Activity Overview
A theme is a central idea, subject, or message in a story. Many stories have more than one important theme. For this activity, students will identify and illustrate the themes in The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane using a three cell spider map. Teachers may want the students to identify and illustrate 3 themes, one for each cell, or identify one theme, and show three examples of it, one example per cell.
Examples of Themes in The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
Love
The entire novel is about Edward learning to love. At the beginning, he only loves himself and is even annoyed by Abilene’s love for him. As he meets more people, he learns to love them as they love him.
Loss
Edward experiences a great deal of loss throughout his journey. Perhaps the most painful loss for him is Sarah Ruth, as he loved her so deeply.
Healing
Edward heals literally and figuratively many times throughout the novel. One example is when he first meets Lawrence after being in the ocean for so long. He is hurt that Abilene hasn’t found him, but feels safe and comfortable with Lawrence and Nellie.
Kindness
The people who take care of Edward show him a great deal of kindness. For example, when Bryce sees Edward hanging on the scarecrow pole, he rescues him and takes him to Sarah Ruth.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a storyboard that identifies recurring themes in The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. Illustrate instances of each theme and write a short description below each cell.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify the themes from The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane you wish to include and write them in the headings.
- Create an image for an example that represents this theme using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Write a short description of each of the examples.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Identify Theme(s) | All themes are correctly identified as important recurring topics or messages in the story. | Some themes are correctly identified, but others are missing or do not make sense with the story. | No themes are correctly identified. |
| Examples | All examples support the identified themes. Descriptions clearly say why examples are significant. | Most examples fit the identified themes. Descriptions say why examples are significant. | Most examples do not fit the identified themes. Descriptions are unclear. |
| Depiction | Storyboard cells clearly show connection with the themes and help with understanding. | Most storyboard cells help to show the themes, but some storyboard cells are difficult to understand. | Storyboard cells do not help in understanding the themes. |
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Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, The
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