Welcome to Nowhere Themes Student Activity

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 two of the themes in Welcome to Nowhere. Teachers may ask students to identify and illustrate two themes, or identify one theme and illustrate two examples of it.

Examples of Themes in Welcome to Nowhere

Family

One of the main themes of the book is family. The circumstances around Omar’s family are dire, but they stay with each other, stick up for each other, and protect each other when in danger.

War

This historical fiction novel depicts the reality of life conditions during war. Civilians are affected by all aspects of war, and many are forced to flee in order to save their own lives and the lives of their loved ones.

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Template and Class Instructions

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Due Date:

Objective: Create a storyboard that identifies recurring themes in Welcome to Nowhere. Illustrate instances of each theme and write a short description below each cell.

Student Instructions:

Click "Start Assignment".
Identify the themes from Welcome to Nowhere 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.

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Lesson Plan Reference

Grade Level 6-8

Difficulty Level 3 (Developing to Mastery)

Type of Assignment Individual or Partner

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/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

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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.