Description
This lesson is a great way to introduce students to theme in literature and help them understand how authors communicate universal themes across texts. Designed for middle school and early high school ELA classrooms, this resource builds a strong foundation for literary analysis and critical thinking.
Students begin with a presentation-based lesson that clearly explains what universal theme is and how to identify theme in stories and films. As the lesson progresses, students actively engage by completing cloze-style notes, allowing them to process information while staying focused and accountable during instruction.
Students then apply their understanding through practice questions that require them to identify theme in popular animated films, making the concept relatable and accessible. This approach helps students transfer their skills from familiar media to more complex literary texts.
This theme analysis lesson is ideal for introductory literature units, review lessons, sub plans, or as a scaffolded activity before deeper text analysis. It supports student understanding of theme, message, and author’s purpose, while encouraging discussion and thoughtful interpretation.