Theme is an important element to any piece of literature. The Common Core wants students to be able to identify themes and pick out details from the text to support their choices. There are many major and minor themes prevalent in this story. One prominent theme of Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry is the importance of family. Cassie is well aware of the importance of family throughout the book, and there are several instances when Cassie, or other characters, talk about family and what it means to them.
Cassie and Stacey are surprised when Jeremy says he doesn't like his siblings. To the Logans, family is family, and is more important than anything else.
Big Ma tells Cassie about the past. Cassie has heard these stories before, but still wants to hear about her family.
During the time of Reconstruction, southern soldiers attacked the Morrison home. His mother got him away from the violence, but she and the rest of his family were killed. Mr. Morrison forced himself to remember. Now he has found a new family.
Other possible themes and motifs to look for and discuss:
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Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that identifies recurring themes in Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. Illustrate instances of each theme and write a short description below each cell.
Involve your class by pausing at key moments in the text to ask students what themes are emerging and why. Encourage students to cite specific words, actions, or events that support their ideas, helping them connect evidence to the theme.
Create a visible anchor chart where students can add examples of themes as they appear in the story. This collective tool helps students visualize patterns and strengthens their ability to notice and support themes.
Have students discuss in pairs or groups what themes they see and what evidence they find. Peer conversations often spark new insights and help students build confidence in analyzing literature.
Ask students to write a short paragraph relating a theme from the book to their own experiences. Personal connections make abstract themes more relatable and memorable for students.
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry explores major themes like the importance of family, racism and prejudice, injustice, community, personal strength, and land as a sign of independence. These themes are woven throughout the characters’ experiences and struggles.
Students can identify themes by looking for recurring ideas, character actions, and key events in the story. For example, noticing how family supports each other or how characters respond to injustice can reveal important themes.
The importance of family is central because the Logan family’s unity helps them face racism and hardship. The story shows how love, support, and shared values empower them to stand up against adversity.
Examples include Cassie seeking comfort from her family, Big Ma sharing family stories, and the Logans protecting each other from harm. Mr. Morrison also finds a new sense of family with the Logans after losing his own.
Teachers can guide students to identify a theme, choose story events that illustrate it, and create storyboard cells with images and descriptions. This helps students visually organize and explain the theme’s significance.