What are pourquoi tales, trickster tales and tall tales?

A pourquoi tale is a made up story, not a science fact, about why something in nature is so, like why the zebra has stripes. In a trickster tale, a clever character wins by fooling others, the way little Mouse fools Elephant. A tall tale tells of a hero with exaggeration, like Bess throwing her lasso so high that it tickled the sun.

How do I help my child find the lesson of a tale?

Ask what the main character wanted, what they did and what happened because of it. The lesson usually sits in that last step. Then have your child point to the sentence in the tale that shows it, since the last question asks for one detail.

Is there an answer key for each worksheet?

Yes. All 12 myths, fables and folktales sheets have an answer key, with the chart answers, the two multiple choice answers and a sample lesson with a detail.

Are these well known fables?

No. Every fable, folktale and myth on these sheets is an original ClassWeekly story, so children meet new characters and have to work out the lesson for themselves.

How do I help my child find the lesson?

Ask three questions in order: What did the character want? What did they do? What happened because of it? The lesson usually lives in the last answer. Then have your child find one sentence in the story that shows it.

3rd Grade Myths, Fables and Folktales Worksheets

Ages 8-9 · Free previews · Print-ready PDFs

Written by Adi Ackerman, Head Teacher

These myths, fables and folktales worksheets for 3rd grade teach children to tell what a traditional style tale teaches and the details that show it (CCSS RL.3.2). Children read original tales: pourquoi tales about why Owl stays up at night, how Zebra got her stripes and why bats hang upside down, tall tales about Bess, who ropes a storm cloud, and Lou, who bakes a loaf taller than the clouds, trickster tales about Mouse and Elephant and Frog and Heron, and a myth about a giant who stomps up mountains to block the cold wind. Fables about Beaver and Duck, a squirrel who will not share and a goat who wants greener grass, and a folktale about three sisters and one loom, have children chart what each choice causes. Every sheet ends with the lesson and one detail from the tale. 12 original sheets, each with an answer key.

3rd Grade Reading Fables Myths, fables and folktales Clear All

A Myth About a Giant Who Made the Mountains

Grade3rd Grade

3rd Grade Myths, Fables and Folktales Worksheets

More fables worksheets

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a myth, a fable and a folktale?

What are pourquoi tales, trickster tales and tall tales?

How do I help my child find the lesson of a tale?

Is there an answer key for each worksheet?

What is the difference between a fable, a folktale and a myth?

Are these well known fables?

How do I help my child find the lesson?

What is ClassWeekly?