Zodiac River Race

This reading comprehension worksheet supports students in Grades 4, 5, and 6 as they explore the Chinese myth of the Great Race that determined the order of the twelve zodiac animals. Students practice reading comprehension, character analysis, cultural understanding, and critical thinking as they examine how animal actions in the race reflect traits like courage, cleverness, perseverance, and cooperation, and how these traits carry symbolic meaning.

Learning Goals

• Reading Comprehension (Grades 4-6) – Identify key events, characters, and details in a traditional myth
• Character Analysis – Analyze how actions reveal traits and motivations
• Cultural Understanding – Explain the origins and purpose of the Chinese zodiac story
• Moral & Symbolic Thinking – Interpret lessons and values represented through the race

Instructional Benefits

• Teacher-Created Resource – Designed by educators to align with ELA and social studies standards
• Text-Dependent Questions – Encourages close reading and evidence-based responses
• Creative Extension Activity – Invites students to connect zodiac traits to modern human qualities
• Flexible Use – Ideal for literacy blocks, cultural studies units, mythology lessons, or enrichment

This mythology-based worksheet helps students strengthen comprehension, analytical thinking, and cultural literacy through an engaging and meaningful story. By reflecting on the traits and lessons of the zodiac animals, learners gain insight into values that remain relevant today. It’s a no-prep resource for both classroom and homeschool settings that supports literacy development while fostering thoughtful reflection on character and culture.

This worksheet is part of our Chinese New Year collection.