Characters and the Lesson of a Story
Start Here
Today you will read a short story.
Then you will find the lesson the story teaches.
Use a pencil. Work by yourself. Do your best!
Every answer is in the story. You can look back any time.
You may read the story softly out loud. If a question is hard, skip it and come back.
Start Look & Think 5 min
Look at the title first. Do not read the story yet.
1The story is called "The Lost Mitten." What might happen in this story? Write one guess.
2A lesson is what a story teaches us. Write one lesson you know, like "be kind."
Build Read the Story 10 min
Words to know
- chilly
- a little cold.
- notice
- to see something.
- grateful
- happy that someone helped you.
"The Lost Mitten" — an original short story
[1] It was a chilly morning. Sam walked to school with his hands deep in his coat. On the sidewalk he saw a small red mitten. It did not belong to him.
[2] Sam was in a hurry. He wanted to get to class and play with his friends before the bell rang. "Someone else will find it," he thought. He kept walking. But he could not help it — he looked back at the little mitten sitting all alone in the snow.
[3] Then Sam stopped. He remembered how sad he felt last week when he lost his own hat. He turned around and picked up the mitten. It was tiny, like it came from a little kid.
[4] Sam took the mitten to the school office. A young boy named Theo was there. Theo was crying because his hands were cold. When Theo saw the red mitten, he smiled big. It was his!
[5] Theo was so grateful. "Thank you!" he said. Sam felt warm inside, even on the chilly day. Being a little late was worth it. He learned that helping someone feels better than hurrying.
3In part [1], what does Sam find on the sidewalk?
Apply Read Closely 15 min
Every answer is in the story. Look back before you write.
4Retell the story. Write the beginning, middle, and end. Keep each one short.
5The main character. Sam is the main character. Pick a feeling word for Sam at the end. Then tell why, using a detail.
6The lesson. What lesson does the story teach? Write it as one sentence.
7Which sentence shows the lesson? Fill in the circle for ONE choice.
- "It was a chilly morning."
- "He turned around and picked up the mitten."
- "Sam wanted to get to class and play."
- "On the sidewalk he saw a small red mitten."
Explain Write the Lesson 10 min
Question 8. Write the lesson in one sentence. Then write one detail that shows it. Last, tell how it shows the lesson.
You may start with: "The lesson is…" · "In the story…" · "This shows the lesson because…"
Close ACE Wrap-Up 5 min
Say the lesson of the story in your own words. One sentence.
Name one part [1]–[5] where you see the lesson.
Tell about a time you helped someone.
Continue Early Finisher optional · ~15 min
Draw the main character, Sam. Draw him on the back of this page. Then write one caption under your drawing that tells what Sam is doing.