Exploring Story Themes
English (ELA) • 30 • 16 students • Created with AI following Aligned with Common Core State Standards
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Teaching Instructions
This is lesson 3 of 6 in the unit "Exploring Roll of Thunder". Lesson Title: Understanding Themes in the Novel Lesson Description: Students will identify and discuss the central themes of the novel, such as racism, family, and resilience. They will work in groups to create a theme collage.
I can identify and explain the themes in the story.
Success Criteria: Students can articulate at least two themes and provide examples from the text.
Differentiation: Provide sentence starters for students who struggle with writing.
Extension: Create a presentation on how a theme relates to current events.
Lesson 3 of 6: Understanding Themes in the Novel
Grade Level: 4th Grade
Duration: 30 minutes
Class Size: 16 students
Unit: Exploring Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
Subject: English Language Arts
Learning Objectives (CCSS-Aligned)
Students will be able to:
- Identify central themes in Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry (racism, family, resilience).
- Explain how specific events in the novel illustrate these themes.
- Collaborate in small groups to synthesize their understanding through a creative theme collage.
Common Core State Standards Addressed
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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.4.3
Describe in depth a character, setting, or event in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text. -
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.4.1
*Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 4 topics and texts, building on others’ ideas
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