Grade 6 English Language Arts | FL B.E.S.T. Standards: ELA.6.R.1.2, ELA.6.R.2.2
ELA.6.R.1.2: Analyze the development of stated or implied theme(s) throughout a literary text.
ELA.6.R.2.2: Analyze the central idea(s), its development, and the supporting details in a text.
By the end of this unit, students will be able to:
| Term | Definition | Student-Friendly Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Theme | A universal message or insight about life conveyed in a literary text | The life lesson or message the author wants you to take away from a story, poem, or play |
| Central Idea | The most important point the author makes in an informational text | The main message or argument the author is making in a nonfiction text |
| Stated Theme/Idea | A theme or central idea directly expressed in the text | When the author or narrator tells you the message directly |
| Implied Theme/Idea | A theme or central idea suggested through details and evidence | When you have to figure out the message from clues the author provides |
| Supporting Details | Specific information that develops or supports the theme/central idea | Facts, examples, and evidence that help prove or develop the main message |
| Textual Evidence | Direct quotes or specific references from the text | The exact words from the passage that support your answer |
| Theme (Literary) | Central Idea (Informational) | |
|---|---|---|
| Text Type | Fiction, poetry, drama | Articles, essays, speeches, textbooks |
| Purpose | Universal message about life/human nature | Main point or argument the author makes |
| How Developed | Through character, plot, conflict, setting | Through facts, examples, evidence, reasons |
| Example | "True courage means standing up for others even at personal cost" | "Climate change is causing widespread coral reef damage" |
| Day | Focus | Activities |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Theme vs. Central Idea | Distinguish between literary and informational texts; introduce vocabulary. Use Student Concept Worksheet. |
| 2 | Analyzing Theme Development | Trace theme through character change, conflict, and resolution in a short story. |
| 3 | Finding Central Ideas | Identify central ideas and supporting details in an informational article. |
| 4 | Citing Evidence | Practice selecting and citing textual evidence. Complete Practice Worksheet. |
| 5 | Assessment | Administer FAST Format Quiz. Review and reteach as needed. |
Teach students this formula for literary texts: Topic + Author's Message About It = Theme
Example: Courage + Standing up for others matters even when risky = "True courage means defending others even at personal cost"
This helps students move from identifying a topic to articulating a complete theme statement.
For informational texts, use a pyramid graphic organizer:
Top: Central Idea (one sentence)
Middle: Key supporting details (3-4 points)
Base: Specific evidence/examples for each detail
Students work from base to top, building understanding of how details support the central idea.
For theme analysis, create a three-column chart: Beginning | Event/Conflict | End. Students track how the main character changes and what they learn. The lesson learned often points directly to the theme.
After reading, ask: "If you could talk to the author, what would they say is the most important message?" For literary texts, this reveals theme. For informational texts, this reveals central idea. Follow up with: "What evidence from the text supports this?"
Correction: Theme applies to literary texts and conveys a universal message about life. Central idea applies to informational texts and states the author's main point or argument. The text type determines which term to use.
Correction: Topic is one word (friendship). Summary tells what happened. Theme is a complete statement about life's meaning (True friends sacrifice for each other). Require students to write themes as complete sentences.
Correction: While the first sentence sometimes introduces the topic, the central idea often develops throughout the text. Teach students to read the entire passage before determining central idea.
Correction: Complex texts often support multiple valid themes. Accept any well-supported theme interpretation as long as students can cite textual evidence.
On the FAST assessment, theme and central idea questions typically ask students to:
Key Strategy: Teach students to identify whether the passage is literary or informational first, then apply the appropriate analysis approach.