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 the themes in My Side of the Mountain. Teachers may want the students to identify and illustrate 2 themes, one for each cell, or identify one theme, and show two examples of it, one example per cell.
Examples of Themes in My Side of the Mountain
Self Discovery and Growth
When Sam goes out into the wilderness, he discovers a lot about himself. For example, he discovers that he can survive on his own, and is able to be resourceful and self-sufficient. Sam realizes that he enjoys being independent and feeling grown up.
Loneliness
Sam is alone throughout most of the story, but he is not always lonely. In order to pass the time, Sam talks to the animals and doesn’t realize that he misses people until he encounters a person in his space.
Survival
Sam quickly realizes that it is not money that will help him survive, it’s his skills and resourcefulness. Sam relies on his knowledge of nature and what he has researched and learned from others in order to survive in the wilderness.
Family
Sam’s family isn’t worried about him, for they knew approximately where he was headed and that this was something he needed to do. His father even visited him! At the end of the story, when Sam’s family joins him to live in the woods, the readers learn how truly important they are to one another.
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 2 recurring themes in My Side of the Mountain. Illustrate instances of each theme and write a short description below each cell.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify the themes from My Side of the Mountain 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 the themes in My Side of the Mountain. Teachers may want the students to identify and illustrate 2 themes, one for each cell, or identify one theme, and show two examples of it, one example per cell.
Examples of Themes in My Side of the Mountain
Self Discovery and Growth
When Sam goes out into the wilderness, he discovers a lot about himself. For example, he discovers that he can survive on his own, and is able to be resourceful and self-sufficient. Sam realizes that he enjoys being independent and feeling grown up.
Loneliness
Sam is alone throughout most of the story, but he is not always lonely. In order to pass the time, Sam talks to the animals and doesn’t realize that he misses people until he encounters a person in his space.
Survival
Sam quickly realizes that it is not money that will help him survive, it’s his skills and resourcefulness. Sam relies on his knowledge of nature and what he has researched and learned from others in order to survive in the wilderness.
Family
Sam’s family isn’t worried about him, for they knew approximately where he was headed and that this was something he needed to do. His father even visited him! At the end of the story, when Sam’s family joins him to live in the woods, the readers learn how truly important they are to one another.
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 2 recurring themes in My Side of the Mountain. Illustrate instances of each theme and write a short description below each cell.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify the themes from My Side of the Mountain 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 My Side of the Mountain
How to facilitate a classroom discussion about themes in My Side of the Mountain
Begin with an open-ended question about the story’s main message. Encourage students to share their ideas freely about what Sam learns on his journey. This builds engagement and sets a collaborative tone.
Guide students to connect themes with personal experiences
Invite students to relate the themes of self-discovery, survival, or family to their own lives. Ask questions like, “Have you ever had to solve a problem on your own?” This deepens understanding and makes the lesson more meaningful.
Use visual aids to reinforce theme identification
Display images or storyboards representing key scenes from the book. Point out how each visual links to a specific theme. This supports visual learners and clarifies abstract ideas.
Encourage small group collaboration to explore multiple themes
Have students work in small groups to find and illustrate different themes. Let each group present their findings to the class. This fosters teamwork and a variety of perspectives.
Wrap up with a reflective writing prompt
Ask students to write a short paragraph about which theme resonated most with them and why. This personal reflection helps solidify learning and connects the story to real-life experiences.
Frequently Asked Questions about Themes in My Side of the Mountain
What are the main themes in My Side of the Mountain?
My Side of the Mountain explores several core themes, including self-discovery and growth, survival, loneliness, and the importance of family. Each theme highlights Sam's journey as he learns to rely on himself, faces challenges alone, adapts to the wilderness, and ultimately values his connections with others.
How can students identify themes in My Side of the Mountain?
Students can identify themes by looking for repeated ideas, messages, or lessons throughout the story. Ask students to find examples where Sam learns something important, overcomes difficulties, or reflects on his feelings. Using a storyboard to illustrate these moments helps make the themes clear and memorable.
What is an example of self-discovery in My Side of the Mountain?
An example of self-discovery in the book is when Sam learns he can survive on his own in the wilderness. He discovers his ability to be resourceful and enjoys his newfound independence, realizing how much he can accomplish by believing in himself.
Why is survival an important theme in My Side of the Mountain?
Survival is a key theme because Sam must use his knowledge, skills, and creativity to live in the wild. The story shows that survival depends more on resourcefulness and adaptability than on money or supplies, teaching readers valuable life lessons about resilience.
How can teachers create a lesson on themes from My Side of the Mountain?
Teachers can have students identify two major themes from the book and illustrate examples of each using storyboards. Encourage students to write short descriptions explaining how each scene represents the theme. This activity builds comprehension and analytical skills in a fun, creative way.
More Storyboard That Activities
My Side of the Mountain
Testimonials
“By using the product, they were so excited and they learned so much...”–K-5 Librarian and Instructinal Technology Teacher
“I'm doing a Napoleon timeline and I'm having [students] determine whether or not Napoleon was a good guy or a bad guy or somewhere in between.”–History and Special Ed Teacher
“Students get to be creative with Storyboard That and there's so many visuals for them to pick from... It makes it really accessible for all students in the class.”–Third Grade Teacher
© 2025 - Clever Prototypes, LLC - All rights reserved.
StoryboardThat is a trademark of Clever Prototypes, LLC, and Registered in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
