Analyzing Theme in Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes

Activity Overview

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 Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes. 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.

Teachers may also increase the amount of themes they want students to illustrate as a way to differentiate.

Examples of Themes in Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes

Peace

Sadako contracts leukemia when she is just two years old, as a result of war. Sadako’s story is almost like a plea for peace and anti-violence.

Family

Sadako’s family is by her side throughout everything. They have a strong sense of togetherness, tradition, and respect.

Hope and Optimism

Sadako continues to hope for recovery, even as she gets sicker and sicker. She continues to fold the cranes until she is physically unable to do so.

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Template and Class Instructions

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Due Date:

Objective: Create a storyboard that identifies 2 recurring themes in Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes. Illustrate instances of each theme and write a short description below each cell.

Student Instructions:

Click "Start Assignment".
Identify the themes from Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes you wish to include and write them in the headings.
Create an image for an example that represents this theme using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
Write a short description of each of the examples.
Save and exit when you're done.

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Lesson Plan Reference

Grade Level 4-6

Difficulty Level 3 (Developing to Mastery)

Type of Assignment Individual

Type of Activity: Themes, Symbols & Motifs

Common Core Standards

[ELA-Literacy/RL/6/2] Determine a theme or central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments
[ELA-Literacy/RL/4/2] Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text; summarize the text.
[ELA-Literacy/RL/5/2] Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text, including how characters in a story or drama respond to challenges or how the speaker in a poem reflects upon a topic; summarize the text.

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Rubric

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Themes

Create a storyboard that identifies recurring themes in the story. Illustrate instances of each and write a short description that explains the example's significance.

	Proficient	Emerging	Beginning
Identify Theme(s)	All themes are correctly identified as important recurring topics or messages in the story.	Some themes are correctly identified, but others are missing or do not make sense with the story.	No themes are correctly identified.
Examples	All examples support the identified themes. Descriptions clearly say why examples are significant.	Most examples fit the identified themes. Descriptions say why examples are significant.	Most examples do not fit the identified themes. Descriptions are unclear.
Depiction	Storyboard cells clearly show connection with the themes and help with understanding.	Most storyboard cells help to show the themes, but some storyboard cells are difficult to understand.	Storyboard cells do not help in understanding the themes.