Comparing Themes of Two Stories Activity
This comparing themes of two stories activity for 3rd-5th grade turns story pairs into a fun matching game, with a graphic organizer, practice page, and answer key included.
$6.97
Want this one free?
Tell us where to send it and it’s yours — no card, no catch.
One free resource per teacher. We’ll also send free teaching ideas each week — unsubscribe anytime.
Free teacher account · no credit card
Membership
Get every game, song, & printable
- Every game, on any device
- 6,500+ resources
- Assign online with HFT Classroom
Then $39.97/year · cancel anytime · See plans
- Instant digital download
- Printable PDF + answer key
- Made by real teachers
Teacher / Family membership
Teaching is easier with every resource
One membership for your whole year: 6,500+ worksheets, games, songs and videos for Preschool–6th, for your classroom or homeschool.
- Unlimited printables & downloads
- Every game, on any device
- Assign online with HFT Classroom
- Cancel anytime
Teacher / Family membership · 3 days free
Yearly
Monthly would be $119.64 a year
$3.33/month
Billed $39.97 once a year
You save $79.67 every year
Start My 3 Free Days$0 today · cancel anytime
Monthly
$9.97/month
Flexible, month to month
Yearly is just $3.33/mo. Switch and save $79.67
Start My 3 Free Days$0 today · cancel anytime
About this resource
Description
The Comparing Themes of Two Stories Activity helps 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade readers see that two very different stories can teach the same big lesson. A theme is the message an author wants readers to learn, and comparing how two authors share one theme is a key reading skill in the upper elementary grades.
In this game, called Theme Twins, students read eight short story cards. Each fable has a “twin” realistic story that shares its theme. Students lay out six Theme Cards, read the stories with a partner, and place each pair of stories under the theme that fits. Two Theme Cards are tricky extras that match no story, so students must read closely. Then they choose one pair and complete the Theme Twins Chart to compare the characters, problems, and how each story shows the theme. A practice page with two new stories checks what they learned.
What’s Included
- Colorful cover page
- How to Use page with prep tips and game steps
- 8 Story Cards (fables and realistic stories)
- 6 lettered Theme Cards
- Theme Twins Chart graphic organizer
- 3rd grade practice worksheet with two stories and questions
- Answer keys for the cards, the chart, and the practice page
Why This Activity Helps Kids
First, short stories keep the reading load light, so students can spend their energy on thinking about the message. Second, pairing a fable with a realistic story shows that the same theme can appear in very different settings, which is exactly what reading standards ask students to notice. Third, the chart gives students a clear structure for explaining how each character shows the theme with details from the text.
Ideas for Teachers and Parents
Use this 3rd grade compare and contrast activity in a small reading group, at a literacy center, or as a partner game. Older students in 4th and 5th grade can write a short paragraph comparing the two stories after they finish the chart. At home, read two familiar stories together and talk about the lesson both of them teach. The Comparing Themes of Two Stories Activity also works well as a quick review before a reading test.
Related Resources
What teachers say
Reviews
Write a review, earn store credit
Get 25¢ in credit for every approved review of a resource you’ve downloaded, played or purchased — up to 15 a month. Credit applies automatically to your membership payments, so your reviews can help pay for your membership.
Honest reviews only — any star rating earns the same. Program rules
Log in to write a review and earn store credit.
This blank Venn diagram graphic organizer worksheet gives 3rd grade students two roomy circles and a shared middle for comparing any two topics, so their thinking is sorted out before they write.
This identifying theme activity helps 3rd to 5th grade students match short stories to their themes and back them up with text details. Answer key included.
This comparing and contrasting venn diagram worksheet has 3rd grade students sort eight facts about apples and oranges into a labeled Venn diagram, then write two comparison sentences. Answer key included.
This similes worksheet gives 3rd grade students practice completing, analyzing, and writing similes, with an illustrated prompt and an answer key included so every child can describe the world more vividly.
This Compare and Contrast Topics Graphic Organizer Worksheet gives 3rd graders a large Venn diagram to sort how two topics are alike and different. A flexible, no-prep reading tool for any two subjects at home or school.
A Florida FAST 3rd grade reading practice test workbook for teachers, with a pretest, skill practice for all 13 benchmarks, mixed review and 2 full-length practice tests. Answer key included, so test prep is ready to go.
Students read 12 short fable cards in this determining theme activity for 3rd to 5th Grade, match each to a theme, and cite a detail. Answer key included.
This endings worksheet helps 3rd grade students compare how two stories they have read end, explaining each ending and how the two are alike and different to build strong reading skills.
This compare and contrast across cultures activity helps 2nd-4th grade readers sort story details from two folk tales onto a Venn diagram. Answer key included.
This comparing two characters worksheet has 3rd graders sort facts about the tortoise and the hare into a Venn diagram and write a comparison, with an answer key included, to sharpen character analysis.
A Smarter Balanced (CAASPP / SBAC) 3rd grade ELA practice test workbook for teachers, with a pretest, skill practice for all 24 standards, mixed review and 2 full-length practice tests. Answer key included, so test prep is ready to go.
This beginnings worksheet helps 3rd grade readers describe how two stories they chose open, then explain how those beginnings are alike and different to strengthen story structure skills.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet