Getting caught up on the overflow in my Google Reader while I wait for this baby to arrive! Earlier this month, Stenhouse’s Quick Tip Tuesday focused on Finding the Main Idea in fiction texts. It showcases ideas from Amy Greene and Glennon Doyle Melton in their book Test Talk: Integrating Test Preparation into Reading Workshop.

I like the explicit way Glennon introduces the main idea to her students while reading Thank You, Mr. Falker (what a tear-jerker, by the way). And it immediately brought to mind another teacher’s way of teaching theme in her classroom. Years ago, I stumbled upon Beth Newingham’s third grade classroom web site and was completely in awe. Even better than how she showcases her students’ learning on the site, is how she pulls back the curtain to share her ideas and resources with other teachers. She too, introduces theme to third graders by keeping universal theme posters in her room and assigning books to those themes throughtout the school year. I think this is a really nice way to introduce this complex idea to third graders. It’s especially powerful as a year-long study. Check out all the great resources on her site  - there’s lots to explore!