Activity Overview
A theme is a central idea, subject, or message in a story. Many stories have more than one important theme. For this activity, students will identify and illustrate two of the themes in A Mango-Shaped Space. Teachers may want the students to identify and illustrate two themes, one for each cell, or identify one theme and show two examples of it, one example per cell.
Examples of Themes in A Mango-Shaped Space
Identity
The characters in this story all have their own uniqueness. When Mia is called a freak in third grade, she keeps her true self a secret. When Mia decides to take her condition hear on and embrace it, the readers see her truly becoming herself.
Family
Mia and her siblings are very different and all are quite quirky, but Mia quickly realizes that they all have each other’s backs when needed.
Honesty
One example of this theme is when Mia tells Jenna about seeing colors. Jenna is hurt because her best friend kept a huge secret from her, and Mia realizes that it’s best to be honest and upfront.
Loss
Throughout the story, readers learn that Mia has lost both of her grandparents, and that she misses her grandfather a great deal. Jenna’s mom has also passed away, and Mia deals with the loss of her beloved cat, Mango.
Friendship
Mia and Jenna have an unbreakable bond. They have some arguments throughout the story, but they always make up. Mia learns that not everyone is a true friend when Adam, whom she met in the online synesthesia group, doesn’t seem to care much about the loss of Mango.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a storyboard that identifies recurring themes in A Mango-Shaped Space. Illustrate instances of each theme and write a short description below each cell.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify the themes from A Mango-Shaped Space you wish to include and write them in the headings.
- Create an image for an example that represents this theme using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Write a short description of each of the examples.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
---|---|---|---|
Identify Theme(s) | All themes are correctly identified as important recurring topics or messages in the story. | Some themes are correctly identified, but others are missing or do not make sense with the story. | No themes are correctly identified. |
Examples | All examples support the identified themes. Descriptions clearly say why examples are significant. | Most examples fit the identified themes. Descriptions say why examples are significant. | Most examples do not fit the identified themes. Descriptions are unclear. |
Depiction | Storyboard cells clearly show connection with the themes and help with understanding. | Most storyboard cells help to show the themes, but some storyboard cells are difficult to understand. | Storyboard cells do not help in understanding the themes. |
Activity Overview
A theme is a central idea, subject, or message in a story. Many stories have more than one important theme. For this activity, students will identify and illustrate two of the themes in A Mango-Shaped Space. Teachers may want the students to identify and illustrate two themes, one for each cell, or identify one theme and show two examples of it, one example per cell.
Examples of Themes in A Mango-Shaped Space
Identity
The characters in this story all have their own uniqueness. When Mia is called a freak in third grade, she keeps her true self a secret. When Mia decides to take her condition hear on and embrace it, the readers see her truly becoming herself.
Family
Mia and her siblings are very different and all are quite quirky, but Mia quickly realizes that they all have each other’s backs when needed.
Honesty
One example of this theme is when Mia tells Jenna about seeing colors. Jenna is hurt because her best friend kept a huge secret from her, and Mia realizes that it’s best to be honest and upfront.
Loss
Throughout the story, readers learn that Mia has lost both of her grandparents, and that she misses her grandfather a great deal. Jenna’s mom has also passed away, and Mia deals with the loss of her beloved cat, Mango.
Friendship
Mia and Jenna have an unbreakable bond. They have some arguments throughout the story, but they always make up. Mia learns that not everyone is a true friend when Adam, whom she met in the online synesthesia group, doesn’t seem to care much about the loss of Mango.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a storyboard that identifies recurring themes in A Mango-Shaped Space. Illustrate instances of each theme and write a short description below each cell.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify the themes from A Mango-Shaped Space you wish to include and write them in the headings.
- Create an image for an example that represents this theme using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Write a short description of each of the examples.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
---|---|---|---|
Identify Theme(s) | All themes are correctly identified as important recurring topics or messages in the story. | Some themes are correctly identified, but others are missing or do not make sense with the story. | No themes are correctly identified. |
Examples | All examples support the identified themes. Descriptions clearly say why examples are significant. | Most examples fit the identified themes. Descriptions say why examples are significant. | Most examples do not fit the identified themes. Descriptions are unclear. |
Depiction | Storyboard cells clearly show connection with the themes and help with understanding. | Most storyboard cells help to show the themes, but some storyboard cells are difficult to understand. | Storyboard cells do not help in understanding the themes. |
How Tos about Themes in A Mango-Shaped Space
Incorporate group discussion to deepen theme analysis
Facilitate a class or small-group discussion after students identify themes. Encouraging students to share their storyboard choices helps them see different perspectives and deepen their understanding of each theme.
Encourage students to connect themes to their own lives
Ask students to relate a theme from the story to a personal experience or real-world event. This makes the activity more meaningful and helps students see how literature reflects real life.
Model theme identification with a sample storyboard
Show students a sample storyboard using a familiar story or part of A Mango-Shaped Space. Demonstrating the process gives students a clear example to follow and boosts confidence.
Provide sentence starters for theme descriptions
Offer sentence starters such as “This scene shows the theme of…” or “Mia learns about…” This supports students who may struggle with writing, helping them express their ideas more clearly.
Frequently Asked Questions about Themes in A Mango-Shaped Space
What are the main themes in A Mango-Shaped Space?
A Mango-Shaped Space explores themes such as identity, family, honesty, loss, and friendship. Each theme is shown through Mia's journey as she learns to accept herself, strengthens family bonds, values honesty, copes with loss, and discovers true friendship.
How can students identify and illustrate themes from A Mango-Shaped Space?
Students can identify themes by looking for recurring ideas or messages in the story, such as honesty or loss. They can illustrate these themes by creating storyboard cells that show key scenes and writing short descriptions explaining how each scene connects to the chosen theme.
What is an example of the theme of identity in A Mango-Shaped Space?
An example of identity is when Mia decides to stop hiding her synesthesia and embraces her unique way of experiencing the world, showing personal growth and self-acceptance.
Why is honesty an important theme in A Mango-Shaped Space?
Honesty is crucial because Mia learns that keeping secrets can hurt her relationships, especially when her best friend, Jenna, feels betrayed. The story shows that being open helps build trust and understanding.
What activities help middle school students explore themes in A Mango-Shaped Space?
Teachers can assign storyboard projects where students illustrate different themes, write short descriptions, or discuss examples from the book. These activities foster deeper understanding and engagement with the story's messages.
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