Theme Passages, Finding the Theme Activities, Doodle Notes for Teaching Theme
- PDF
Description
Learning how to identify a story’s theme is a critical reading skill. Students are often asked to find the theme when reading passages. That’s why it is so important to intentionally provide theme lessons and activities to help students understand how to find theme while reading.
This mini-unit is designed to just that! It combines doodle notes where students sketch notes about how to determine the theme AND actual learning activities to help students improve their reading skills. It’s fun and educational! First, students DOODLE and then they DO activities to help them showcase their learning!
Here’s how it works: First, students will complete a highly engaging Doodle Page filled with notes about theme. They’ll learn what a theme is, how to determine the theme, and what the theme is NOT when reading. Then, they’ll complete 5 activities to help them showcase their understanding of the reading skill. They’ll create a theme doodle comic, write the ending to a theme passage, and read 3 different theme reading passages. This mini-unit is not only effective in helping students understand how to find the theme, it’s also engaging and fun!
This resource is completely customizable, too! First, the two types of doodle notes included (filled-in and guided notes versions) make it easy to differentiate instruction. Then, there are two instructional versions included in this resource! You can either put together a fun student packet with theme worksheets, or you can set up 5 learning stations. This way, you can create the very best learning experience for your students!
This 2-3 day mini-unit is not only effective in helping students understand how to identify the theme while reading, it’s also incredibly engaging and fun!
Skills addressed in this mini-unit:
Students will…
- Understand that theme is a phrase or clause that can apply to multiple texts
- Use key details in a text to determine theme
- Read and analyze fiction texts
- Complete graphic organizers to showcase understanding
- Work collaboratively and independently
About the “Doodle” Notes:
First, students will learn about theme by completing a set of doodle notes. Doodle notes are color-it-in, fill-it-in, and doodle-encouraging note sheets. They’re not only visually engaging, they’re also effective in helping students increase their focus and ability to recall information. Plus…they’re really fun! In this resource, there are 2 options of Doodle Notes:
- Option 1: All the notes are filled in. With this option students will color, embellish, and add doodles to the notes as you review the information with the class.
- Option 2: Some of the notes are filled in and students need to fill in the remainder of the notes (like guided notes). Students will work to fill in the notes as you teach the content.
About the “Do” Activities
After students complete their Doodle Notes it’s time for them to “Do” some fun activities. The activities are designed around lessons to help students practice the skill of finding the theme. There are five activities in all:
- Theme Doodle Comic: Students will write and sketch comic based on a theme. This doodle activity encourages students to think about theme as they plan out their comic. The completed comics are great to share!
- Finish the Story: Students will write their own theme passage. The goods news is that part of the passages is already written! It will be their job to finish the story in a way that helps to teach a lesson.
- 3 Reading Passages: Students read 3 different reading passage. After reading each passage, students complete different tasks to make inferences.
This detailed “Doodle and Do” resource includes:
- A detailed teacher overview of the resource
- Lesson Plans – Instructional Option #1 – Gradual Release of Responsibility (student packets)
- Lesson Plans – Instructional Option #2 – Learning Stations
- Doodle Notes – Finding the Theme (all filled-in)
- Doodle Notes – Finding the Theme (guided notes)
- Theme Doodle Comic Activity Worksheet
- Finish the Story Worksheet
- 3 Practice Reading Passages
- Learning Stations Cards (with student directions – to use if you choose to set up learning stations)
- All Instructional Keys
Other Doodle and Do Resources…
- Finding the Main Idea - Doodle and Do
- 5 Nonfiction Text Structure Mini-Units
- How to Study for a Test Doodle Notes and 5 Learning Stations
- Writing Responses with Text-Based Evidence Doodle Notes and 5 Learning Stations
Or, you may also like…
- Narrative Writing Unit
- Literary Devices Bundle - 6 fun mini-units: Conflict, Irony, Theme, Mood, Characterization, Flashbacks and Foreshadowing
- Figurative Language Unit
- Emergency Sub Plans - No copies needed!
Following is Fun!
Get the inside scoop on all store discounts, free products, and product launches. Just Get the inside scoop on all store discounts, free products, and product launches. Just click the green “Follow Me” star under my store name on this page or click the green “Follow Me” star on my store homepage.
Let’s Stay in Touch!
*** Click HERE to receive the Brain Waves Instruction Newsletter filled with exclusive FREEBIES and Teaching Tips!
Thanks!
Brain Waves Instruction
Doodle notes is a trademarked term used with permission. Please visit doodlenotes.org for more information.
