Several themes are present in the book. Students can pick a theme to explore, and should support their choice with specific details or events from the text. One prominent theme is “fairness”. The Camel was not being fair to the other animals because they had to work harder to make up for his laziness. The Djinn thought it was fair to give the Camel his hump to punish him for not working.
Example 1:
The Man tells the Dog, Ox, and Horse that they have to do more work because the Camel refuses to do anything. This is not fair.
Example 2:
The Horse asks if it is right for someone to be lazy and not help with work. The Djinn says that it is not fair for someone to act that way, and he ends up giving the Camel his hump because the Camel was not being fair.
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Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that identifies a theme in "How the Camel Got His Hump". Illustrate examples and write a short description below each cell.
Invite students to share their thoughts on fairness in the story and relate it to their own lives. Use open-ended questions to encourage participation and deeper thinking.
Have students work in pairs or small groups to list situations from the story and their experiences that show fair or unfair actions. This helps connect the theme to real-world scenarios.
Draw two columns labeled Fair and Unfair on the board. Ask students to add examples from the story and their ideas. This visual aid supports understanding and comparison.
Assign roles and let students perform short skits based on scenes from the book where fairness is important. Acting out helps solidify comprehension and makes learning interactive.
Ask students to write a few sentences about a time they experienced fairness or unfairness. This personal reflection deepens their connection to the theme.
The main theme of 'How the Camel Got His Hump' is fairness. The story explores how the Camel's refusal to work is unfair to the other animals, and how he is given his hump as a consequence, showing that fairness involves everyone sharing responsibilities.
Students can identify a theme by looking for repeated ideas or lessons in the story. For example, noticing how the characters react to the Camel’s laziness helps students recognize that fairness and responsibility are key themes.
Examples of fairness include the other animals having to work more because of the Camel, and the Djinn giving the Camel his hump as a fair punishment for not helping. These events highlight the importance of everyone doing their part.
A helpful activity is to create a storyboard where students pick a theme, find three supporting examples from the text, illustrate each, and write a brief description. This visual approach reinforces understanding of the story's themes.
Teaching themes like fairness helps young students develop empathy, cooperation, and a sense of justice. These lessons encourage positive social behavior in and out of the classroom.