Theme Tracing

Students read a passage slowly and carefully, paying close attention to repeated ideas, internal struggles, and emotional shifts. They identify a possible theme, cite at least two lines that support that theme, and write a brief explanation. Additional questions encourage students to analyze the character’s change from the beginning to the end of the passage and consider how those changes reinforce the theme. This worksheet helps students move beyond surface-level understanding and connect character growth to broader messages about belonging and kindness.

Curriculum Matched Skills

English Language Arts – Identifying and Supporting Theme

English Language Arts – Analyzing Character Growth

English Language Arts – Textual Evidence and Interpretation

English Language Arts – Close Reading for Deeper Meaning

English Language Arts – Understanding Emotional and Social Themes

This worksheet is part of our close reading passages worksheets collection.