The Giving Tree Worksheets
About Our The Giving Tree Worksheets
The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein is a beloved children's book known for its simple language and profound emotional resonance. To help educators harness its literary richness, our printable The Giving Tree Reading Comprehension Worksheets offer structured, standards-aligned activities that promote deeper engagement with the text. Each worksheet includes a passage excerpt from the book followed by a range of question types: multiple-choice, short-answer, and open-ended written responses. These worksheets are fully classroom-ready, printable, and adaptable for various learning settings-from independent work to group discussions and teacher-led lessons. Designed with educational standards in mind, they target key language arts skills such as critical thinking, vocabulary development, thematic analysis, and literary interpretation.
Each worksheet begins with a carefully selected excerpt from The Giving Tree, allowing students to closely examine the language, imagery, and tone of the text. Following the passage, students encounter multiple-choice questions that test for reading comprehension, factual recall, and vocabulary in context. Short-answer questions prompt them to articulate their interpretations and make inferences based on evidence. Finally, open-response items encourage extended thinking-students might be asked to reflect on a character's motivation, discuss the theme of selflessness, or write about how the story connects to their own experiences.
These varied question formats mirror the expectations students face on standardized assessments, giving them the chance to practice high-level literacy skills in a familiar and supportive framework. With each worksheet, students build the ability to comprehend deeply, analyze thoroughly, and respond thoughtfully.
At the heart of these worksheets lies the practice of close reading-a foundational skill in English Language Arts. By returning to the text to analyze word choice, tone, and structure, students learn to read not just for information, but for meaning. The Giving Tree, while simple on the surface, offers profound insights into themes of love, sacrifice, and the human relationship with nature. These worksheets guide students to unpack those layers, moving beyond surface-level comprehension to interpret the story's emotional and philosophical core.
Students are encouraged to examine how Silverstein constructs the narrative voice-a calm, almost somber tone that deepens as the story progresses. Through targeted questions, they consider how this tone affects their perception of the boy and the tree, and how it changes over time. In doing so, students begin to appreciate how literary techniques shape storytelling and reader experience. This analytical lens enhances not only their understanding of The Giving Tree, but also prepares them to approach more complex texts with confidence and insight.
Silverstein's unique writing style-economical yet emotionally resonant-provides a wonderful entry point for discussions about literary voice. The worksheets guide students to notice how the author uses minimalism to evoke depth, how the illustrations enhance meaning, and how repetition and rhythm reinforce themes. This appreciation of authorial style encourages students to become more mindful readers and more purposeful writers.
Summary of The Giving Tree
The Giving Tree is a story about the lifelong relationship between a boy and a tree. When the boy is young, he plays in the tree's branches, eats its apples, and enjoys its shade. The tree loves the boy and is happy when he is near. As the boy grows older, he visits the tree less often and starts asking for things-money, a house, a boat. Each time, the tree gives him something it has: its apples, branches, and even its trunk. By the end of the story, the boy is an old man, and the tree has nothing left but a stump. Still, the tree offers its stump as a place for the old man to sit and rest. And the tree is happy.
Message and Meaning
The Giving Tree teaches us about giving, love, and selflessness. The tree gives everything it has to the boy, even when the boy doesn't give much back. This can make readers think about the people in their lives who give with love-like parents, grandparents, teachers, or friends. It also raises questions: Is giving always good? Should love have limits? The story doesn't give one "right answer," but instead invites readers to reflect on what it means to care for someone, and how important it is to appreciate those who care for us.
Even though it's a short and simple book, The Giving Tree stays in our hearts because it helps us understand how deep love can be-and how important it is to say thank you.