Using Bluey to Master the Art of Theme Analysis

Let’s be honest: teaching students how to write a formal analytical paragraph can sometimes feel like pulling teeth.

However, I’ve found a secret weapon that turns "I don't get it" into "Can we write another one?": Bluey.

This lesson is a great way to put the theoretical learning of analytical writing into practice in a way that students feel in control.

The episode “Bike” is a masterclass in storytelling and a perfect vehicle for teaching thematic messages. By watching these relatable characters navigate frustration, students can bridge the gap between watching a show and writing a high-level literary analysis.

Phase 1: Watch and Record

Before students even think about their paragraph, they need a solid foundation. While watching "Bike," students fill out a graphic organizer that tracks three different characters—Muffin, Bentley, and Bingo.

By tracking these specific elements, students aren't just summarizing; they are identifying the "meat" of the story that will later become their evidence:

• The Goal: What does the character want?

• The Obstacle: What is standing in their way?

• The Initial Reaction: How do they handle failure?

• The Success: How do they ultimately overcome the challenge?

  
  

Phase 2: The TEEAL Structure

Writing a paragraph with three pieces of evidence can be daunting. To help, we use a TEEAL framework. This ensures students include every necessary component for a "meaty" analysis:

• T (Topic Sentence): State the thematic message clearly (e.g., "In the Bluey episode 'Bike', the audience learns....").

• E (Establish Evidence): Introduce the character/situation/context

• E (Evidence): Describe the specific struggle (e.g., Muffin’s awkward backpack straps).

• A (Analysis): Explain how this struggle supports the theme.

• ...Repeat for characters two and three.

• L (Link): A final sentence that ties all ideas together and emphasizes why the lesson matters.

  
  

Why It Works

This activity works because it meets students where they are. Using the struggles of characters like Bentley, who feels defeated by her height, or Bingo, who initially wants to give up at the water fountain, makes the concept of "theme" concrete.

By the time they reach the "Link" sentence, they’ve successfully argued that obstacles are only permanent if you stop trying. It’s rigorous, it’s evidence-based, and most importantly, it’s fun.