Identify Theme  Comprehension Lessons »  Explain Choose a fairy
tale and read a version of it aloud. If, for instance, you are
reading a version of “Cinderella” you might say, The theme of
this story is that a person whom some people see as very lowly
might really be very beautiful and worthwhile. Even though
Cinderella is treated very badly by her stepmother and
stepsisters, she is such a beautiful person that the Prince
falls in love with her at the ball and searches all over the
kingdom for her.  Guided Practice Retell another fairy tale,
such as “The Frog Prince,” where someone gets transformed
through a special process. Ask questions that will help students
identify the theme, such as What is the hero or heroine like at
the beginning of the story? What is this person like at the end?
How is the transition made? What can you learn from this?
Practice Ask students to name other fairy tales or similar
stories that they know. Write the titles on the board and help
students to identify the theme of each of t