💡 The theme is the big lesson or message in a story. It's what
the author wants you to learn.
Common Themes:
• Be kind to others • Hard work pays off • Be yourself • Friends help each
other • Don't give up • Honesty is important • Treat others how you want to be treated
The Boy Who Cried Wolf
A shepherd boy grew bored watching sheep, so he shouted, "Wolf! Wolf!" just to see the villagers come running. When they arrived and found no wolf, they were annoyed. The boy tried the same trick again, and again the villagers came for nothing. One day, a real wolf appeared, and the boy cried for help, but no one believed him this time. The wolf scattered the sheep, and the boy learned that lies make it hard for people to trust you.
Question
Your Answer
What is the theme/moral of this story?
Which character's actions best showed this theme?
What mistake did the other character make?
2 Match the Story to the Theme
🔗 Read each mini-story. Draw a line to the best theme.
Every time Grace broke a rule, she quickly admitted it and apologized instead of hiding it. Her teacher noticed and trusted her with more responsibilities.
Theo kept insisting he could learn to skateboard even after falling many times. By the end of summer, he could do tricks his friends couldn't.
Amir's shoes were three sizes too big because they were hand-me-downs, and some kids teased him. He kept wearing them proudly until the teasing stopped.
Honesty is always the best choice
Hard work and practice pay off
Be yourself — it's okay to be different
3 Find the Theme
📖 Read the story. Choose the BEST theme from the options.
The Whispering Game
During recess, a group of students played a game where a message was whispered from person to person down the line. By the time it reached the last student, the message was completely different from the original. The teacher explained that this happens with rumors too, changing every time someone repeats them. The students agreed to always check facts before spreading a story. From then on, fewer mix-ups happened on the playground.
A Whispering games are always fun.
B Checking facts before repeating a story prevents mix-ups.
C Recess should be shorter.
D Rumors are always true.
Why did you choose that answer?
4 Create a Story with a Theme
✍️ Choose a theme. Then write a short story (3–5 sentences) that teaches that
lesson.
Pick a ThemeDon't give upBe a good friendTell the truth
My theme:
5 SBA Performance Task: Extended Response
This section is like a performance task on the state test. Read carefully, find evidence, and write a complete response.
Question: What is the theme or lesson of this story? Use two details from the text to explain how the author develops this theme.
My claim or answer:
Evidence 1: (Quote or detail from the text)
Evidence 2: (Another quote or detail)
My explanation: (Connect the evidence to your claim in 2-3 sentences)
+ Bonus Reading Practice
Use this short practice to extend Set 4.
Topic words: museum, map, guide, fact
1. Write one sentence using two of the words above.
2. What detail would you expect to find in a passage about this topic?
3. Write one inference a reader could make from a text about this topic.