Activity Overview
Several themes are present in the story. Students can pick a theme to explore and should support their choice with specific details or events from the text. One prominent theme is "bravery". To rescue the dragon, Elmer has to be brave, and throughout the story he shows many ways that he acted this way.
Example 1
A fisherman, shaking while talking, tells Elmer that people have tried to explore Wild Island but never returned. Elmer is brave because he did not let this bother him, and he kept on his journey to the dragon.
Example 2
Elmer gets surrounded by seven tigers. He is not scared, instead he uses his quick thinking and gives the tigers 'special' chewing gum. This distracts the tigers so Elmer can escape.
Other themes that can be examined are: cleverness, resourcefulness, and heroism.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that identifies themes in My Father's Dragon. Illustrate instances of each theme and write a short description below each cell.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify the theme(s) from My Father's Dragon you wish to include and replace the "Theme 1" text.
- Create an image for an example that represents this theme.
- Write a description of each of the examples.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Identify Theme(s) | All themes are correctly identified and described. | Some themes are correctly identified. | No themes are correctly identified. |
| Examples of Theme(s) | All examples support the identified theme(s). | Most examples fit the identified theme(s). | Most examples do not fit the theme(s). |
| Illustrate Theme | Images clearly show connection with the theme(s). | Some images help to show the theme. | Images do not help in understanding the theme. |
Activity Overview
Several themes are present in the story. Students can pick a theme to explore and should support their choice with specific details or events from the text. One prominent theme is "bravery". To rescue the dragon, Elmer has to be brave, and throughout the story he shows many ways that he acted this way.
Example 1
A fisherman, shaking while talking, tells Elmer that people have tried to explore Wild Island but never returned. Elmer is brave because he did not let this bother him, and he kept on his journey to the dragon.
Example 2
Elmer gets surrounded by seven tigers. He is not scared, instead he uses his quick thinking and gives the tigers 'special' chewing gum. This distracts the tigers so Elmer can escape.
Other themes that can be examined are: cleverness, resourcefulness, and heroism.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that identifies themes in My Father's Dragon. Illustrate instances of each theme and write a short description below each cell.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify the theme(s) from My Father's Dragon you wish to include and replace the "Theme 1" text.
- Create an image for an example that represents this theme.
- Write a description of each of the examples.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Identify Theme(s) | All themes are correctly identified and described. | Some themes are correctly identified. | No themes are correctly identified. |
| Examples of Theme(s) | All examples support the identified theme(s). | Most examples fit the identified theme(s). | Most examples do not fit the theme(s). |
| Illustrate Theme | Images clearly show connection with the theme(s). | Some images help to show the theme. | Images do not help in understanding the theme. |
How Tos about Themes of My Father\'s Dragon
Engage students with a theme discussion circle
Organize your class into small groups and assign each group a different theme from My Father's Dragon, such as bravery, cleverness, or resourcefulness. Encourage students to discuss examples from the story and share personal experiences that relate to their assigned theme. This promotes critical thinking and active participation in exploring literary themes.
Guide students to find text evidence for their chosen theme
Instruct students to return to the book and identify specific sentences or events that support their chosen theme. Have them highlight or jot down these details. This helps students practice citing evidence and strengthens their reading comprehension skills.
Facilitate creative storyboard planning
Encourage students to sketch quick thumbnail images representing each example of their theme before creating their final storyboard. Ask them to think about the beginning, middle, and end of the story when selecting scenes. This step boosts creativity and visual organization.
Support students in writing clear theme descriptions
Model how to write a short, specific description explaining how each image connects to the theme. Remind students to use their own words and include key details from the story. This develops written communication and text-to-theme connections.
Frequently Asked Questions about Themes of My Father\'s Dragon
What are the main themes in My Father's Dragon?
My Father's Dragon explores key themes like bravery, cleverness, resourcefulness, and heroism. The story highlights how Elmer shows courage and creative problem-solving throughout his adventure to rescue the dragon.
How does Elmer show bravery in My Father's Dragon?
Elmer demonstrates bravery by continuing his quest to rescue the dragon, even after hearing warnings about Wild Island and facing dangers like seven tigers. He remains calm and uses clever tactics to overcome obstacles.
What is a good classroom activity to teach themes from My Father's Dragon?
A great activity is creating a storyboard where students identify and illustrate examples of different themes from the book. They can draw scenes and write descriptions of how each theme appears in Elmer's adventure.
Why is resourcefulness important in My Father's Dragon?
Resourcefulness is vital because Elmer uses quick thinking and available tools, such as chewing gum to distract tigers, to solve problems and progress in his quest. This teaches students the value of creative problem-solving.
What grade level is My Father's Dragon best for when teaching themes?
My Father's Dragon is best suited for students in grades 2–3 when exploring themes, as its content and vocabulary match their reading and comprehension skills.
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