| Lesson start ideas | Give a creative idea how to begin a lesson |
| Which subject | English |
| What age group | Year or Grade 6 |
| What topic | Theme |
| Quantity | 1 |
| Any other preferences |
To discuss and understand the concept of themes in literature.
Begin by asking students to share their favorite movie or book. Encourage discussion by asking why they liked it. This will lead to the realization that most stories have a message or a main idea - this is called the theme.
Provide a definition of theme, such as "the central topic or idea explored in a literary work." Use examples of well-known stories to reinforce this idea - for instance, the theme of Harry Potter might be the importance of friendship.
Discuss how themes are identified. Some elements that might suggest a theme include:
Have students analyze a short story, poem, or even a popular song. Together, brainstorm potential themes, and then work together to identify the best one and provide evidence from the text to support it. This can be done as a group, in pairs, or individually.
Summarize the main points of the lesson and emphasize the importance of identifying themes, both for better understanding of literature and for personal growth. Encourage students to continue to seek out new stories and analyze their themes.