Finding the Theme Worksheets with Six Fiction Practice Passages

Do your students struggle with identifying the theme of a story? Theme can be a challenging skill for students to master. Students need lots of practice to become proficient in this area. These no-prep theme worksheets are ready to go for you. Just print and go! This packet of theme worksheets consists of six reading passages. Students must read the story and then identify the theme. Any of these passages can also be used as an assessment! This worksheet packet was designed for students in 4th through 6th grade.

This packet contains passages with various lengths and tasks:

• Two worksheets conclude with the multiple-choice question, "Which of the following statements best expresses the main theme of this passage?".
• Two worksheets conclude with an open-ended question, "In the space below, write a sentence that explains the major theme of this story."
• Two worksheets contain both a multiple-choice question and an open-ended question.

With six unique passages, this packet is ideal for teachers who wish to use a scaffolded approach, like the "I Do, We Do, You Do" teaching strategy. You can complete one or two worksheets as a class or small group, and then have the students complete the remaining worksheets independently.

Answer keys are provided. I also included alternate versions that do not have clip art.

********This resource is available in TWO FORMATS:

1. Traditional Printables- Print the PDF and distribute paper copies to your students to complete.
2. Easel Activity- I created a new, colorful version for this digital format. Students can complete this activity on a device. Students read each passage and identify the major theme of the passage. Some questions require students to answer by typing complete sentences in text boxes. Other questions have a multiple-choice format, and students type their answer (A, B, C, or D) in the thought bubble.

Here's what teachers like you had to say about using these worksheets with their students:

⭐️ Megan W. said, "My students loved this resource and were engaged as we determined the theme. Loved this resource and how easy it was for my students to grasp the concept!"

⭐️ Teaching Done Right said, "Students were having a hard time identifying theme prior to using this resource. These were just right and helped them build confidence."

⭐️ Lauren F. said, "Theme can be a tough concept for kids to get, but this definitely helped! Very nice!"

⭐️ Brenda M. said, "This was a great resource to introduce and practice theme. The readings were quick, but engaging. Students were able to practice many facets of theme: Text evidence to support theme, secondary theme, multiple choice vs. developing theme on own. Loved it!"

Feel free to check out my other resources for teaching about themes in literature:

Theme Filled Cupcakes Craftivity: including 4 passages!

Theme: Targeted Tri-folds

Theme Task Cards (16 passages with two options for responses)

Teaching Theme: An Introduction PowerPoint

Theme Filled Cupcakes for Valentine’s Day

Copyright by Deb Hanson

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