Theme and Summary in a Short Story
Start Here
Today you will read a short story and answer some questions with a pencil. You do not need a computer. Work by yourself and do your best. Every answer is in the story, so you can look back as many times as you want. You may read the story out loud, quietly, to yourself. If a question is hard, skip it and come back later.
Start Notice & Predict 5 min
Look only at the title before you read the story.
1The story is called "The Seed Jar." From the title, write one thing you notice and one thing you predict the story is about.
2A theme is the big idea or lesson of a story — not just what happens. Name one lesson you have learned from a book, show, or real life (for example, "sharing feels good").
Build Read the Story 10 min
Words to know (from the story)
- patient
- calm and willing to wait.
- sprout
- a tiny new plant just starting to grow.
- gloomy
- sad or without hope.
- proud
- happy about something you did well.
"The Seed Jar" — an original short story
[1] Rosa did not like waiting. When Grandpa handed her a jar of bean seeds and a small pot, she frowned. "How long until it grows?" she asked. "Be patient," Grandpa said with a smile. But patient was not a word Rosa liked.
[2] Rosa planted one bean, watered it, and set the pot on the windowsill. The next morning she ran to look. Nothing. Just dark dirt. She felt gloomy. "It's broken," she said, and she almost dumped the pot in the trash.
[3] "Growing things takes time you can't see," Grandpa said. "The seed is working under the dirt, even when you think nothing is happening." Rosa was not sure she believed him. She wanted the plant to hurry. But she kept watering the pot every morning before school and every night before bed. Some days she wanted to quit and do something more fun. Still, she did not throw the pot away.
[4] On the sixth day, a tiny green sprout pushed up through the dirt. Rosa gasped and leaned close. It was small and bent, but it was alive. She had almost given up on it, and here it was, reaching for the light. She watered it very gently and told Grandpa the good news.
[5] By the end of the month, the bean plant was tall enough to lean on a stick. Rosa showed it to Grandpa and felt proud. "You were right," she said. "The best part was waiting," Grandpa answered. Rosa did not fully agree — but now she knew that good things could grow slowly, and she could wait for them.
3In paragraph [1], how does Rosa feel about waiting? Use a detail from the story.
Apply Read Closely 15 min
Every answer is in the story. Look back before you write.
4Beginning, middle, end. Write what happens in each part of the story. Keep it short.
5Feelings change. Rosa's feelings change from the beginning to the end. Fill in the boxes with a detail and the paragraph number.
Feeling + detail (paragraph #):
Feeling + detail (paragraph #):
6Theme. What lesson does Rosa learn by the end of the story? Write it as a full sentence.
7Which detail shows the theme best? Fill in the circle for ONE choice.
- "Rosa did not like waiting."
- "She kept watering the pot every day. Some days she wanted to quit."
- "Just dark dirt."
- "Grandpa handed her a jar of bean seeds and a small pot."
7b. In one sentence, tell why that detail shows the lesson.
Explain Write Your Theme & Summary 10 min
Question 8. Write the theme in one sentence. Then write a 3 to 4 sentence summary of the story using details. A summary tells the most important parts — you do not need every little thing.
You may start your sentences with: "The theme is…" · "First,…" · "Then,…" · "At the end,…" · "This shows the theme because…"
How do your details show the theme?
Close ACE Wrap-Up 5 min
Say the lesson of "The Seed Jar" in your own words, in one sentence.
Name one paragraph where you can see that lesson happening.
Tell about a time you had to wait or keep trying for something.
Continue Early Finisher optional · ~15 min
Draw your favorite moment from the story on the back of this page. Then write a one-sentence caption under your drawing that tells what is happening and why you like it.