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 The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane using a three cell spider map. Teachers may want the students to identify and illustrate 3 themes, one for each cell, or identify one theme, and show three examples of it, one example per cell.
Examples of Themes in The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
Love
The entire novel is about Edward learning to love. At the beginning, he only loves himself and is even annoyed by Abilene’s love for him. As he meets more people, he learns to love them as they love him.
Loss
Edward experiences a great deal of loss throughout his journey. Perhaps the most painful loss for him is Sarah Ruth, as he loved her so deeply.
Healing
Edward heals literally and figuratively many times throughout the novel. One example is when he first meets Lawrence after being in the ocean for so long. He is hurt that Abilene hasn’t found him, but feels safe and comfortable with Lawrence and Nellie.
Kindness
The people who take care of Edward show him a great deal of kindness. For example, when Bryce sees Edward hanging on the scarecrow pole, he rescues him and takes him to Sarah Ruth.
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 recurring themes in The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. Illustrate instances of each theme and write a short description below each cell.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify the themes from The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane 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 The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane using a three cell spider map. Teachers may want the students to identify and illustrate 3 themes, one for each cell, or identify one theme, and show three examples of it, one example per cell.
Examples of Themes in The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
Love
The entire novel is about Edward learning to love. At the beginning, he only loves himself and is even annoyed by Abilene’s love for him. As he meets more people, he learns to love them as they love him.
Loss
Edward experiences a great deal of loss throughout his journey. Perhaps the most painful loss for him is Sarah Ruth, as he loved her so deeply.
Healing
Edward heals literally and figuratively many times throughout the novel. One example is when he first meets Lawrence after being in the ocean for so long. He is hurt that Abilene hasn’t found him, but feels safe and comfortable with Lawrence and Nellie.
Kindness
The people who take care of Edward show him a great deal of kindness. For example, when Bryce sees Edward hanging on the scarecrow pole, he rescues him and takes him to Sarah Ruth.
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 recurring themes in The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. Illustrate instances of each theme and write a short description below each cell.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify the themes from The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane 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 The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
Introduce the concept of theme with engaging examples
Begin by sharing relatable stories or classroom experiences to help students understand what a theme is. Use simple language and familiar tales so students can easily grasp this central idea that connects different parts of a story.
Guide students to brainstorm possible themes together
Encourage students to think aloud and list ideas they notice while reading. Write their suggestions on the board to foster a collaborative atmosphere and show that themes can vary based on personal interpretation.
Model identifying a theme using a passage from the novel
Select a short excerpt from The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane and demonstrate how to find clues about its theme. Highlight key words or actions that reveal the story’s message, making your thought process transparent for students.
Support students in connecting themes to their own experiences
Ask students to relate the story’s themes to events in their own lives. This builds empathy and helps them see the relevance of literature, making abstract ideas more concrete and meaningful.
Facilitate creative projects for theme exploration
Let students express their understanding of themes by drawing, writing, or acting out scenes. Offer choices like posters, storyboards, or skits to engage different learning styles and deepen comprehension.
Frequently Asked Questions about Themes in The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
What are the main themes in The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane?
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane explores themes of love, loss, healing, and kindness. The story follows Edward, a toy rabbit, as he learns to care for others, experiences heartbreak, and discovers the value of compassion through his adventures.
How can students identify and illustrate themes in The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane?
Students can use a three cell spider map to identify and illustrate themes. Each cell can show a different theme—like love, loss, or healing—or provide three examples of a single theme from the story, with images and short descriptions for each.
What is an example of loss in The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane?
One powerful example of loss is when Edward loses Sarah Ruth, a child he deeply loved. This moment marks a turning point for Edward, showing how experiencing loss can change and shape a character.
Why is love considered an important theme in The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane?
Love is central because Edward starts out only caring for himself, but through his journey and the people he meets, he learns how to love others and accept love in return. This transformation is a key message of the book.
What is the best way to teach key themes from The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane in a 4th or 5th grade classroom?
The best approach is to have students identify themes like love, loss, and kindness, then use storyboards or spider maps to illustrate scenes that represent each theme. This helps visual and written comprehension and makes abstract ideas more concrete.
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