The learner will:

• know the difference between a theme, a moral and a topic in regard to literature.
  
  
• be able to identify the theme of a children's story.
  
  
• speculate on the reasons for an individual's philanthropy in the children's story "The Cello of Mr. O."
  
  Instructor Note: Address the reasons for individual philanthropy. You can incorporate enlightened self-interest, altruism, egoism and seven motivations for giving and serving.
  Visit www.learningtogive.org to access additional lessons, Vocabulary (click on Resource Room) and themes.
  Before you begin the lesson, inform the learners they will need a children's picture book of their choice. They may select one from home or library.

Anticipatory Set:

Ask students to raise their hands if they can define "theme" as it relates to literature. Have students volunteer answers. If volunteers define theme using the words "lesson," "moral," or "topic," explain that there is a difference between theme, topic, and moral and that they will learn or review the difference in this lesson by reading two children's books. As the terms develop, write the terms on the board and the definition or description under the term with an example beneath.

• Give students the following definition of theme: the perception about life or human nature that the writer shares with the reader. It is usually not stated directly, but must be inferred. Guide the students to develop a definition, which can progress to your statement, "Let us take these great ideas and form a definition." Their contributions can then be summarized to the above definition. A successful technique with younger learners, evolving to a definition is an excellent tool at the high school level, as well. The concepts of "moral" and "topic" are not yet discussed.
  
  
• Read the book, The Cello of Mr. O, by Jane Cutler out loud to the class.
  
  
• Hand out Attachment One: Theme, Moral and Topic and have students identify possible theme statements for The Cello of Mr. O. Discuss possible reasons why Mr. O risks his life everyday to play music for the town. (Instruct the students to keep notes of this discussion for reference in future lessons of this unit.)
  
  
• Each student will read a children's picture book of his/her choice and write a theme statement for that book. Then have volunteers share their statements with the class. Have the class evaluate these statements to make sure they are not topics or morals. Let the volunteers revise their statements if necessary before the theme statements are turned in for evaluation.
  Instructor Note: If time allow, you may want to also ask to share the topic or moral of their stories.

• Cutler, Jane. The Cello of Mr. O. Dutton Books, 1999. ISBN: 0525461191