Teaching main idea and theme can challenge students, as these concepts are tricky to grasp. Honestly, adults sometimes struggle with them too. I almost avoided creating this anchor chart or writing this blog post because I worried people might disagree with the information I’m sharing. However, I’ve noticed definite misunderstandings about theme and main idea in resources I’ve seen posted online. The most common issue involves practicing both theme and main idea with fiction and nonfiction texts. This practice is incorrect. Main idea applies to nonfiction, where the author uses facts and details to support it. In contrast, theme is a fiction skill, a message within the text that the author wants readers to carry with them or apply in their own lives.
Although this post might spark some debate, I decided to share my thoughts and knowledge. Maybe after reading this post, when a student asks, “What’s the difference between main idea and theme?” you’ll have the tools to make these abstract concepts more concrete for your students by creating a visual anchor chart. This chart will not only serve as a reference tool for your students but also provide a structured way to break down these ideas.
In this blog post, I’ll guide you step-by-step on how to create an anchor chart that clearly outlines the differences between main idea and theme. Using the digital version of my theme vs. main idea anchor chart, I’ll show you how to design your chart. You can grab my main idea vs. theme anchor chart resource from my TPT store to save valuable lesson planning and prep time.
Step 1: Set the Stage for Your Lesson
Introduce the concepts of main idea and theme to your students. Here’s an example script:
Teacher: Today, I want to teach you about the differences between main idea and theme. Many people find it hard to remember what makes each of these concepts unique, but we’ll review the key differences so you’ll know when and where to look for each one.
Reveal the title of your anchor chart: Main Idea vs. Theme. Add engaging graphics, such as karate figures or Rock Em Sock Em Robots, to visually represent the idea of two similar but distinct concepts. This approach will grab your students’ attention and set a playful tone for the lesson.
Step 2: Define Main Idea
Explain that the main idea tells what the text is mostly about. Explain to students that the main idea can usually be summarized in a single sentence, often directly from the text.
Add this to the anchor chart: Main idea can be told in a sentence.
Step 3: Define Theme
Describe theme as the lesson, message, or moral the author wants readers to take away from the story. Unlike main idea, the theme is inferred based on the story’s events and characters. Authors do not explicitly state themes; readers must infer them.
Add this to the anchor chart: Theme must be inferred.
Step 4: Use Fiction vs. Nonfiction to Differentiate
Help students differentiate between theme and main idea by teaching them to identify whether the text is fiction or nonfiction. Knowing the type of text guides students to focus on either the main idea or the theme.
Add these notes to the chart:
- Main idea is found in nonfiction.
- Theme is found in fiction.
Step 5: Highlight Specificity vs. Universality
Emphasize that the main idea is specific to the text and supported by its details, while the theme is a universal concept that applies to other stories or real-life situations.
Add to the chart:
- Main idea is specific to the text.
- Theme is universal.
For example, “Jealousy can tear a friendship apart” is a theme that could apply to many books and life situations.
Step 6: Tie It All Together
Review the completed anchor chart with your students. Encourage them to use the chart as a reference tool when identifying main ideas and themes in future texts.
Make It Easy with a Ready-to-Use Resource
Save time and ensure your anchor chart is visually engaging and effective with my Main Idea vs. Theme Anchor Chart and Interactive Notebook Pages in my TPT store. This resource includes pre-designed anchor charts, step-by-step lesson plans, and interactive notebook pages to help your students master these concepts.
This resource provides everything you need to teach main idea and theme effectively while saving precious prep time.
Final Thoughts
Helping students understand the differences between main idea and theme doesn’t have to feel daunting. By creating a clear, engaging anchor chart and using targeted teaching strategies, you can equip your students with the tools they need to succeed.
