Felix, Ruby, and Toby spend a stormy afternoon at a treehouse, and every row of this 3rd grade matching sheet describes one thing they do. Students match six actions to a trait or feeling, from stubborn and generous to terrified. Then they match six more actions to the motivation behind them or the event they cause. One written question closes the 3-page sheet. It practices RL.3.3, and the answer key gives both sets of letters plus two model answers.
RL.3.3
“Describe characters in a story (e.g., their traits, motivations, or feelings) and explain how their actions contribute to the sequence of events.”
The first set names traits and feelings from actions, the second links actions to motivations and events, and question 7 asks how one character's action moved the story along.
Students write a letter beside each of six actions. The first is done: Felix refusing to leave the treehouse in the rain shows he is stubborn. Others include Ruby giving half her sandwich to Toby and Toby double-checking the old ladder rungs.
Six sentence starters such as "Felix ran into the dark woods..." pair with endings that give a reason ("so he wouldn't slip and fall on the muddy wood") or a result ("which caused the group to finally find the flashlight").
Students pick Felix, Ruby, or Toby and explain how one trait or motivation made something specific happen in the treehouse story.
Mini-lesson follow-up
Teach the difference between a trait and a feeling first. Row 6, where Toby hides when the thunder booms, matches terrified, and students who only know trait words get stuck there.
Partner talk
Have pairs say each match aloud as a full sentence, such as Ruby is generous because she shared her lunch. Wrong guesses show up faster than with silent letter writing.
Writing about reading
Question 7 is short but asks for cause and effect. Give the frame "Because Felix was brave, he..." to students who need it, and expect one or two sentences.
Get started today
