💡 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 Dog and Its Reflection
A dog carrying a juicy bone crossed a bridge over a stream. Looking down, he saw his own reflection and mistook it for another dog holding an even bigger bone. Greedy for more, he opened his mouth to snap at the reflection's bone, and his own bone fell into the water and was lost forever. The dog learned that being greedy can cause you to lose what you already have.
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.
Instead of hoarding all the class supplies for herself, Ines shared extra glue sticks with a table that had run out.
Omar wanted a bigger role in the school play but was cast in a smaller part. He worked hard on his lines anyway, and his performance was praised as the funniest part of the show.
Zara kept her unusual hobby of collecting rocks even though classmates found it odd, and eventually she started a rock club that many kids joined.
Being content with what you have brings happiness
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 Full Plate
At the school potluck, Marcus piled his plate so high with food that some of it spilled onto the floor before he even sat down. His friend took a modest portion and enjoyed every bite without any mess. Marcus realized he had wasted food by taking more than he could actually eat. Next time, he decided to take a smaller portion first and go back for more only if he was still hungry.
A Taking more food always tastes better.
B Taking only what you need can prevent waste.
C Potlucks should be canceled.
D Plates should always be small.
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 9.
Topic words: market, basket, fruit, price
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.