Activity Overview
Themes, symbols, and motifs come alive when you use a storyboard. The theme provides a moral to the story and is the central idea behind the text. Through analyzing themes, students can delve deeper into the text’s meaning and apply the moral to their own lives. In this activity, students will identify a theme of The Black Stallion and support it with evidence from the text.
Example Themes from The Black Stallion
Survival
“If the stallion was alive, he was going to set him free and give him his chance to fight for life.”
“He only knew that he had had his choice of remaining in the water alone or being pulled by the Black. If he was to die, he would rather die with the mighty stallion than alone.”
“The days passed and the boy strove desperately to find food to keep himself alive; he caught only one more fish - it would be impossible for him to depend upon the sea for his living.”
Friendship
“He put the sugar in the palm of his hand and hesitantly held it out to the stallion.”
“You just have to take us both, Captain! I can’t leave him!”
“Alec took his handkerchief and wrapped it around the Black’s leg to try to stop the bleeding.”
Other possible themes include: determination, kindness, companionship, and love.
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 recurring themes in The Black Stallion. Illustrate instances of each theme and write a short description below each cell.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify the theme(s) from The Black Stallion you wish to include and replace the "Theme 1" text.
- Create an image for examples that represent 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
Themes, symbols, and motifs come alive when you use a storyboard. The theme provides a moral to the story and is the central idea behind the text. Through analyzing themes, students can delve deeper into the text’s meaning and apply the moral to their own lives. In this activity, students will identify a theme of The Black Stallion and support it with evidence from the text.
Example Themes from The Black Stallion
Survival
“If the stallion was alive, he was going to set him free and give him his chance to fight for life.”
“He only knew that he had had his choice of remaining in the water alone or being pulled by the Black. If he was to die, he would rather die with the mighty stallion than alone.”
“The days passed and the boy strove desperately to find food to keep himself alive; he caught only one more fish - it would be impossible for him to depend upon the sea for his living.”
Friendship
“He put the sugar in the palm of his hand and hesitantly held it out to the stallion.”
“You just have to take us both, Captain! I can’t leave him!”
“Alec took his handkerchief and wrapped it around the Black’s leg to try to stop the bleeding.”
Other possible themes include: determination, kindness, companionship, and love.
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 recurring themes in The Black Stallion. Illustrate instances of each theme and write a short description below each cell.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify the theme(s) from The Black Stallion you wish to include and replace the "Theme 1" text.
- Create an image for examples that represent 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 in The Black Stallion
Incorporate theme discussions into daily reading routines
Connect your reading sessions with short, focused conversations about major themes. This helps students make personal connections and deepens their understanding as the story unfolds.
Use anchor charts to track recurring themes
Create a classroom anchor chart where students can add evidence and examples of themes as they read. This visual reference reinforces learning and encourages active participation.
Facilitate small group theme hunts
Divide students into small groups and assign each group a theme to find supporting examples for. Sharing findings boosts engagement and discussion skills.
Guide students to connect themes to real-world experiences
Ask students to relate story themes—like survival or friendship—to situations in their own lives. This personalizes learning and encourages empathy and reflection.
Celebrate theme mastery with creative projects
Invite students to create posters, skits, or digital slideshows that showcase their understanding of a theme. Creative projects allow students to express comprehension in fun, memorable ways.
Frequently Asked Questions about Themes in The Black Stallion
What are the main themes in The Black Stallion?
The Black Stallion features key themes such as survival, friendship, determination, kindness, companionship, and love. These themes help students connect the story to real-life values and moral lessons.
How can students identify themes in The Black Stallion?
Students can identify themes by looking for recurring ideas, actions, or dialogue in the text. Using a storyboard helps visually organize these moments and supports theme analysis with evidence from the story.
What is a quick activity to teach themes in The Black Stallion for grades 4-5?
Have students create a storyboard that highlights examples of a chosen theme from The Black Stallion. They should illustrate key scenes and write brief descriptions explaining how each scene relates to the theme.
Why is analyzing themes important when reading The Black Stallion?
Analyzing themes helps students deepen their understanding of the text, connect with characters, and apply the story's moral lessons to their own lives.
What are some examples of survival and friendship in The Black Stallion?
Examples of survival include Alec striving to find food and choosing to face danger with the stallion. Friendship is shown when Alec cares for the Black, shares sugar, and refuses to leave him behind.
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