Perfect Books to Teach Theme
- simplyaaronni9
- Jun 30
- 3 min read
Theme is what we learn from something or the moral of the story. It's what we "walk away with" after watching, listening, or reading something. Theme is deeply personal and based on personal experiences as well as someone's ability to empathize with other people.
That being said, teaching theme is an essential skill in 5th grade. Of course, we can teach it using passages and physical worksheets, but what about using picture books? Look below for a few picture books that can help you teach this essential skill.
The Giving Tree
In "The Giving Tree," a young boy has a loving tree that watches him over the years. The boy takes and takes, while the tree gives and gives. By the end, the boy is no longer younger and the tree doesn't look the same, but the lesson is timeless.
Possible Themes:
Value the people/things that love you.
Don't take things fore granted.
Appreciate those who sacrifice for you.
Empathy is important.
Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters
Two sisters are the daughter of Mufaro, but they are not the same. One is vain and selfish, while the other is kind and selfless. When they hear the King needs a wife, they both seek his hand, but on the way there they face obstacles that tell the King who should and should not be his wife.
Possible Themes:
Being humble can bring you good things.
Good karma is important
Don't be arrogant; something bad could happen.
Be kind, even when no one is watching.
The Golden Rule
Thank You, Mr. Falker
Our main character, who is also the author, is a sweet girl that does not like reading because she has dyslexia and struggles to do so. She's frustrated with reading until she meets the wonderful Mr. Falker. Through tragedy, the girl learns that there is beauty in the sweet taste of words.
Possible Themes:
Never give up.
Your goals are worth trying for.
Hard times right now can lead to success later on.
A good teacher can change a life.
The True Story of the Three Little Pigs
This was my favorite book when I was in kindergarten! Everyone knows the story of the three little pigs, but all the other versions are either from the perspective of the pigs or is biased towards the pigs. This book tells the wolves side and his perspective is one you won't see coming.
Possible Themes:
Be careful who you listen to.
Everyone has their own opinion.
Honesty is the best policy.
To have a friend, you have to be a friend.
The Bracelet
The Bracelet is the story of a girl that's struggling with the reality of going to a Japanese internment camp during World War II. She worries about her family and home, about her old friends and if they hated her now. Happiness comes when a friend goes out of their way to give her a bracelet. This one act of kindness makes an awful time, just a little bit better.
Possible Themes:
Kindness can make the hardest situations easier to bear.
The simplest gestures can mean so much.
Treat people the way you want to be treated.
Be kind to those going through hard times.
Don't give up, even if you're scared.
Fly Away Home
Fly Away Home is the unlikely story of a boy who lives in an airport fulltime with his dad. We see what it's like being homeless from his perspective, as well as the pains they go to to make sure that they aren't found out. This book is a sobering look into the hidden lives of the people around us and teaches us a valuable lesson.
Possible Themes:
Appreciate what you have.
Count your blessings.
Treat people the way you want to be treated.
Don't judge a book by its cover.
A good attitude can get you far in life.
Theme is an essential fifth grade skill and, hopefully, finding the perfect picture book was easier after reading this post!
-Sweet Penelope Resources
Perfect books to teach theme
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