately!" He
put on his pants and ran off. Outside such a storm was raging that he could hardly stand
on his feet. Houses and trees were blowing over. The mountains were shaking, and
boulders were rolling from the cliffs into the sea. The sky was as black as pitch. There
was thunder and lightning. In the sea there were great black waves as high as church
towers and mountains. "What does she want?” said the fish "Oh," he said, "She wants
to become like God." "Go home. She is sitting in her filthy shack again." And they are
sitting there even today.
1. What character traits best describe the Wife in this story?
A. Obedient and passive
B. Sad and morose C. Happy and jovial
D. Bossy and Greedy
2. What character traits best describe the Husband in this story?
A. Obedient and passive
B. Sad and morose C. Happy and jovial
D. Bossy and Greedy
3. Read the following excerpt:
The husband and wife entered the castle doorway into a huge hall with a marble floor and many servants.
The rooms were covered with golden chairs and tables. Chandeliers were hanging from the ceiling and
there were expensive, luxurious carpets and couches.
What does the word luxurious most likely mean in this context?
A. Cheap
B. Ugly
C. Expensive
D. Soft
4. What best describes the moral/theme of this story?
A. United we stand, divided we fall
C. Be happy with what you have
B. Think before you act
D. Never listen to your wife
5. Explain your answer. How do you know this? _______________________________________________
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