Now it's your turn to put all
the tips and tools together and show you know:
how to identify theme,
main idea, message
and their supporting details!
Instruction:
Travel
back in time and read this science fiction story. Written in
1951, long before you were born and before the Internet arrived
on the scene, it makes predictions about how technology would
be used in education. See which of the author's preditions
were accurate. Isaac Asimov is a well-known science fiction
writer.
Read The
Fun They Had, by Isaac Asimov. It is linked
to the book icon on the right. Check
out the question you will be answering to jump-start
your brain to look for connections as you read. This
gives your reading a purpose and activates your brain
cells!
While Reading: Take
notes on these topics as preparation for thinking about the
story's message.
What are the topics in the story? Here are a couple to get
you started: changes in school, mechanical teacher, attitudes
toward school . . . .
What do you think is
the main topic or idea?
Remember that theme is
a message the author wants to share with the reader and
it is usually a big idea about life or about people.
What is the author's
attitude in the story? His attitude might not be exactly
Margie's attitude, so look at things said, actions, the
title of the story, the closing statements. What does he
think
about the possible changes in education for example? Is
he excited, discouraged, concerned?
Do you think he wants
future students to learn with mechanical teachers? Or does
he value the old ways with real teachers and students?
Question:
What do you think the
author is telling readers in this story?
Yes
No
Maybe
Answers
A.
Technology does not always make life better.
B.
Computers can't replace real teachers and peers to make
learning fun and interesting.
C.
Mechanical teachers are more efficient and accurate and should
be used in the future.
D.
Children have changed and don't enjoy reading or learning
like they did in the past.
Is your answer A, B, C or D? Check for the correct answer.
