When the Circus Came To Town

Vocabulary ~ Lesson 7

Objective

• I will be able to understand the character’s traits, actions, and motives in order to determine the theme of the story.

Theme

• You have learned that the theme is the message or meaning you learn from the story.

• Some people might call this the “moral of the story.”

Theme

• In some folktales or fairytales the author tells us exactly what the theme of the story is.

• Most of the time, we need to figure out the theme on our own using clues from the story (synthesize the story elements).

Theme

• There are 3 things we can use to figure out the theme of a story.

• 1. Character’s qualities or traits – what is the character like?

• 2. Character’s actions – what is the character doing?

• 3. Character’s motives – why did this character do something?

Theme

• Let’s see if we can figure out the theme of some well-known stories.

• Think about the story The Three Little Pigs.

• What are some lessons or themes from that fairytale?

• Write them in your notes.

Theme

• Some possible themes for the 3 Little Pigs could be:

• Don’t be lazy.

• Crime doesn’t pay.

• Being smart pays off.

Theme

• Watch out for characters’ traits, actions, and motives today.

• Paying attention to these things will help you to synthesize (figure out) the theme.

• But first, some new vocabulary words!

Fret

To think about something a lot, or to worry

Proclaim

To announce something to agroup of people

Assured

Words that make you feelpositive that things will be okay

Outlandish

Something that is bizarre,strange or unusual

Nudge

To push or poke something gently

Ruckus

To make a lot of noise or to fussabout something

Objective

• I will be able to understand and use the character’s traits, actions, and motives in order to determine the theme of the story.

• Now turn to When the Circus Came to Town in StoryTown and Lesson 7 activity in the Practice Book.