Finding common themes in literature is an important skill for growing readers.  I use interactive theme posters to help my students practice this skill in my classroom.

At class meeting and during Reading Workshop mini-lessons, my students are treated to many interactive read-aloud experiences. Reading aloud to students allows them to experience a variety of quality texts in different genres. In a typical read aloud, the teacher reads and the students listen. However, during our interactive read aloud, I pause at significant points, ask students for comments, and invite brief discussion.

Throughout the year, we explore common themes found in the texts I choose to read aloud. My class has already chosen 6 themes to add to our collection so far this year. They are: Believe in Yourself, Accept Others' Differences, Don't Be Afraid to Try New Things, Honesty is the Best Policy, and Always be Kind to Others.

Every time we read a book that we think fits into one of themes, I print out a color copy of the book cover and add it to a specific theme poster in our classroom (see pictures below). I have found Google Images to be the best place to get quick copies of the front covers of the books. To make the best use of space in my classroom, I use the cupboards in the back of my classroom to display the theme posters.

Once students are comfortable identifying themes in literature, I invite them to also submit books they read during Independent Reading Time that they feel fit into one of the thematic categories. This is good practice for my students since they are required to respond to paired reading selections on our state test by finding a connection or common theme between the two texts.

Here is a link to a website with good ideas for read-aloud books that correspond to common themes: Books for Thematic Read-Alouds

Please share ideas about ways you study themes in your classroom!

Message Edited by balbery on 11-05-2006 09:07 AM