CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.3.9
The Standard
Compare and contrast the themes, settings, and plots of stories written by the same author about the same or similar characters (e.g., in books from a series).
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts · Reading Standards for Literature
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students read two stories by one author, often featuring the same characters. They compare each story’s message, setting, problem, key events, and solution using text details.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Students clearly explain similarities and differences across two stories. They use accurate details from each text to support comparisons about message, setting, and major events.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may list details from each story without explaining how they are alike or different. They may confuse the theme with the topic or treat one event as the whole plot.
How to Assess It
- Give students two familiar stories and ask them to name one similarity and one difference in setting, plot, or message, with evidence from both.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs event and setting cards from two stories to sort under Story A, Story B, or Both.
Ask students to write: How does the character face a similar problem differently in each story?
Play Comparison Bingo using squares labeled same setting, different problem, same message, and different solution.
Students compare a character’s choices in two stories with choices they might make during similar problems at school or home.
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Printable RL.3.9 Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.3.9, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.
Download the worksheetLearning progression
Where This Standard Sits
See the whole path on the Reading: Literature progression map.
Before This Standard
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What This Unlocks
Mastery here sets students up for these next.
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Related Standards
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.5.9
Compare and contrast stories in the same genre (e.g., mysteries and adventure stories) on their approaches to similar themes and topics.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.6.9
Compare and contrast texts in different forms or genres (e.g., stories and poems; historical novels and fantasy stories) in terms of their approaches to similar...
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