Theme and Summary Practice

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📚 Part 1: Understanding Theme

What is a Theme? A theme is the main message or lesson that the author wants readers to learn from a story. It's what the story teaches us about life.

Vocabulary Bank

greed - wanting more than you need	wisdom - being smart and making good choices
consequence - what happens as a result of an action	moral - a lesson about right and wrong
pride - thinking too highly of yourself	weakness - a part of you that is not strong

1. Read about King Midas: King Midas loved gold so much that he wished everything he touched would turn to gold. When his wish came true, even his food and daughter turned to gold! What is the theme of this story?

Being greedy can cause problems

Gold is very valuable

Kings are powerful

Magic is real

2. Read about Achilles' Heel: Achilles was a great warrior who was almost impossible to defeat. His mother had dipped him in magic water as a baby, but she held him by his heel, so that spot stayed weak. In the end, he was defeated when an arrow hit his heel. What is the theme of this story?

Everyone has a weakness

Arrows are dangerous weapons

Mothers should be careful

Warriors are brave

3. Which of these are themes you might find in fables and myths? (Check all that apply)

Hard work pays off

Don't judge others by how they look

The weather is nice today

Honesty is the best policy