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Pia and Jojo: Two Penguin Stories worksheet preview

Worksheet

Pia and Jojo: Two Penguin Stories

Read two original stories by one author about the same penguin friends, then compare their settings, plots and themes.

Grade 3ELAInteractive · Printable

Aligned toRL.3.9

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What’s included

  • Single worksheet
  • Auto-graded online
  • 1 Common Core standard
  • Printable answer key
  • 10 questions
  • Classroom-ready

Details

Format
Interactive · Printable
Grade
Grade 3
Subject
ELA
Question types
Fill in the blank, Multiple choice, Matching, Circle the answer, Sorting, Short answer

About this worksheet

What students practice

  • Students compare the settings and plots of two stories about the same characters.
  • Students compare and contrast the themes of two stories by the same author.

How to use

Read both stories aloud, then let students answer on their own. Talk about the last question together so students hear different ways to compare the stories.

Curriculum

Common Core standard covered

RL.3.9

Compare and contrast the themes, settings, and plots of stories by the same author about the same or similar characters.

Preview

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Name Date

Pia and Jojo: Two Penguin Stories

Compare two stories about the same penguin friends.

Read the two stories

Pia and Jojo are the main characters in a series of stories by one author. Read two of the stories.

Story 1: The Sliding Hill

1Pia and Jojo were young penguins who lived on an icy shore. Their favorite game was belly sliding. One bright morning, they waddled to the top of the tallest ice hill.

2A long line of penguins was already waiting. "This will take forever," Jojo groaned. He tried to squeeze to the front, but he bumped a big penguin and tumbled into a snowbank.

3Pia helped him up. "Let's wait together," she said. "We can count the sliders while we wait." So they counted, and they guessed who would slide the farthest.

4At last it was their turn. Jojo zoomed down on his belly all the way to the water. "Waiting with you made it fun," he told Pia.

Story 2: The Big Storm

1One dark winter day, a storm blew across the icy shore. Snow whirled so hard that Pia could barely see her own feet. The wind howled and pushed at her.

2The other penguins pressed together in a tight huddle to stay warm. Pia stood alone on the outside. "I can stay warm by myself," she said. But soon her feathers were stiff with ice.

3Jojo poked his head out of the huddle. "Come in with us!" he called. Pia squeezed in beside him. In the middle of the huddle, it felt as cozy as a nest.

4When the storm ended, Pia shook the snow off her wings. "Thanks, Jojo," she said. "Together is warmer than alone."

Settings and plots

Think about where each story happens and what happens in it.

1.
Read paragraph 1 of each story. Write the word from each story that tells when it happens.

Story 1 happens on a bright  . Story 2 happens on a dark winter  .

2.
Match each problem to how it is solved.
  1. Jojo does not want to wait in the long line.
  2. Pia's feathers grow stiff with ice.
  3. Jojo tumbles into a snowbank.
  1. A. Pia helps him up.
  2. B. Pia says they can count the sliders.
  3. C. Jojo calls her into the huddle.
3.
How are the plots of the two stories alike?
  • A. Both friends get lost and find their way home.
  • B. One friend has a problem, and the other helps.
  • C. Jojo wins a sliding race at the end of each story.
  • D. A big penguin helps the friends in each story.
4.
How are the plots of the two stories different?
  • A. Story 1: staying warm in a storm. Story 2: waiting for a slide.
  • B. Story 1: catching fish for dinner. Story 2: building a snow nest.
  • C. Story 1: waiting for a slide. Story 2: staying warm in a storm.
  • D. Both stories: racing down the tallest ice hill on their bellies.
5.
How is Jojo's part different in the two stories?
  • A. In Story 1 he gives help; in Story 2 he needs help.
  • B. He needs help from Pia in both of the stories.
  • C. He gives help to Pia in both of the stories.
  • D. In Story 1 he needs help; in Story 2 he gives help.

Themes

A theme is the big idea or lesson of a story.

6.
Read paragraph 2 of Story 2. Underline the sentence that shows Pia thinks she does not need help.

The other penguins pressed together in a tight huddle to stay warm.Pia stood alone on the outside."I can stay warm by myself," she said.But soon her feathers were stiff with ice.

7.
What is the theme of Story 1?
  • A. Waiting patiently can turn out to be fun.
  • B. The biggest penguins should slide first.
  • C. Sliding is more fun when you go alone.
  • D. It is smart to stay away from the water.
8.
What is the theme of Story 2?
  • A. Storms are a good time to play outside.
  • B. Being alone is the best way to stay warm.
  • C. Penguins should not slide in the winter.
  • D. It is wise to accept help from a friend.
9.
Is each detail in Story 1 only, Story 2 only, or both stories? Sort the details.
Snow whirls so hard that Pia can barely see.Pia and Jojo are the main characters.Jojo tumbles into a snowbank.Penguins press together in a huddle.The story takes place on an icy shore.Jojo slides on his belly to the water.
Story 1 onlyStory 2 onlyBoth stories
10.
How are the themes of the two stories different? Use one detail from each story.

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