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 themes in My Side of the Mountain. Teachers may want the students to identify and illustrate 2 themes, one for each cell, or identify one theme, and show two examples of it, one example per cell.
When Sam goes out into the wilderness, he discovers a lot about himself. For example, he discovers that he can survive on his own, and is able to be resourceful and self-sufficient. Sam realizes that he enjoys being independent and feeling grown up.
Sam is alone throughout most of the story, but he is not always lonely. In order to pass the time, Sam talks to the animals and doesn’t realize that he misses people until he encounters a person in his space.
Sam quickly realizes that it is not money that will help him survive, it’s his skills and resourcefulness. Sam relies on his knowledge of nature and what he has researched and learned from others in order to survive in the wilderness.
Sam’s family isn’t worried about him, for they knew approximately where he was headed and that this was something he needed to do. His father even visited him! At the end of the story, when Sam’s family joins him to live in the woods, the readers learn how truly important they are to one another.
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Due Date:
Objective: Create a storyboard that identifies 2 recurring themes in My Side of the Mountain. Illustrate instances of each theme and write a short description below each cell.
Student Instructions:
Begin with an open-ended question about the story’s main message. Encourage students to share their ideas freely about what Sam learns on his journey. This builds engagement and sets a collaborative tone.
Invite students to relate the themes of self-discovery, survival, or family to their own lives. Ask questions like, “Have you ever had to solve a problem on your own?” This deepens understanding and makes the lesson more meaningful.
Display images or storyboards representing key scenes from the book. Point out how each visual links to a specific theme. This supports visual learners and clarifies abstract ideas.
Have students work in small groups to find and illustrate different themes. Let each group present their findings to the class. This fosters teamwork and a variety of perspectives.
Ask students to write a short paragraph about which theme resonated most with them and why. This personal reflection helps solidify learning and connects the story to real-life experiences.
My Side of the Mountain explores several core themes, including self-discovery and growth, survival, loneliness, and the importance of family. Each theme highlights Sam's journey as he learns to rely on himself, faces challenges alone, adapts to the wilderness, and ultimately values his connections with others.
Students can identify themes by looking for repeated ideas, messages, or lessons throughout the story. Ask students to find examples where Sam learns something important, overcomes difficulties, or reflects on his feelings. Using a storyboard to illustrate these moments helps make the themes clear and memorable.
An example of self-discovery in the book is when Sam learns he can survive on his own in the wilderness. He discovers his ability to be resourceful and enjoys his newfound independence, realizing how much he can accomplish by believing in himself.
Survival is a key theme because Sam must use his knowledge, skills, and creativity to live in the wild. The story shows that survival depends more on resourcefulness and adaptability than on money or supplies, teaching readers valuable life lessons about resilience.
Teachers can have students identify two major themes from the book and illustrate examples of each using storyboards. Encourage students to write short descriptions explaining how each scene represents the theme. This activity builds comprehension and analytical skills in a fun, creative way.