Having done some work on "theme" with other coaches (I was a literacy coach then) we found it to be a very complex topic. Talking with others, and learning about their take on it helped form our own thoughts. We worked together to determine a "definition" so when we used the word, we all had the same reference. So what we called theme, may not be what someone else calls theme. We also got into the significance of the piece. We felt if we could help children determine the significance (why did the author write this? what did they want us to learn? to walk away with? What was the author's message.) children could start to write significance into their own pieces, so readers aren't left with the question so what? Hmmmm, I am adding more fuel to this smoldering fire...Anyway, we found that children will determine the significance, theme, message, etc., based on their own schema. What stands out in the story for one person, may not be the same for another, because prior knowledge plays a part in the understanding.
Jan We must view young people not as empty bottles to be filled, but as candles to be lit. -Robert Shaffer > Date: Sun, 8 Nov 2009 16:09:51 +0000 > From: [email protected] > To: [email protected] > Subject: Re: [MOSAIC] Theme/author's message > > I do think there is a difference, although students should be taught both, of > course. For example, we are reading RULES by Cynthia Lord right now. She says > that her theme was acceptance. My papers about it are at school right now, > but I do think she did call it her theme, not her message.We are using the > book in our thematic unit about growing up. I can clearly see how there are > many "life messages" in this book. The main character struggles through the > challenges of leaving childhood joys behind, as she thrills at the new world > of adolescence. The conversations about this book bring out the idea that > rich literature will usually have multiple themes, messages that resonate > with different people for different reasons. As long as the reader can use > the text to justify their opinion, I think a theme can be jaccepted, whether > it was the author's original intent or not. > > This inquiry was perfectly timed for me. Next week we will be focusing on the > author's purpose and then finishing up the book and learning about theme. I > am interested on hearing what others think about these topics! > Maura > 5/NJ > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Kelly Andrews-Babcock" <[email protected]> > To: "Mosaic: A Reading Comprehension Strategies Email Group" > <[email protected]> > Sent: Sunday, November 8, 2009 7:45:51 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern > Subject: [MOSAIC] Theme/author's message > > Perhaps you can help me with a question that has come up with our staff. We > were discussing theme (fiction) and at one grade level author's message came > up as being used interchangeably with theme. In our conversation that > followed some people thought theme was a more global or overarching idea and > the author's message was more specific to the lesson the author was teaching > through the text. But in realizing there can be multiple themes in books, > the confusion continues. I'd love to hear from you more on this topic. > Thanks, > Kelly AB > > > _______________________________________________ > Mosaic mailing list > [email protected] > To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to > http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org. > > Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive. > > _______________________________________________ > Mosaic mailing list > [email protected] > To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to > http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org. > > Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive. > _______________________________________________ Mosaic mailing list [email protected] To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org. Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive.
