ELA.2.R.1.2

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Identify and explain a theme of a literary text.
General Information
Subject Area: English Language Arts (B.E.S.T.)
Grade: 2
Strand: Reading
Standard: Reading Prose and Poetry
Date Adopted or Revised: 08/20
Date of Last Rating: 02/20
Status: State Board Approved

Related Courses

This benchmark is part of these courses.
5010020: Basic Skills in Reading-K-2 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2021, 2021 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))
5010030: Functional Basic Skills in Communications-Elementary (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))
5010043: Language Arts - Grade Two (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2021, 2021 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))
7710013: Access Language Arts - Grade 2 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
5011020: Library Skills/Information Literacy Grade 2 (Specifically in versions: 2016 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))
5010024: Basic Skills in Reading 3-5 (Specifically in versions: 2021 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))
5010102: Introduction to Debate Grade 2 (Specifically in versions: 2020 - 2022, 2022 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))
5010013: English for Speakers of Other Languages Grade 2 (Specifically in versions: 2021 and beyond (current))

Related Access Points

Alternate version of this benchmark for students with significant cognitive disabilities.
ELA.2.R.1.AP.2: Identify the theme of a literary text.

Related Resources

Vetted resources educators can use to teach the concepts and skills in this benchmark.

Lesson Plans

The Great Kapok Tree: A Study of Theme:

During these lessons, students will read The Great Kapok Tree: A Tale of the Amazon Rain Forest by Lynne Cherry. They will learn about the importance of trees by learning new vocabulary, analyzing characters, and finding the theme of the story.

Type: Lesson Plan

Fly Away Home: A Little Boy's Hope:

In this lesson, students will work with their teacher and their classmates to read Fly Away Home by Eve Bunting. Students will tackle the idea of theme and symbolism in this story by studying what a little brown bird means to the main character. Students will write about the theme of the story in an expository paragraph.

Type: Lesson Plan

Learning about Theme with Brave Irene:

Who doesn't love a theme! Students will use the book Brave Irene by William Steig to learn about themes. They will create a story map for the text and look closely at the problem and solution and how the main character changed throughout the story to determine the big idea. Students will demonstrate their understanding by writing about the theme and identifying parts of the story that support that thinking.

Type: Lesson Plan

Star-Belly Sneetches and What They Teach Us:

This lesson allows students to dig deeply into a popular, fun fictional story by Dr. Seuss to determine the theme and the life lesson it provides. Students will work in groups to act out the story in a skit, participate in a brainstorming activity with higher-order thinking questions, and design a creative response poster incorporating the story's theme to share with the class. Who doesn't love a Dr. Seuss classic that teaches students a lesson they can apply to their daily lives?

Type: Lesson Plan

Student Center Activities

Comprehension: Story Element Sort:

In this activity, students will identify story elements by sorting them into appropriate categories.

Type: Student Center Activity

Comprehension: Story Element Web:

In this activity, students will identify story elements and record them in a graphic organizer.

Type: Student Center Activity

Student Resources

Vetted resources students can use to learn the concepts and skills in this benchmark.

Parent Resources

Vetted resources caregivers can use to help students learn the concepts and skills in this benchmark.