THEME

The theme of a story is the heart of the story (that’s a metaphor!!!).  The theme ties together the characters, the setting and the story plot.  Sometimes we mix up the theme with the main idea of the story.  These are not the same.  Look at the chart below:

Watch my new movie below and fill out the following text box.  What do you think the lesson/theme of this movie short is?  What do you think the main idea is?

Here is a story element breakdown of your favourite fairy tales.  Pick your favourite fairy tale, research the theme and fill in the text box below:

Read the small story passages below and answer the text boxes on theme:

1. The Bundle of Sticks

   An old monkey on the point of death summoned his sons around him to give them some parting advice. He ordered them to bring in a bundle of sticks, and said to his eldest son: “Break it.” The son strained and strained, but with all his efforts was unable to break the sticks. The other sons also tried, but none of them was successful. “Untie the bundle,” said the father, “and each of you take a stick.” When they had done so, he called out to them: “Now, break,” and each stick was easily broken. “You see my meaning,” said their father.

   What is the moral of this story?

   1. Question people’s intentions.
   2. Appreciate what you have.
   3. Don’t be greedy.
   4. There is strength in unity.

The Dogs and the Hides

Some dogs famished with hunger saw a number of cowhides steeping in a river. Not being able to reach them, they agreed to drink up the river, but it happened that they burst themselves with drinking long before they reached the hides.

What is the moral of this story?

1. Appreciate what you have.
2. Do not attempt the impossible.
3. Don’t be greedy.
4. Question people’s intentions.

The Ant and the Grasshopper

In a field one summer’s day a Grasshopper was hopping about, chirping and singing to its heart’s content. An Ant passed by, bearing along with great toil an ear of corn he was taking to the nest. “Why not come and chat with me,” said the Grasshopper, “instead of toiling and moiling in that way?” “I am helping to lay up food for the winter,” said the Ant, “and recommend you to do the same.” “Why bother about winter?” said the Grasshopper; we have got plenty of food at present.” But the Ant went on its way and continued its toil. When the winter came the Grasshopper had no food and found itself dying of hunger, while it saw the ants distributing every day corn and grain from the stores they had collected in the summer. Then the Grasshopper knew.

What is the moral of this story?

1. Strength in unity
2. Question people’s intentions
3. Work now and play later
4. Don’t be greedy

Last week we put together the tools for solving area of circles.  This week we will try and move on to finding volumes of shapes that have circular curves like cylinders (pop cans) and cones.  I want to check to make sure we are ready to make that jump.  Complete the problems below and show all your steps in the text box, not just the final answer.

You are done!!!!