Original PromptCreate a one-page guided notes worksheet for 9th graders to accompany a lesson on identifying themes. Include sections for: Learning Objectives, Plot vs. Theme, Defining Theme (Topic vs. Theme), the CLUES Method, and a practice area for 'The Ant and the Grasshopper' and independent analysis.
This resource focuses on helping students distinguish between plot and theme in literary texts. It outlines a clear understanding of the two concepts: the topic as a concrete element of a story (e.g., Friendship, Courage) and the theme as an abstract statement that conveys a lesson or message (e.g., True friends help in times of need). Students will learn to apply the CLUES method, which stands for Character changes, Lessons learned, Unexpected events, Ending/Resolution, and Symbols, to investigate and articulate thematic messages in stories. The guided practice section uses 'The Ant and the Grasshopper' fable to exemplify the process of identifying themes, while offering students an independent analysis activity to further explore the themes in their chosen texts.