Finding the Story's Heart
A Kindergarten ELA worksheet to help students identify the central message or main idea of simple stories through engaging activities.
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Finding the Story's Heart
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Read the short stories. Then, choose the best answer that tells what the story is mostly about. This is called the 'central message' or 'main idea' of the story.
Story 1: The Little Red Hen
The Little Red Hen found a grain of wheat. She asked her friends, 'Who will help me plant this wheat?' The dog, the cat, and the mouse all said, 'Not I!' So the Little Red Hen planted it herself. When the wheat grew, she asked, 'Who will help me cut this wheat?' Her friends again said, 'Not I!' So she cut it herself. When it was time to bake bread, her friends still did not want to help. So the Little Red Hen baked the bread all by herself. When the bread was ready, her friends wanted to eat it! But the Little Red Hen said, 'No! I did all the work.'
1. What is the central message of this story?
It is good to share toys.
It is important to help your friends.
Hens like to bake bread.
Dogs, cats, and mice are friends.
Story 2: The Boy Who Cried Wolf
A shepherd boy was bored watching his sheep. He thought it would be funny to play a trick on the villagers. He yelled, 'Wolf! Wolf!' The villagers came running to help, but there was no wolf. The boy laughed. He did this again, and again the villagers came. But there was no wolf. One day, a real wolf came! The boy cried, 'Wolf! Wolf!' But this time, no one came to help him, because they didn't believe him.
2. What is the central message of this story?
Sheep need to be watched.
Wolves are scary animals.
It is important to always tell the truth.
Boys like to play tricks.
3. Think about a story you know. What was the most important lesson or message it taught you?