A theme is a central idea, subject, or message in a story. Many stories have more than one important theme, and it helps inform the story. For this activity, students will identify and illustrate the themes in Calico Girl. Teachers may want the students to identify and illustrate 3 themes, one for each cell, or identify one theme, and show three examples of it, one example per cell.
Callie is a very smart girl, and education is important to her and her family.
Callie wonders what it feels like to be truly free. She loses Joseph to the slave trade, and she is somewhat thankful that Little Charlie will never have to know what it’s like to be enslaved.
Callie’s family is very close. Even though Joseph isn’t her brother by blood, he was a brother to her.
Hampton saves a drowning soldier even though he knows it is a huge risk.
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Due Date:
Objective: Create a storyboard that identifies recurring themes in Calico Girl. Illustrate instances of each theme and write a short description below each cell.
Student Instructions:
Engage students in a meaningful conversation about themes by creating a safe space for all voices. Encourage respectful listening and thoughtful responses to build deeper understanding and empathy.
Ask questions like, “Why do you think freedom is important to Callie?” or “How does courage show up in the story?” to prompt critical thinking and personal connection.
Explain that everyone should listen respectfully, take turns, and support ideas with evidence from the book. This helps students feel valued and heard.
Display student storyboards or theme charts as visual prompts during the discussion to spark ideas and keep students focused on the central messages.
Ask students to share personal experiences or examples related to the themes, such as times they showed courage or valued family.
Calico Girl explores several key themes, including education, freedom, family, and courage. Each theme is woven throughout the story to give readers a deeper understanding of the characters’ experiences and values.
Students can identify themes by looking for recurring ideas or messages in the story. To illustrate them, they can create a storyboard with scenes, characters, and items that represent each theme, then write a short description explaining their choices.
An example of the education theme is how Callie and her family value learning. Callie’s intelligence and her family’s support for her education highlight its importance in their lives.
Freedom is central to Calico Girl because Callie’s journey is shaped by her longing for freedom—for herself and her loved ones. The story examines what it means to be truly free, especially in the context of slavery and its aftermath.
The best way is to use storyboard activities where students identify, illustrate, and describe examples of themes from the book. This visual and written approach helps young learners engage with the material and deepen their understanding.