💡 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 Crow and the Pitcher
A thirsty crow found a pitcher with a little water at the bottom, too low for his beak to reach. Instead of giving up, the crow gathered small pebbles and dropped them into the pitcher one by one. Slowly, the water rose higher until the crow could finally drink. His patience and clever thinking solved a problem that seemed impossible at first.
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.
When Ella's science experiment failed twice, she changed her approach instead of quitting and finally found a method that worked perfectly.
A group of students noticed the school garden needed watering during a hot week. They took turns bringing water every morning before the bell rang.
Instead of copying his friends' popular haircuts, Theo kept his unusual style, and eventually his classmates admired his originality.
Creative thinking can solve tricky problems
Kindness matters, even in small moments
Be yourself — it's okay to be different
3 Find the Theme
📖 Read the story. Choose the BEST theme from the options.
The Stuck Wheel
A wagon wheel got stuck in the mud during a school fundraiser, and everyone tried pushing it the same way without success. One student suggested placing flat boards under the wheel for traction instead of just pushing harder. The idea worked, and the wagon rolled free within minutes. The group learned that trying a new approach can solve a problem that brute force cannot.
A Pushing harder always solves problems.
B Trying a new approach can succeed where force alone fails.
C Wagons should never be used at fundraisers.
D Mud is impossible to escape.
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 8.
Topic words: trail, sign, tree, path
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.