GOAL:
To analyze themes in the book
ASSIGNED READING:
Chapter 15
WRITING PROMPT:
Do you think Annemarie acted bravely in Chapter 15? Why?
How do you feel about the way the German soldiers acted?
Why do you think the handkerchief is important?
ONLINE PROMPT:
Use the Student Comment Form to share ideas and questions with your online peers. Check previous Student Comments pages to see if there are any comments you want to respond to.
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Review theme with the class. Make sure students understand that a theme is an underlying message or idea in a story. Most writers want to do more than simply entertain their readers with a good story; they want to convey deeper truths about people and about life. A story can have one major theme or many interrelated ones. It's important for readers to think about theme because this helps clarify what the story has taught them.
Ask students to list some possible themes in Number the Stars. For example, they might mention bravery and pride. Ask them to think about the themes that they listed as they read Chapter 15.
Also review story structure with the class, focusing on climax. The climax of the story is the most exciting part, in which the main problem or conflict is resolved. Suggest that as they read Chapter 15, they think about whether this is the climax of the story and why.
In community share, return to the topic of theme and ask students whether any of the themes they listed were developed in Chapter 15. For example, what happened to make them think about bravery? Did they learn anything new about bravery in this chapter? If so, what?
Ask students to whether they think Chapter 15 represents the climax of this story and why. If students disagree, encourage them to debate each other, with each student providing evidence and arguments for his or her opinion.
Click to go to Lesson 15.
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