Education Technology


NCTE: Exploring Theme

Activity Overview

Students will be introduced to the terms theme, conflict, dialogue, characterization, repetition, and symbol. Using a set of criteria, the teacher will lead the students in analyzing the theme of a well-known work from popular culture.

Before the Activity

See the attached Activity PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity.

Print the appropriate pages from the Activity for your class.

Install the LearningCheck(tm) App on the students' graphing calculators following the attached instructions.

Select and obtain the movie video that will be used to facilitate the class analysis of theme. Prepare a transparency of the "Theme Analysis Activity."

During the Activity

  • Distribute the appropriate pages from the Activity to your class
  • Distribute the LearningCheck(tm) file(s) to your class using TI Connect(tm) and the appropriate TI Connectivity cable
  • Follow the procedures outlined in the Activity


  • Students will: Comprehend theme in literary works and works of popular culture.
  • Analyze a short story to identify the theme.
  • Develop their own thematic ideas and themes for a story.
  • Identify and evaluate the literary element of theme in professional models and peer writing.
  • After the Activity

    Monitor the class and ensure that the students understand the process used in the group activity as well as understand how to access and use the TI-83 Plus or TI-84 Plus and LearningCheck(tm) file. Advise the students that they will apply the same skills practiced in this activity in the following activity.