Explain that the themes of a story are the central messages or overall ideas the author wants to convey to the readers. Themes are not stated directly. The author shows the themes by what the characters do, say, and think; how the characters interact with each other; and where the story takes place. Many stories have themes about overcoming obstacles and challenges, family relationships, friendship, and growing up. For example, one of the themes of The Three Little Pigs is overcoming obstacles and challenges and one of the themes of Cinderella is family relationships. Have students identify patterns or repetitions in the ways that Catherine interacted with David or how Catherine’s mom felt about David. Encourage students to use questions, such as these, to identify the theme in a story: How did Catherine’s mom respond when Catherine complained about having to take care of David? Who do you feel for in the story? Why Does Catherine seem to learn anything through her experience? Have students brainstorm possible themes in Rules: Sibling relationships Making friends Accepting differences Independent Practice: Ask: What are ways we can share our opinions about something that happened in a text? Discuss. Discuss the Grade 5 Opinion Writing Rubric: Introduce the topic clearly and state your opinion. Create a way to organize the reasons to logically support your opinion. Provide logically ordered reasons that are supported by facts and details. Link your opinion and reasons using words, phrases, or clauses, such as consequently or specifically. Provide a concluding statement or section that is related to the opinion. Use correct grammar and spelling. Model how to use the Grade 5 Opinion Writing Frame (included at the end of the lesson) with a different question about the story. Ask: What do you think Ryan really felt about David? Ryan’s feelings about David Opinion: Ryan felt that David was different from him and that it was alright to make fun of him. Ryan liked to show off in front of other kids.
topic or state the opinion. opinion, and “hooks” the reader. Organization Lacks organization of reasons and support. Has some organization but reasons are unclear or illogical. Has an organizational structure that lists the reasons for the opinion in a logical way. Has an organizational structure that lists the reasons for the opinion and “chunks” supporting details in a logical way. Provides support using details from text Does not include support for opinion. Includes little support for opinion using few or no details from the text. Includes adequate support for opinion using details from the text. Includes ample support for opinion using details from the text. Uses linking words Does not include use of linking words. Includes use of few linking words to connect opinion and reasons. Includes use of some linking to connect opinion and reasons. Includes use of several linking words to connect opinion and reasons. Provides conclusion Does not include a concluding sentence/section. Closing sentence/section is not related to the opinion. Includes a concluding sentence/section about the opinion. Includes a concluding sentence/section that restates the opinion. Uses conventions and grammar Contains many errors in conventions and grammar, impeding the ability to understand the written work. Contains several errors in conventions and grammar. Contains few errors in conventions (capitalization, punctuation, and spelling) and grammar (complete sentences with varied sentence structures). Contains no errors in conventions (capitalization, punctuation, and spelling) and grammar (complete sentences with varied sentence structures).