Jessie Schepis
The College of New Jersey
Lesson Plan
Title: Reading- Theme and Comparing and Contrasting “A Royal Mystery” and “The Princess
and the Pea”
Grade Level: 5th grade bilingual
Topic: The topic of this lesson is finding theme in a story. The students will also compare and
contrast the themes and stories of “A Royal Mystery” and “The Princess and the Pea.”
Rationale: Students should learn how to find the theme of a story because it is the main message
of the story. It also shows how they can make connections and relate the story to their own lives.
Comparing and contrasting allows the students to analyze each story more closely.
Lesson Essential Question: What is the theme of the stories? What are the similarities and
differences between the stories?
Standards:
RL. 5.3 compare and contrast characters, settings, or events, drawing on details
RL. 5.2 determine theme from details/summarize
RL. 5.7 analyze how visual and multimedia elements contribute to the meaning, tone, or beauty
of the text
SL.5.1c pose and respond to questions, make comments that contribute to the discussion, and
elaborate on others’ remarks
Learning Objectives and Assessments:
Objectives
SWBAT define theme and identify the
theme of a drama and a story.
Assessments
Whiteboard responses for theme definition, song
“Corazon sin Cara,” and theme of “The Princess
and the Pea”
Theme rubric in reader’s notebooks
Exit slip- What was the theme of the story? How
do you know?
SWBAT compare and contrast two stories.
SWBAT summarize a story.
Think, pair, share; class discussion and Venn
diagram
Oral questioning
Guided reading groups exit slips
Materials:
8 whiteboards
Laptop
Projector
“Corazón sin Cara” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNN7NTl83cI
Student text Journeys
Guided reading books: 3 “The Play,” 2 “La Obra de Teatro,” 6 “In the City, In the Country”
8 summary sheets
Student independent reading books
Reader’s workshop notebooks
Theme rubric
Pencils
Post-its
Pre-lesson assignments and/or prior knowledge: The students have been working on theme
for over a week. I will play the song “Corazon sin Cara.” I will ask the students to write on their
whiteboards what theme is and give 5 tickets to whoever has the correct definition. Then, I will
ask them to write the theme of the song and give 5 tickets to whoever gives an accurate example.
(3 min)
Lesson beginning: 1. I will ask the students to open their Journeys book to page 66 for our
shared reading of “The Princess and the Pea.” I will read the story as the students follow along. I
will ask comprehension questions along the way. (10 min)
Instructional Plan:
1. I will ask the class for an oral summary. (2 min)
2. Then, I will ask each student to write on their whiteboard what he/she thinks is the theme
of the story. We will discuss their answers and decide on one or two best answers. (5
min)
3. I will ask the students to think, pair, and share how the two stories are the same and how
they are different. We will compare and contrast “The Princess and the Pea” and “A
Royal Mystery” on the online Venn diagram. (5 min)
4. Next, I will split the class into two groups: 1) M, Y, YC, G, B 2) M, C, J
5. Group 2 M, C, and J will start in guided reading with me. We will read and discuss “The
Play” by Rob Hale. Each student will fill out a summarizing sheet.
6. Meanwhile, group 1 will be reading independently, looking for theme in their books, and
then filling out the theme rubric in their reader’s notebooks. (10 min reading, 5 min
writing- 15 min)
7. After 15 minutes we will switch.
8. Group 1 M, Y, YC, G, and B will be in guided reading. We will read and discuss pages 19 in “In the City, In the Country. Each student will fill out a summarizing sheet for what
happened so far in the story.
9. Meanwhile, group 2 will now be reading independently, looking for theme in their books,
and then filling out the theme rubric in their reader’s notebooks. (10 min reading, 5 min
writing- 15 min)
Total lesson time- 60 minutes
Differentiation: Student M will follow along and read the Spanish version of the book and can
discuss in Spanish if needed.
Lower level students C, B, J, and M are seated at the front of the class as to allow them to focus
and be at the center of instruction.
Students who are auditory learners will benefit from hearing the song and thinking about its
theme, shared reading, and listening to discussion.
Students who are visual learners will benefit from seeing the illustrations in the books, the Venn
diagram, and the summarizing graphic organizer.
Students who are kinesthetic learners will benefit from physically writing their answers on their
individual whiteboards.
Questions:
What is theme?
What is the theme of this song?
What is the theme of “A Royal Mystery?”
What is the theme of “The Princess and the Pea?”
How are these stories the same and how are they different?
What happens in this story (give a summary)?
Classroom management:
Students who are especially prepared, attentive, and/or who answer questions correctly will get
tickets. Tickets are drawn at the end of the month and the winners receive prizes.
Students who do something unexpected and extraordinary get a gold coin. One gold coin is
drawn at the end of the year. The student winner receives a tablet.
Transitions:
The students will start at their desks.
They will split into groups after we compare and contrast the two stories. First, group 1 will stay
at their desks and group 2 will join me at the rectangular table.
After 15 minutes, group 2 will go back to their desks and group 1 will join me at the rectangular
table.
Closure: We will come back together and students will share what they learned in independent
and guided reading. The students will answer the questions, “What was the theme of the story
you read in independent reading? How do you know?” as an exit slip. (5 min)