Themes in Literature | 7th Grade Literature

Learning Gig Resources

Understanding Theme Video

This Khan Academy video explains the concept of a theme in literature, distinguishing it from plot and summary. It emphasizes how a theme connects a significant idea about the world with the narrative of a text.

Source: Khan Academy

Reading

What is a Theme?

This reading explains the concept of literary themes, including how they differ from the plot, how authors develop themes, and how to identify them. It provides clear examples and steps for analysis to help students understand themes in literature.

Reading

Universal Themes: Love, Friendship, and Justice

This reading explains how the universal themes of love, friendship, and justice appear in stories across cultures and time periods. It highlights how these themes connect to human relationships and values while encouraging critical thinking about their relevance today.

Reading

The Journey to Identity

This reading explores how the theme of identity appears in literature, focusing on protagonists who overcome challenges to discover who they are. It highlights the importance of self-discovery in coming-of-age stories and connects these lessons to students' own experiences.

Project Work (Recommended)

Project

Project: Exploring Universal Themes Across Classical and Contemporary Texts Milestone 1/3

Students will analyze and compare how universal themes are developed in classical and contemporary texts to understand their relevance across time, culture, and genre.

1-2 students

Slides

Understanding Themes in Literature

This slideshow explores explicit and implicit themes in literature, including universal themes like love, justice, and identity.

Theme in Literature

The central idea or underlying meaning of a story.

Plot vs. Theme

Plot tells what happens; theme reveals what the story means.

Explicit Theme

A theme clearly stated by the author or narrator.

Implicit Theme

A theme implied through characters, events, or symbols.

Love as a Theme

Explores compassion, sacrifice, and loyalty in human relationships.

Friendship as a Theme

Focuses on trust and mutual support in overcoming challenges.

Justice as a Theme

Centers on fairness and moral responsibility.

Conflict and Theme

The central struggle in a story often reveals its theme.

Identity as a Theme

Explores a character’s journey of self-discovery.

Coming-of-Age Stories

Focus on young protagonists finding their identity.

Universal Themes

Themes like love, justice, and friendship connect to human experience.

Symbols in Theme

Objects or events that represent larger ideas in the story.

Resolution and Theme

How a story ends often reflects its theme.

Analyzing Theme

Ask: What lesson does the story teach? What patterns repeat?

Study Guide

Guided Notes and Study Guide: Understanding Themes in Literature

This guide combines key explanations with interactive fill-in-the-blank prompts to help students master themes in literature and prepare for assessments.

Session Schedule

Learning Gigs are self-paced and this schedule is only an aid for a classroom setting.

Session: Monday

Kick off with an overview of themes in literature and introduce the project(s). Provide time for forming groups if necessary.

Learning Activities:

Watch the introductory video on themes in literature.
Review the provided slideshow ("Understanding Themes in Literature") and discuss key concepts like explicit vs. implicit themes.
Introduce the project(s) and allocate time for brainstorming ideas or forming project groups.
Independent Learning: Students should review the reading 'What is a Theme?' at home.

Session: Tuesday

Focus on reading key texts on universal themes like love, justice, and identity.

Learning Activities:

Allocate class time for students to individually read excerpts from 'Universal Themes: Love, Friendship, and Justice' and 'The Journey to Identity.'
Begin informal discussions in pairs or small groups to share first impressions of the themes presented in the readings.
Independent Learning: Students should reflect on the themes they read about and consider how they might connect to their project work.

Session: Wednesday

Encourage group analysis of the readings and refine understanding of thematic elements.

Learning Activities:

Facilitate small-group discussions to analyze and discuss the themes presented in the readings, focusing on elements like symbols and resolution.
Continue reviewing slides from the slideshow, with a focus on themes like conflict and identity.
Provide time for students to outline or begin drafting their project ideas.
Independent Learning: Students should continue working on their project drafts, focusing on developing their chosen theme.

Session: Thursday

Focus on collaborative review of the study guide and refining project drafts.

Learning Activities:

Collaboratively review the study guide, emphasizing key takeaways for identifying and analyzing themes in literature.
Provide time for students to work independently or in small groups to refine their project drafts.
Wrap up the slideshow review, focusing on slides about coming-of-age stories and universal themes.
Independent Learning: Students should finalize their project drafts and reflect on the feedback they’ve received.

Session: Friday

Conclude with an assessment of understanding and sharing of projects.

Learning Activities:

Administer the assessment (e.g., a quiz, written response, or discussion-based activity) to evaluate understanding of themes in literature.
Have students submit their research so far in the project milestone for review and approval.
Lead a reflective discussion on what students learned about themes and their relevance in literature and life.
Independent Learning: Students can self-assess their project outcomes and consider areas for further improvement.

This Learning Gig development generously funded by Outstanda.