ALEX Learning Activity

Spooky Tales of 5th Grade-Part 2: Theme and Personification

A Learning Activity is a strategy a teacher chooses to actively engage students in learning a concept or skill using a digital tool/resource.

  This learning activity provided by:  
Author: Tomiko Masuoka
System:Phenix City
School:Lakewood Elementary School
  General Activity Information  
Activity ID: 2768
Title:
Spooky Tales of 5th Grade-Part 2: Theme and Personification
Digital Tool/Resource:
Aesop's Fables 'The Ant and the Grasshopper' Short Film (YouTube)
Web Address – URL:
Overview:

Students will watch a video about an Aesop Fable. They will identify the theme of the fable portrayed in the video and support their answer with evidence from the video. Students will use a Google Slideshow to support a fictional narrative writing. 

This activity results from the ALEX Resource Development Summit.
  Associated Standards and Objectives  
Content Standard(s):
English Language Arts
ELA2021 (2021)
Grade: 5
12. Interpret the meaning of words, phrases, and patterns as they are used in texts, including domain-specific and academic vocabulary and figurative language.

a. Locate similes, metaphors, personification, hyperbole, imagery, alliteration, onomatopoeia, and idioms and interpret their meanings in context.

b. Explain the meanings of common idioms, adages, and proverbs.

c. Use the relationships between synonyms, antonyms, and homographs to increase understanding of word meanings.

d. Explain how an author's vocabulary and style influence the tone and mood of a text and support his/her purpose for writing.

e. Use common, grade-appropriate Greek and Latin affixes and roots as clues to the meanings of words.
English Language Arts
ELA2021 (2021)
Grade: 5
17. Demonstrate comprehension of text by asking and responding to questions about literary elements used in the text.

Examples: theme, plot, point of view
English Language Arts
ELA2021 (2021)
Grade: 5
34. Write personal or fictional narratives incorporating literary elements (characters, plot, setting, conflict), dialogue, strong voice, and clear event sequences.
Learning Objectives:

Students will demonstrate comprehension of a story by identifying the theme.

Students will write a fictional narrative that includes the literary element of theme.

Students will write examples of personification and select two examples to include in a fictional narrative.
  Strategies, Preparations and Variations  
Phase:
During/Explore/Explain
Activity:

1. Review the definition of theme (the moral or lesson of a story). Tell students they are going to view a video. They will identify the theme of the story. View the YouTube video "The Ant and the Grasshopper." After the video, students will write down the theme of the story. They will also give evidence as to why they think this is the theme. Discuss student responses.

2. Students will open the Google Slide viewed previously from Spooky Tales of 5th Grade-Part 1: Personification. Tell students that they are going to write a spooky fictional story. Students will go to slide 2 and 3. Yesterday, they wrote examples of personification. Give students time to write additional examples of personification. Students will highlight two examples they wrote to include in their story. Discuss with students how using personification will add more detail to their story.

3 Students will go to slide 4. Go over the themes listed on this slide. Tell the students that they are going to write a spooky fictional story that incorporates one of the themes listed on the slide. Students may select a theme that is not on the slide, but it must be approved by the teacher.

4. Students will go to slide 5. On this slide, students will brainstorm ideas for their story. Before students complete the graphic organizer independently, the teacher will model how to complete the graphic organizer using one of the themes on slide 4. The teacher will select a theme and then complete the graphic organizer by thinking aloud: "Since this is the theme of my story, what could happen in my story to clearly show the theme?" The teacher will fill in each part-characters, setting, beginning, middle, and end. 

5. Students will complete their graphic organizer. While students work, the teacher will check in with students to answer questions and ensure understanding. Students will submit their completed slides.
Assessment Strategies:

The teacher will review the students' responses to the theme and evidence of the "The Ant and the Grasshopper." The teacher is looking to see if:

  • the students identified a theme that makes sense for video. 

  • the student supported their answer with evidence from the video.

The teacher will review the graphic organizer the students completed. The teacher is looking to see if:

  • The students completed each part of the graphic organizer. 

  • The students have a clear theme for their story.

  • The events help develop the theme of the story.

The teacher will review slides 2 and 3. The teacher is looking to see if:

  • students highlighted examples of personification they will use in their fictional narrative.

  • the examples highlighted are correct examples of personification.
Advanced Preparation:

Students will have previously submitted the Google Slides in Spooky Tales of 5th Grade-Part 1: Personification. The teacher will need to unsubmit the slides and return them so the students can have access to the Google Slides for this lesson.

The teacher will preview the YouTube video, "The Ant and the Grasshopper."

Students need pencil and paper.
Variation Tips (optional):
 
Notes or Recommendations (optional):
  Keywords and Search Tags  
Keywords and Search Tags: Fictional Narrative, Figurative Langauge, Theme, Writing