Learning Resource Type

Classroom Resource

Literary Elements and Techniques | Theme

Subject Area

English Language Arts

Grade(s)

3, 4

Overview

Learn how to identify theme in a literary work in this short animated video from WNET.

    English Language Arts (2021) Grade(s): 3

    ELA21.3.22

    Describe literary elements within a story, including setting, plot, characters, and themes.

    Unpacked Content

    UP:ELA21.3.22

    Vocabulary

    • Describe
    • Literary elements
    • Story
    • Setting
    • Plot
    • Characters
    • Themes

    Knowledge

    Students know:
    • Literary elements within a story include the setting, plot, characters, and themes.
    • Setting is when and where a story takes place.
    • Plot is the main events of a story (often referred to as the beginning, middle, and end of a story).
    • Characters are any person, animal, or figure that affect the plot.
    • Theme is the main, recurring idea in a text.

    Skills

    Students are able to:
    • Identify and describe the literary elements, including setting, plot, characters, and theme, within the text.

    Understanding

    Students understand that:
    • Identifying and describing literary elements within a story will help in comprehending the text.
    English Language Arts (2021) Grade(s): 4

    ELA21.4.21

    Explain how relevant details support the implied or explicit main idea of a text.

    Unpacked Content

    UP:ELA21.4.21

    Vocabulary

    • Implied main idea
    • Explicit main idea
    • Relevant details

    Knowledge

    Students know:
    • The main idea is the most important idea presented in the text.
    • Sometimes an author will clearly state the main idea, while other times an author will merely suggest the main idea.
    • The supporting details explain the main idea or provide more information about the main idea.

    Skills

    Students are able to:
    • Identify the implied or explicit main idea of a text.
    • Use relevant details to support the main idea of a text.

    Understanding

    Students understand that:
    • Most texts have a main idea, or most important message, and supporting details, which provide more information about the main idea.
    • An author can choose to state the main idea in the text or provide clues through details in the text to imply the main idea.
    English Language Arts (2021) Grade(s): 4

    ELA21.4.21a

    Determine the central idea or theme of a text.

    Unpacked Content

    UP:ELA21.4.21a

    Vocabulary

    • Central idea
    • Theme

    Knowledge

    • Theme is the main, recurring idea in a text.

    Skills

    • Determine the central idea or theme of a text.

    Understanding

    • The central idea or theme of a text is conveyed through details in the text.
    Link to Resource

    CR Resource Type

    Audio/Video

    Resource Provider

    PBS
    Accessibility

    Accessibility

    Video resources: includes closed captioning or subtitles
    License

    License Type

    Custom
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