What is Your Child Learning?
Sixth graders learn to identify and analyze themes in literary texts (stories, poems, plays) and central ideas in informational texts (articles, essays). Both skills require understanding the author's deeper message and supporting that understanding with evidence from the text.
On Florida's FAST assessment, students must identify these elements and explain how authors develop them through specific details, events, and evidence.
Key Vocabulary
Theme (Literary): A universal message or insight about life conveyed in fiction, poetry, or drama
Central Idea (Informational): The main point or argument an author makes in nonfiction text
Topic: The subject in one or two words (courage, friendship) - NOT the same as theme
Supporting Details: Evidence from the text that develops or proves the theme/central idea
Textual Evidence: Specific quotes or references from the passage
Activities to Try at Home
📺 TV & Movie Theme Analysis
After watching a show or movie together, discuss the theme (it's a story, so we look for theme, not central idea):
- "What's this show/movie really about - not the plot, but the message?"
- "How did the main character change from beginning to end?"
- "What lesson did they learn? That's often the theme."
- "What events or scenes helped develop that message?"
Example: In many superhero movies, the theme isn't "fighting villains" - it's about responsibility, sacrifice, or identity.
📰 News Article Central Idea Hunt
When reading news articles (online or in print), practice identifying central ideas:
- "What is the ONE main point this article is making?"
- "What evidence does the author use to support that point?"
- "Why should readers care about this? What action might the author want?"
Tip: Headlines often hint at central ideas, but students need to read the whole article to fully understand and support their answer.
📚 Book Discussion Nights
When your child finishes a book (or you're reading one together), discuss theme development:
- "What message do you think the author wanted readers to take away?"
- "How did the main character's journey help reveal that message?"
- "What specific events or scenes were most important for developing the theme?"
- "Have you learned a similar lesson in your own life?"
🆚 Literary vs. Informational Sort
Practice distinguishing text types - this determines whether to look for theme or central idea:
- Look at different texts together (articles, short stories, poems, essays)
- Ask: "Is this literary (fiction) or informational (nonfiction)?"
- Literary = look for theme. Informational = look for central idea.
- Discuss: "How would we find the main message in each type?"
Questions to Ask While Reading
- For Literary Texts: "How is the main character different at the end than at the beginning?"
- For Literary Texts: "What lesson did the character learn from their struggles?"
- For Informational Texts: "What is the ONE main point the author is making?"
- For Informational Texts: "What evidence does the author use to support this point?"
- For Both: "Can you show me where in the text you found that?"
- For Both: "Why do you think the author wrote this? What did they want readers to understand?"
Parent Tip: Theme vs. Central Idea
Many students confuse these terms. Here's a simple guide:
THEME = Literary texts (stories, poems, plays) - A universal message about life
Example: "True courage means standing up for what's right even when it's difficult"
CENTRAL IDEA = Informational texts (articles, essays) - The main point the author makes
Example: "Climate change is affecting ocean ecosystems in measurable ways"
First identify the text type, then use the correct term!
Common Themes in Middle School Literature
Identity & Growth
- Being yourself leads to happiness
- Challenges help us discover who we are
- Growing up means making difficult choices
Relationships & Society
- True friendship requires sacrifice
- Standing up against injustice matters
- Understanding others builds community
Suggested Books for Theme Discussion
- "The Giver" by Lois Lowry - Themes: freedom, individuality, the cost of conformity
- "Refugee" by Alan Gratz - Themes: perseverance, humanity, hope amid crisis
- "The Outsiders" by S.E. Hinton - Themes: identity, belonging, seeing beyond stereotypes
- "Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry" by Mildred D. Taylor - Themes: dignity, family, facing injustice
- "A Long Walk to Water" by Linda Sue Park - Themes: resilience, the power of education, hope
- "Hatchet" by Gary Paulsen - Themes: survival, self-reliance, nature's lessons
Informacion para Padres (Spanish Summary)
Que esta aprendiendo su hijo? Los estudiantes de sexto grado aprenden a identificar TEMAS en textos literarios (cuentos, poemas) e IDEAS CENTRALES en textos informativos (articulos, ensayos).
Diferencia importante:
- Tema: Mensaje universal sobre la vida en textos de ficcion
- Idea Central: Punto principal que el autor hace en textos de no ficcion
Preguntas para hacer:
- Para textos literarios: "Como cambio el personaje principal? Que aprendio?"
- Para textos informativos: "Cual es el punto principal que el autor quiere comunicar?"
- Para ambos: "Puedes mostrarme donde en el texto encontraste esa informacion?"
Consejo: Primero identifique si el texto es literario o informativo - esto determina si buscar tema o idea central.