Direct Instruction Lesson Plan Template

Grade Level/Subject:
Central Focus: Recognizing the themes in stories.
Fourth Grade Reading
Essential Standard/Common Core Objective:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.4.2
Date submitted: 10/24
Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the Date taught: 10/24

text; summarize the text.

Daily Lesson Objective:
Students will identify the theme in one story and compare it to the theme from another story.
21st Century Skills:
Academic Language Demand (Language Function and Vocabulary):
Collaborating
Theme
Compassion
Conclusion
Prior Knowledge:
Students know that a story has a setting and characters.
Theme is the overall message.
Main Idea is what the author wants the audience to understand.

Activity

1. Focus and Review

Description of Activities and Setting

Time

Review theme with the students

Good morning class! We are going to begin our class with a discussion. We
are going to talk about theme. Who can make an educated guess about what
a theme is? A theme is the message, moral or lesson of the story. Sometime
the theme is stated. Sometimes the theme is implied. Themes are very
important to the story and how we can make text to self connections. When
a theme is stated, the author is literally telling us what the overall message is.
If I were telling a story and I started off my story as, This is the story about
how Ms. Turner showed compassion to a lost puppy. I would literally be
telling the audience what the theme of my story is. When the theme is
implied, you have to use the setting and event of the story to find the theme.
You can also look at the main characters of the story. If the theme of the
story is still not jumping out at you, then ask yourself some of these
questions.
What did the characters learn?
How are the main characters feeling?
How are the events in the story impacting the main characters?
After answering these questions you will be gathering text evidence that will
help you draw conclusions to figure out the theme.

15
minutes

2. Statement of Objective
for Student

3. Teacher Input

4. Guided Practice

5. Independent Practice

6. Assessment Methods of
all objectives/skills:

7. Closure

I will identify the theme of A Bad Case of the Stripes or Mufaros

Daughters.
Now that we have reviewed what a theme is and how to find the theme of a
story, you are going to break up into groups. One group will be given
Mufaros Daughters to read and listen to and the other group will be given
A Bad Case of Stripes. As a group you will go through the story you will
need to be listening and jotting down clues that can help you determine
what the theme is. You are going to need your reading notebooks. Each
group will be given one organizer. You are going to need to elect a Writer for
15
the group. This person will be writing the information on the organizer. Make
minutes
sure that you are engaging in your group with academic conversation. I will
divide the class into five groups. When I say go, you are to go quickly and
quietly. I want you to take your reading notebooks with you. You need to
write in your notebooks the information that the writer is writing on the
organizer. Remember that you are reading through your story to find the
theme. Once you are in your groups I need one person from each group to
grab a laptop. Go.
Students will be divided into groups and go to the corresponding area. A
graphic organizer will be given to each group. Each group will watch the
video of their book being read to them. They will fill out the organizer. After
40
20 minutes the two groups that have been working on the same story will
minutes
collaborate together and see if the information they have written on their
organizers matches with the others.
Now we are going to talk about the themes that are present in both books.
Who wants to go first? Who can be the speaker for your group? Lets start
with A Bad Case of Stripes. What was the theme or message from the
story? Was the theme directly stated or was the theme implied? What
15
emotions did you pick up on from Camilla Cream?
minutes
Lets move on the Mufaros Beautiful Daughters. What was the theme or
message from the story? Was the theme directly stated or was the theme
implied? What emotions did you pick up on from Mufaros daughters? How
were the contrasting to each other?
Students will be assessed on the participation and entry into their reading notebooks.
The theme that we have been told from A Bad Case of Stripes is to be who
you are and love who you are. I am going to walk around and give each one
of you a token to take with you. Put this in your pocket or in your book bag.
Do not play with this. Let this be a reminder to not hide behind what you feel
strongly about. Eat your lima beans and be who you are. Now pack up and
line up at the door.
Give each child a bean.

5 minutes

8. Assessment Results of
all objectives/skills:
Targeted Students Modifications/Accommodations:
Students will be working and collaborating in groups to
identify what the theme is for the book they have
been assigned.
Materials/Technology:

Student/Small Group Modifications/Accommodations:

I will be walking around during group work, answering
questions, and providing additional support when needed.

(Include any instructional materials (e.g., worksheets, assessments PowerPoint/Smart Board slides, etc.) needed to implement the lesson at the end of the lesson plan.)

http://www.storylineonline.net/a-bad-case-of-stripes/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXPV35dah8I
4 laptop computers
4 graphic organizers
Reading Notebooks
Pencils
References:
Reflection on lesson: