“Everything is so linear, but this makes me think diagonally!” ~ a student describing Byrdseed.TV

Indiana ELA Standard: 6.RC.2

Determine how a theme or central idea of a work of literature is conveyed through particular details; provide a detailed, objective summary of the text. (E)

Identifying A Story’s Theme
Identifying A Story’s Theme
Teach your young students to identify the moral or the theme of a story.
Gr 1-8
A Character’s Challenges and Changes
A Character’s Challenges and Changes
Your 1st and 2nd graders will analyze how a character responded to a challenge.
Gr 1, 2, 3, 6
Writing Sample: The Fall of the House of Usher
Writing Sample: The Fall of the House of Usher
A passage from “The Fall of the House of Usher” to use as a mentor text, discussion starter, or writing prompt.
Gr 1-8
Analyze Character Change with Depth and Complexity
Analyze Character Change with Depth and Complexity
Your students will use Depth and Complexity to note how a character’s main trait changes across a story.
Gr 1-8
Elements of The Fantasy Genre
Elements of The Fantasy Genre
Every fantasy story has patterns hiding underneath the magic. Once your students see the elements, they’ll spot them everywhere — and use them in their own writing.
Gr 1-8
Romeo and Juliet Summary
Romeo and Juliet Summary
Romeo and Juliet in just about five minutes.
Gr 1-8
“Much Ado About Nothing” Summary
“Much Ado About Nothing” Summary
Shakespeare’s Much Ado summarized in just five minutes!
Gr 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Twelfth Night Summary
Twelfth Night Summary
An animated summary of Shakespeare’s utterly ridiculous “Twelfth Night.”
Gr 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Hamlet Summary
Hamlet Summary
It’s Hamlet in just about five minutes!
Gr 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Nothing could possibly go wrong with a love potion on the loose!
Gr 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Writing Summaries in Haiku
Writing Summaries in Haiku
Let’s write a summary. A very short summary. With VERY strict rules.
Gr 1-8
Think Like An Economist
Think Like An Economist
How would an economist read Goldilocks? How would they see a rainforest? How would they study the American Revolution?
Gr 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Add Layers To Direct Instruction
Add Layers To Direct Instruction
Take direction instruction beyond a monotonous practice of the same skill over and over.
Gr 1-8
Better Stories Part 3: Literary Themes
Better Stories Part 3: Literary Themes
A typical student narrative includes plot and characters but lacks a larger idea to hold it all together. This is where a lesson on themes comes in…
Gr 1-8