What is Theme Development?
Theme is the central message or lesson about life that an author wants readers to understand. Unlike a topic (one word like "friendship"), a theme is a complete statement about life (like "True friends support each other through difficult times"). Fifth graders need to understand how themes develop through characters, setting, and plot events.
On Florida's FAST assessment, students must identify themes and explain how different story elements work together to develop those themes.
Key Vocabulary
Topic: The subject in one word (friendship, courage, family)
Theme: A complete message about life the author wants you to learn
Theme Development: How the theme is built and revealed throughout the story
Stated Theme: When the theme is directly told to readers
Implied Theme: When readers must figure out the theme from clues
Activities to Try at Home
📚 "So What?" Conversations
After reading together or discussing a book your child is reading, ask the "So What?" question:
- "What happened in the story?" (summary)
- "So what? What is the author trying to teach us about life?"
- "Can this lesson apply to your own life? How?"
Example: "The character worked hard and won the race." So what? "The author wants us to know that hard work pays off."
🎬 Movie Theme Hunt
After watching a movie together, discuss theme development:
- "What is this movie's topic in one word?" (courage, friendship, family)
- "What message about that topic does the movie teach?" (Theme)
- "How did the main character change, and what does that change tell us?"
- "Did the setting (where/when) help develop the message? How?"
📖 Theme Trackers
While reading a chapter book, keep a "Theme Tracker" notebook:
- Beginning: What hints at the theme early on?
- Middle: What events develop the theme?
- End: What confirms or reveals the theme?
This shows your child that themes develop gradually, not all at once.
🔍 Character Change = Theme Clue
The easiest way to find theme is to look at how the main character changes:
- "How was the character at the beginning?"
- "How are they different at the end?"
- "What caused them to change?"
- "What did they learn? That's usually the theme!"
Questions to Ask While Reading
- "What is this story really about - not just the plot, but the message?"
- "How is the main character different at the end than at the beginning?"
- "What lesson did the character learn? Is that the theme?"
- "How did what happened in the story teach that lesson?"
- "Could this message apply to people in real life, not just this story?"
- "Have you learned a similar lesson in your own life?"
Parent Tip: Topic vs. Theme
Many students confuse topic and theme. An easy way to help:
Topic = one word (friendship)
Theme = a complete sentence about that topic (True friends support each other through hard times.)
If your child gives a one-word answer for theme, ask: "That's the topic. What is the message the author is teaching us about that topic?"
Common Themes in Fifth Grade Literature
Themes About Self
- Believing in yourself leads to success
- People can change and grow
- Accepting who you are brings happiness
- Facing fears makes you stronger
Themes About Others
- True friends support each other
- Kindness can change someone's life
- Working together achieves more than working alone
- Judging others unfairly causes harm
Suggested Books for Theme Discussion
- "Wonder" by R.J. Palacio - Themes: acceptance, kindness, seeing beyond appearances
- "Hatchet" by Gary Paulsen - Themes: survival, self-reliance, resilience
- "Bridge to Terabithia" by Katherine Paterson - Themes: friendship, imagination, coping with loss
- "The One and Only Ivan" by Katherine Applegate - Themes: freedom, hope, keeping promises
- "Number the Stars" by Lois Lowry - Themes: courage, sacrifice, doing what's right
- "Esperanza Rising" by Pam Munoz Ryan - Themes: resilience, family, adapting to change
Informacion para Padres (Spanish Summary)
Que es el tema? El tema es el mensaje central o leccion sobre la vida que el autor quiere que los lectores entiendan. Es diferente del topico (una palabra) - el tema es un mensaje completo.
Topico vs. Tema:
- Topico: Una palabra - "amistad," "valor," "familia"
- Tema: Un mensaje completo - "Los verdaderos amigos se apoyan en tiempos dificiles"
Preguntas para hacer:
- "Que mensaje quiere ensenarnos el autor?"
- "Como cambio el personaje principal?"
- "Que leccion aprendio el personaje? Ese es probablemente el tema."
Consejo: El cambio del personaje principal a menudo revela el tema. Pregunte como era el personaje al principio y como es diferente al final.