Theme images are illustrations of key concepts related to a thematic literature circle unit. Students select one word that represents a central concept important to the theme of the book. They illustrate the concept, weaving the word itself into the image in some way. Students then write an explanation of how the image and the word they've selected relate to the theme in a meaningful way.

The examples below are from a literature circle unit on the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. The students selected Swallowed by Injustice as the theme that tied the books together.

Click here to see a list of all of the books in this unit

"Relief" Based on The Eternal Spring of Mr. Ito by Margaret Garrigue	"Peace" Based on The Eternal Spring of Mr. Ito by Margaret Garrigue	"Darkness" Based on Return to Manzanar by Jeanne Watatsuki Houston

For more information on themes, go to the Themed Literature Unit web site

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