Our focus today was on theme. Theme is the main idea of a literary work.

Students examined the theme of a poem, "Bears", and then we discussed the theme of "The Necklace" (from Monday).

Students then read the short story "The Gift of the Magi" and answered some questions on the story:
1. What are the 5 stages of the story's plot?
2. Choose one of the two main characters. Is this character round, flat, static, or dynamic. What is his or her personality? What is some evidence from the story that shows this personality?
3. What POV is this written in?
4. What is ironic about this story?
5. What is the theme of the story?