Themes, symbols, and motifs come alive when you use a storyboard. In this activity, students will identify a theme from the book and support it with evidence from the text.
One theme is family. The main characters are brother and sister, and Saxonberg is their grandfather. Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler becomes their honorary grandmother.
Three examples of evidence for this theme are:
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Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that identifies a theme in Mixed-Up Files. Illustrate examples and write a short description below each cell.
Encourage students to connect the theme of family to their own experiences by prompting them with open-ended questions and examples from the book. Fostering personal connections makes literary analysis more engaging and memorable.
Start by asking students, "What does family mean to you?" or "Have you ever felt like part of a team?" This invites everyone to share and sets a welcoming tone for deeper discussion.
Guide students to identify scenes where characters support each other or solve problems together. Use quotes and illustrations from the book to make examples clear.
Prompt students to reflect on similarities and differences between the story’s family and their own lives. Making personal connections deepens understanding and builds empathy.
Invite students to draw or write about a time they felt like part of a family or team, inspired by the book. This solidifies the theme and gives every student a chance to express their perspective.
Family is a central theme in The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. The story explores how Claudia and Jamie, siblings, grow closer and form their own 'family team' during their adventure, and how relationships with adults like Mrs. Frankweiler and their grandfather deepen the sense of family.
Students can identify a theme by looking for repeated ideas and character interactions throughout the book. For example, they can find scenes where Claudia and Jamie support each other or where family connections are highlighted, and use these as evidence of the family theme.
Examples include Claudia and Jamie becoming a team, Mrs. Frankweiler acting as an honorary grandmother, and Saxonberg being their real grandfather. These moments show how family bonds are formed and strengthened throughout their journey.
To create a storyboard, choose a theme, find three scenes that show it, and draw or describe each one in a separate cell. Add short captions explaining how each scene relates to the theme. This helps students visually connect evidence from the text to key ideas.
Understanding themes helps students analyze characters, recognize important messages, and connect the story to their own lives. It also supports critical thinking and comprehension skills, making reading more meaningful and engaging.