Activity Overview
A theme is a central idea, subject, or message in a story. Many stories have more than one important theme, and often in folktales, the theme is tied to the lesson the audience will take away from the story. For this activity, students will identify and illustrate the main theme in Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters and support the theme with evidence from the text. The main theme of this story is that kindness is beautiful.
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 one cell storyboard that identifies a recurring theme in Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters. Illustrate an example and write a short description.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify a theme from Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters that you wish to include and type it in the heading.
- Create an image for an example that represents this theme using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Write a short description.
- Save and exit when finished.
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, and often in folktales, the theme is tied to the lesson the audience will take away from the story. For this activity, students will identify and illustrate the main theme in Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters and support the theme with evidence from the text. The main theme of this story is that kindness is beautiful.
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 one cell storyboard that identifies a recurring theme in Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters. Illustrate an example and write a short description.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify a theme from Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters that you wish to include and type it in the heading.
- Create an image for an example that represents this theme using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Write a short description.
- Save and exit when finished.
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 Theme of Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters
Introduce theme mapping with anchor charts
Create a large anchor chart displaying the story’s title and main theme. Display it in your classroom as a visual reminder. This helps students see how themes connect to story events and encourages repeated reference during discussions.
Model finding theme evidence with think-alouds
Read a passage aloud and pause to think aloud about how words or actions show the theme. Explain your reasoning so students learn to support theme ideas with evidence.
Guide students in small theme-search groups
Divide students into small groups and assign each a section of the story. Ask them to find examples that illustrate the theme and share their findings. This builds teamwork and evidence-gathering skills.
Use visuals to help students connect theme to real life
Show images or short video clips of kind acts from everyday life. Discuss how these acts relate to the story’s theme. This makes the lesson relevant and memorable for students.
Celebrate theme understanding with a class kindness showcase
Invite students to perform or draw examples of kindness from their own lives. Display their work alongside references to the story’s theme. This reinforces the message and builds classroom community.
Frequently Asked Questions about Theme of Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters
What is the main theme of Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters?
The main theme of Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters is that kindness is beautiful. The story shows that true beauty comes from being kind and considerate to others, rather than just outward appearance.
How can students identify a theme in Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters?
Students can identify a theme by looking for recurring ideas or lessons in the story. In Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters, they should pay attention to characters’ actions and the consequences, especially moments where kindness makes a difference.
What is an easy classroom activity to teach themes using Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters?
An easy activity is to have students create a one-cell storyboard that illustrates a theme from the story. They draw a scene showing the theme and write a short description explaining how the scene represents it.
Why is kindness considered a central message in Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters?
Kindness is the central message because the story demonstrates that those who are kind are rewarded, while selfishness is not valued. This teaches students the importance of positive behavior and empathy.
What evidence from the text supports the theme of kindness in Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters?
Examples include Nyasha’s kind actions toward others, such as helping a hungry boy and being polite to everyone she meets. These actions lead to positive outcomes for her, reinforcing the theme that kindness is rewarded.
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