Literary Elements and Techniques | Theme

Learning Resource Type

Classroom Resource

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.

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.

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.

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.

CR Resource Type

Audio/Video

Resource Provider

PBS

License Type

Custom

Accessibility

Video resources: includes closed captioning or subtitles
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