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 Full Cicada Moon. 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 Full Cicada Moon
Friendship
Mimi’s friendships are very important to her. She left behind cousins who were very close to her, and felt lonely when she moved. Mimi’s friendship with Stacey is special, as Stacey doesn’t see Mimi as the bi-racial new girl, she sees Mimi as a kind, smart, good person. Mimi’s friendship with Timothy is complicated, as his uncle does not want them anywhere near one another.
Race
Race is a very prominent theme in the story. One example is when Stacey, who is white, and Victor, who is black, dance together at the school dance, and the boys get mad and bully Victor. Another example is when Stacey doesn’t invite Mimi to her birthday party because her mother doesn’t approve of their friendship. There are many more examples of race being a factor, and the outward racism that Mimi and her parents face.
Speaking Out For What You Believe In
Mimi’s parents have taught her that speaking up is important, especially in a respectful way. One example of this is when Mimi decides to sit in the shop class and refuses to leave; she gets suspended for her actions but her parents are proud of her for standing up for what she believes in.
Kindness
There are many examples of how Mimi and her parents choose kindness, even when it is difficult. One example of this is when they bring Thanksgiving dinner to Mr. Dell, even though he has treated the family poorly in the past.
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 Full Cicada Moon. Illustrate instances of each theme and write a short description below each cell.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify the themes from Full Cicada Moon 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 Full Cicada Moon. 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 Full Cicada Moon
Friendship
Mimi’s friendships are very important to her. She left behind cousins who were very close to her, and felt lonely when she moved. Mimi’s friendship with Stacey is special, as Stacey doesn’t see Mimi as the bi-racial new girl, she sees Mimi as a kind, smart, good person. Mimi’s friendship with Timothy is complicated, as his uncle does not want them anywhere near one another.
Race
Race is a very prominent theme in the story. One example is when Stacey, who is white, and Victor, who is black, dance together at the school dance, and the boys get mad and bully Victor. Another example is when Stacey doesn’t invite Mimi to her birthday party because her mother doesn’t approve of their friendship. There are many more examples of race being a factor, and the outward racism that Mimi and her parents face.
Speaking Out For What You Believe In
Mimi’s parents have taught her that speaking up is important, especially in a respectful way. One example of this is when Mimi decides to sit in the shop class and refuses to leave; she gets suspended for her actions but her parents are proud of her for standing up for what she believes in.
Kindness
There are many examples of how Mimi and her parents choose kindness, even when it is difficult. One example of this is when they bring Thanksgiving dinner to Mr. Dell, even though he has treated the family poorly in the past.
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 Full Cicada Moon. Illustrate instances of each theme and write a short description below each cell.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify the themes from Full Cicada Moon 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 Full Cicada Moon
Create a class discussion around themes in Full Cicada Moon
Encourage students to share their thoughts on the book’s themes by organizing a class discussion. Ask open-ended questions about friendship, race, and speaking out, and invite multiple perspectives to create a deeper understanding of the story’s messages.
Prepare discussion prompts for students
Write 3–5 specific, theme-focused prompts such as “How does Mimi show kindness even when it’s hard?” or “Why is speaking out important in the story?” Display prompts on the board to help guide conversation and keep students engaged.
Group students for small-team conversations
Divide the class into small groups and assign each group a different theme or scene. Give students time to talk and jot down notes before sharing with the whole class. This encourages participation from everyone.
Facilitate whole-class sharing and connections
After group discussions, invite each group to share their insights with the class. Highlight similarities and differences in their observations, and connect their ideas back to the main themes of the story.
Wrap up with a reflective writing prompt
Ask students to write a short reflection about which theme in Full Cicada Moon resonated with them most and why. This helps students personalize their learning and deepens their understanding of the book’s messages.
Frequently Asked Questions about Themes in Full Cicada Moon
What are the main themes in Full Cicada Moon?
Full Cicada Moon explores several major themes, including friendship, race, speaking out for what you believe in, and kindness. Each theme is illustrated through the characters' experiences and interactions.
How can students identify themes in Full Cicada Moon?
Students can identify themes by looking for recurring ideas or messages throughout the story, such as characters’ struggles with identity, moments of standing up for beliefs, or acts of kindness. Illustrating key scenes and writing brief descriptions helps deepen understanding.
What is an example of the theme of race in Full Cicada Moon?
One example is when Stacey doesn’t invite Mimi to her birthday party because her mother disapproves of their friendship due to race, highlighting the challenges Mimi faces as a bi-racial girl in a new community.
Why is friendship an important theme in Full Cicada Moon?
Friendship is crucial in the novel as Mimi relies on supportive relationships to navigate loneliness and prejudice. Her bond with Stacey shows acceptance, while her complicated friendship with Timothy reveals social tensions.
How can teachers use storyboard activities to teach themes from Full Cicada Moon?
Teachers can have students create storyboards that illustrate key themes, using images and short descriptions to connect scenes from the book to central messages. This visual activity helps students analyze and remember the story’s themes.
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