Themes, symbols, and motifs come alive when you use a storyboard. In this activity, students will identify a theme and support their choices with details from the text.
During the novel, several characters forgive others for the wrongs they committed. For example, Despereaux is sent into exile by his own father. Later, Despereaux returns and, seeing the tears in his father’s eyes, forgives him for this. A very different aspect of the same theme is revealed when Roscuro does not forgive Princess Pea for the evil look she gave him. This is especially important to the story because by not forgiving the princess, he is left with darkness inside himself that he is unable to repair. Finally though, at the end of the novel, Pea forgives Roscuro for kidnapping her and for accidentally killing her mother, and he is redeemed.
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Use This Assignment With My Students", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Create a storyboard that identifies themes in The Tale of Despereaux. Illustrate examples of each theme and write a short description below each cell.
Grade Level 4-5
Difficulty Level 3 (Developing to Mastery)
Type of Assignment Individual or Partner
Type of Activity: Themes, Symbols & Motifs
Common Core Standards
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Identify Theme(s) | All themes are correctly identified and described. | Some themes are correctly identified. | No themes are correctly identified. |
| Examples of Theme(s) | All examples support the identified theme(s). | Most examples fit the identified theme(s). | Most examples do not fit the theme(s). |
| Illustrate Theme | Images clearly show connection with the theme(s). | Some images help to show the theme. | Images do not help in understanding the theme. |
