Activity Overview
Themes, symbols, and motifs come alive when you use a Storyboard. In this activity, students will identify a theme of The Birchbark House and support it with evidence from the text.
One theme is "the relationship between humans and nature”:
- Omakayas calls the bear cubs her brothers and speaks to the mother bear, who leaves her unharmed.
- Omakayas asks the bears to teach her about their medicines.
- When Omakayas and her family are near starvation, Nokomis dreams of a dear. She speaks to Deydey about this dream, who then finds the deer, killing it for food.
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 a theme in The Birchbark House. Illustrate examples and write a short description below each cell.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify a theme in the story and write it on the row.
- Find three examples of the theme in the text and describe one in each cell.
- Illustrate each example with appropriate characters, scenes, and items.
- Click "Save & Exit" when 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 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
Themes, symbols, and motifs come alive when you use a Storyboard. In this activity, students will identify a theme of The Birchbark House and support it with evidence from the text.
One theme is "the relationship between humans and nature”:
- Omakayas calls the bear cubs her brothers and speaks to the mother bear, who leaves her unharmed.
- Omakayas asks the bears to teach her about their medicines.
- When Omakayas and her family are near starvation, Nokomis dreams of a dear. She speaks to Deydey about this dream, who then finds the deer, killing it for food.
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 a theme in The Birchbark House. Illustrate examples and write a short description below each cell.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify a theme in the story and write it on the row.
- Find three examples of the theme in the text and describe one in each cell.
- Illustrate each example with appropriate characters, scenes, and items.
- Click "Save & Exit" when 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 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 The Birchbark House Themes
Engage students with a nature journal activity connected to story themes
Connect your class to the story’s nature theme by having students keep a nature journal, just like Omakayas observes and learns from her surroundings in The Birchbark House. This helps students notice patterns and reflect on their relationship with nature throughout your reading unit.
Introduce the nature journal with a short outdoor walk
Take students outside for 10–15 minutes, encouraging them to quietly observe plants, animals, and weather. Ask guiding questions about sounds, smells, and sights so they focus on details like Omakayas does in the novel.
Model how to record detailed observations and feelings
Demonstrate journaling by writing your own observation on the board. Include descriptions (e.g., “I spotted a robin hopping in the grass” or “The air smelled crisp and earthy”). Encourage students to add their own thoughts or questions about what they notice.
Connect journal entries to story themes during reading discussions
Invite students to share a journal entry each week and relate their observations to the book’s theme of humans and nature. Highlight similarities between students’ experiences and Omakayas’s relationship with the natural world.
Celebrate student insights with a class nature display
Create a bulletin board or digital slideshow for students to showcase their favorite journal entries and illustrations. This reinforces their learning and builds classroom community around the story’s key themes.
Frequently Asked Questions about The Birchbark House Themes
What is the main theme of The Birchbark House?
The main theme of The Birchbark House is the relationship between humans and nature. The story highlights how Omakayas and her family respect, learn from, and rely on nature for survival and wisdom.
How can students identify themes in The Birchbark House?
Students can identify themes by looking for recurring ideas or messages throughout the story. They should find specific examples and evidence in the text that support the chosen theme.
What are some examples of the nature theme in The Birchbark House?
Examples include Omakayas calling bear cubs her brothers, asking bears for knowledge about medicine, and Nokomis's dream of a deer leading to food for the family. These moments show deep connections with nature.
What is a storyboard activity for teaching themes in The Birchbark House?
A storyboard activity asks students to illustrate scenes and write short descriptions that show examples of a theme, helping them visualize and explain key ideas from the book.
Why is teaching about themes, symbols, and motifs important in elementary literature?
Teaching about themes, symbols, and motifs helps students develop critical thinking by connecting story elements to bigger ideas, making reading more meaningful and engaging.
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