The Lantern of Wren Hollow: Finding the Theme

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English Language Arts · English 6-8
SP-ELA68-005 · Free to print and use in your classroom · substituteplans.com
Page 2
The Lantern of Wren Hollow: Finding the Theme
English Language Arts · English 6-8 · Grades 7 · 50 minutes
Time needed
50 minutes (one class period)
Prep
Copy the 2-page worksheet (one per student). Write the definitions of topic and theme on the
board.
Technology
None.
Student
independence
High. Students read and write alone, then discuss with a partner.
Copies to make
One 2-page worksheet per student
Materials
Pencils, Worksheet, Whiteboard or chalkboard
Goal for today: Students will state the theme of a short fantasy story, distinguish theme from topic, and support the
theme with two details from the text.
Before the bell
☐ Copy the worksheet, one per student (2 pages).
☐ Write on the board: TOPIC = one or two words about the subject (example: friendship). THEME = a full
sentence message about life (example: True friends stand by you when things get hard).
☐ Keep the answer key on your desk. You do not need to know the story ahead of time.
Say this to start
Good morning! Today you will read a short fantasy story about a village and a lantern. After you read, you will figure
out the theme. The theme is the message about life that the story teaches. The author does not usually say it outright,
so you will use details from the story to prove it. Take your time and read carefully.
Run of show
Minutes
What you do
What students do
0–5
Take attendance. Hand out the worksheet. Read the topic
and theme definitions on the board aloud.
Listen and write their name on the
worksheet.
5–15
Ask students to read the story silently. Tell them to circle
the point where Pip changes his mind.
Read and circle the turning point.
15–27
Tell students to answer questions 1–5 (multiple choice).
Walk the room.
Choose the best answers and look back at
the story.
27–37
Tell students to complete the Story Map table. Partners
may whisper to compare.
Fill in each story element in their own
words.
37–47
Tell students to answer questions 6 and 7 in complete
sentences.
Write the theme evidence and a real-life
connection.
47–50
Collect the worksheets and stack them for the teacher.
Hand in the worksheet.
If things go wrong
• If a student writes one word for the theme, ask, “Can you turn that into a full sentence that tells a lesson?”

SubstitutePlans.com
English Language Arts · English 6-8
SP-ELA68-005 · Free to print and use in your classroom · substituteplans.com
Page 3
• If students argue about the theme wording, say several wordings are fine if the idea is supported by the story.
• If students finish early, ask them to check that the Story Map has a detail from the story in every row.
• If the room is noisy, remind them the first 25 minutes are for quiet individual work.
Early finishers
• Write a new ending in which Orla does not return. What happens to the village?
• Invent a different fantasy setting that could teach the same theme, and describe it in two sentences.
Support and challenge
• Support: Let students work with a partner on the Story Map and complete only questions 1–4 and 6.
• Challenge: Ask students to explain how the setting of a dark village helps develop the theme.
Notes for the teacher (you fill this in)
Jot a few lines before you leave. A full Daily Sub Report is in the free Sub Survival Kit at SubstitutePlans.com.
How far the class got / what to pick up next:
Students who were especially helpful:
Anything the teacher should know: