Al Capone Does My Shirts: Themes & Symbols Analysis

Q: What are the main themes in Al Capone Does My Shirts?

Al Capone Does My Shirts explores major themes such as family , friendship , autism , isolation , rules and law , and duty against the backdrop of Alcatraz during the Great Depression.

Q: How can students identify symbols and motifs in Al Capone Does My Shirts?

Students can spot symbols and motifs by looking for repeated objects, phrases, or ideas—like the Button Box or baseball —and discussing their deeper meaning in the story's context.

Q: What is the envelope activity for teaching themes and symbols?

The envelope activity involves giving students specific themes, symbols, or motifs to track as they read, helping them focus attention and discover examples throughout the novel.

Q: Why is autism an important theme in Al Capone Does My Shirts?

Autism is central because Moose's sister Natalie has autism, and her experiences shape the family's challenges and highlight themes of acceptance, empathy, and advocacy throughout the novel.

Q: What is a spider map and how does it help analyze literature?

A spider map is a graphic organizer where students place a central idea (like a theme or symbol) in the center and branch out with examples and descriptions, making analysis of literature more visual and organized.

Al Capone Does My Shirts Themes, Symbols and Motifs

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Lesson Plan Overview

Template and Class Instructions

Student Rubric

Lesson Plan Overview

There are many themes, symbols, and motifs present throughout the novel Al Capone Does My Shirts. In this activity, students will identify themes, symbols, and motifs in Al Capone Does My Shirts and illustrate examples from the text. Students can explore by identifying these elements themselves or in an “envelope activity”, where they are given one or more to track throughout their reading. Then, they'll create a spider map illustrating what they found!

Examples of Themes, Symbols and Motifs in Al Capone Does My Shirts

Family
Friendship
Autism
The Great Depression
Alcatraz
Isolation
Duty
Love
Guilt
Choices
Rules / Law and Order
Risk Taking
Manipulation
The Button Box
The Convict Baseball

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Template and Class Instructions

(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)

Due Date:

Objective: Create a storyboard that identifies recurring themes, symbols, or motifs found in Al Capone Does My Shirts. Illustrate each and write a short description below each cell.

Student Instructions:

Click "Start Assignment".
Identify the themes, symbols, or motifs from Al Capone Does My Shirts you wish to include and type them in the title box at the top.
Create an image for examples that represent each symbol using appropriate scenes, characters and items.
Write a description of each of the examples in the black text box.

Spider Diagram Template with 3 Empty Boxes

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Lesson Plan Reference

Grade Level 6-8

Difficulty Level 3 (Developing to Mastery)

Type of Assignment Individual

Type of Activity: Themes, Symbols & Motifs

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Student Rubric

(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)

Symbolism

Create a storyboard that identifies symbolism in the story. Illustrate instances of each and write a short description that explains the example's significance.

	Proficient	Emerging	Beginning
Identify Symbol(s)	All symbols are correctly identified as objects that represent something else at a higher level in the story.	Most symbols are correctly identified, but some objects are missing or are incorrectly identified as significant symbols.	No symbols are correctly identified.
Examples	All examples support the identified symbols. Descriptions clearly say why examples are significant.	Most examples fit the identified symbols. Descriptions say why examples are significant.	Most examples do not fit the identified symbols. Descriptions are unclear.
Depiction	Storyboard cells clearly show connection with the symbols and help with understanding.	Most storyboard cells help to show the symbols but some storyboard cells are difficult to understand.	Storyboard cells do not help in understanding the symbols.

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Lesson Plan Overview

Examples of Themes, Symbols and Motifs in Al Capone Does My Shirts

Family
Friendship
Autism
The Great Depression
Alcatraz
Isolation
Duty
Love
Guilt
Choices
Rules / Law and Order
Risk Taking
Manipulation
The Button Box
The Convict Baseball

Copy Activity

Template and Class Instructions

(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)

Due Date:

Objective: Create a storyboard that identifies recurring themes, symbols, or motifs found in Al Capone Does My Shirts. Illustrate each and write a short description below each cell.

Student Instructions:

Click "Start Assignment".
Identify the themes, symbols, or motifs from Al Capone Does My Shirts you wish to include and type them in the title box at the top.
Create an image for examples that represent each symbol using appropriate scenes, characters and items.
Write a description of each of the examples in the black text box.

More options

Copy This Storyboard

Lesson Plan Reference

Grade Level 6-8

Difficulty Level 3 (Developing to Mastery)

Type of Assignment Individual

Type of Activity: Themes, Symbols & Motifs

Copy Activity

Student Rubric

(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)

Symbolism

Create a storyboard that identifies symbolism in the story. Illustrate instances of each and write a short description that explains the example's significance.

	Proficient	Emerging	Beginning
Identify Symbol(s)	All symbols are correctly identified as objects that represent something else at a higher level in the story.	Most symbols are correctly identified, but some objects are missing or are incorrectly identified as significant symbols.	No symbols are correctly identified.
Examples	All examples support the identified symbols. Descriptions clearly say why examples are significant.	Most examples fit the identified symbols. Descriptions say why examples are significant.	Most examples do not fit the identified symbols. Descriptions are unclear.
Depiction	Storyboard cells clearly show connection with the symbols and help with understanding.	Most storyboard cells help to show the symbols but some storyboard cells are difficult to understand.	Storyboard cells do not help in understanding the symbols.

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How Tos about Themes, Symbols, & Motifs in Al Capone Does My Shirts

Incorporate theme and symbol analysis into group discussions

Divide students into small groups and assign each a different theme or symbol from Al Capone Does My Shirts. This approach encourages collaboration and helps students gain deeper insights by sharing perspectives with classmates.

Guide students to find textual evidence for their assigned theme or symbol

Ask each group to find at least two passages in the book that showcase their assigned theme or symbol. Providing direct quotes strengthens their understanding and supports their analysis with concrete examples.

Facilitate creative group presentations

Have each group create a short presentation—such as a skit, poster, or digital slide—that explains their theme or symbol and shares their evidence. This step makes learning fun and builds confidence in sharing ideas.

Encourage peer feedback with guided questions

Invite classmates to ask questions or give compliments after each presentation. Use prompts like, “How does this theme connect to another part of the story?” This fosters active listening and helps students make deeper connections.

Wrap up with a reflective class discussion

Lead the class in a discussion about which themes or symbols were most significant or surprising. Encourage students to share how their understanding changed through the group work. This closes the activity with meaningful reflection.

Frequently Asked Questions about Themes, Symbols, & Motifs in Al Capone Does My Shirts

What are the main themes in Al Capone Does My Shirts?

Al Capone Does My Shirts explores major themes such as family, friendship, autism, isolation, rules and law, and duty against the backdrop of Alcatraz during the Great Depression.

How can students identify symbols and motifs in Al Capone Does My Shirts?

Students can spot symbols and motifs by looking for repeated objects, phrases, or ideas—like the Button Box or baseball—and discussing their deeper meaning in the story's context.

What is the envelope activity for teaching themes and symbols?

The envelope activity involves giving students specific themes, symbols, or motifs to track as they read, helping them focus attention and discover examples throughout the novel.

Why is autism an important theme in Al Capone Does My Shirts?

Autism is central because Moose's sister Natalie has autism, and her experiences shape the family's challenges and highlight themes of acceptance, empathy, and advocacy throughout the novel.

What is a spider map and how does it help analyze literature?

A spider map is a graphic organizer where students place a central idea (like a theme or symbol) in the center and branch out with examples and descriptions, making analysis of literature more visual and organized.