A theme is a central idea, subject, or message in a story. Many stories have more than one important theme. For this activity, students will identify and illustrate the main theme in Anansi the Spider and support the theme with evidence from the text. One theme is the importance of working together to get the job done. Teachers may choose to assign themes, or have students identify the lessons or themes themselves.
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Due Date:
Objective: Create a storyboard that identifies a recurring theme in Anansi the Spider. Illustrate an example and write a short description.
Student Instructions:
Begin by asking students what teamwork means and why it might be important in stories and real life. Connect their responses to Anansi the Spider to set the stage for deeper exploration.
Encourage students to look for moments in the text where characters work together to solve problems. This helps them practice close reading and strengthens their understanding of the theme.
Show students how to select a scene, draw a simple illustration, and write a description that highlights the theme of working together. Use a whiteboard or projector for a visual demonstration.
Offer sentence starters and brainstorming time so each student can choose a scene that best represents teamwork in the story. Circulate to provide feedback and encouragement.
Let students display their completed storyboards around the classroom. Invite them to walk around, view each other's work, and discuss how each scene shows the theme of working together.
The main theme of Anansi the Spider is the importance of working together to solve problems and achieve goals. The story shows how cooperation and teamwork help Anansi and his family succeed.
Students can identify a theme by looking for recurring ideas or lessons in the story. They should pay attention to what the characters learn, how they solve problems, and any repeated messages about values like teamwork or cleverness.
An example of teamwork in Anansi the Spider is when Anansi's sons use their unique skills to rescue him from danger. Each son contributes in a different way, showing that working together is essential.
Other possible themes in Anansi the Spider include using intelligence to solve problems, the value of family, and the importance of helping others.
A simple activity is to have students create a storyboard that identifies a theme from the story. They can draw an example scene and write a short description explaining how it shows the theme.