Activity Overview
Themes, symbols, and motifs come alive when you use a storyboard. In this activity, students will identify a specific theme from "The Treasure of Lemon Brown" and support their choices with details from the text. Using a grid layout and cells with title and description boxes, show scenes from the story that depict the father/son relationships that are represented in it. In the example above, you can see that the theme was about father-son relationships.
"The Treasure of Lemon Brown" Theme Example
Father-Son Relationships
- Greg and his dad
Greg is very angry at his dad because he's been grounded from playing basketball - his passion. Greg runs away, but after meeting Lemon, he rethinks his anger. His dad only wants the best for him.
- Lemon and his son
Lemon's sister raised his son while he traveled and played his music. He learned that his son was killed in the war and that he had kept his dad's harmonica and news clippings with him.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that identifies a theme in "The Treasure of Lemon Brown". Illustrate examples and write a short description below each cell.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify a theme in the story and write it on the row.
- Find three examples of the theme in the text and describe one in each cell.
- Illustrate each example with appropriate characters, scenes, and items.
- Click "Save & Exit" when done.
Lesson Plan Reference
- [ELA-Literacy/RL/7/2] Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text; provide an objective summary of the text
- [ELA-Literacy/RL/8/2] Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including its relationship to the characters, setting, and plot; provide an objective summary of the text
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Identify Theme(s) | All themes are correctly identified and described. | Some themes are correctly identified. | No themes are correctly identified. |
| Examples of Theme(s) | All examples support the identified theme(s). | Most examples fit the identified theme(s). | Most examples do not fit the theme(s). |
| Illustrate Theme | Images clearly show connection with the theme(s). | Some images help to show the theme. | Images do not help in understanding the theme. |
How To Explain the Role of Themes in Development of the Narrative to ELA Students
Introduce the Concept
Introduce the concept of themes and give simple textbook definitions to help the students get familiar with the idea. Explain that themes are the backbone of any story and play a significant role in determining the outcome of the narrative. Teachers can give some simple activities through which students can identify themes present in a text.
Talk About the Stages of the Narrative
Being familiar with the structure of the plot is important as it will help the students understand the development of the storyline in regard to all the other aspects. Depending on the understanding level of students, teachers can introduce different types of plot structures such as the BME Model (Beginning, Middle, and End) or a plot diagram with six common stages.
Connect Structure and Development
Lay down the structure of the plot in a visual format in front of the students and ask them to analyze the structure from the perspective of one theme. Students can select one theme present in the story and identify the role of the theme in the development of the narrative. For instance, what role is this particular theme playing in the exposition, conflict, and resolution?
Give Writing Practice
Students should be encouraged to use themes in their own writing. Give students creative writing assignments that need them to pick a theme for their own stories and explore it. Students can use their imagination and apply the knowledge they have just learned in their own narratives.
Conduct Group Discussions
Plan conversations in groups about the topics covered in a specific book or narrative. Students should be encouraged to discuss their views and back up their claims with textual evidence.
Frequently Asked Questions About "The Treasure of Lemon Brown" Themes
What are the central ideas and themes explored in the narrative?
The value of family and connections (especially focusing on father-son relationships), the significance and meaning of real treasure, and the notion that genuine richness is found in experiences and memories rather than tangible belongings are among the central themes explored in the story.
How does the theme of “Treasure” develop over the course of the narrative?
Initially, the treasure is viewed by Greg (the main character) as a form of material possession and tangible goods. Greg's viewpoint does, however, change as a result of his contacts with Lemon Brown and the finding of his treasures, and he learns to value riches and sentimental items on a deeper level.
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