Printable Friendship Poem Worksheet | Grade 4-5 ELA

This printable ELA worksheet helps fourth and fifth-grade students analyze poetry structure and determine central themes. By reading Joseph Parry's classic poem, students explore the value of old and new relationships while building essential reading comprehension skills. Use this resource to support literary analysis.

At a Glance

• Grade: 4-5 · Subject: ELA & Social Skills
• Standard: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.4.2 — Determine the theme of a poem from details in the text
• Skill Focus: Poetry analysis and theme identification
• Format: 1 page · 1 reading task · No answer key · PDF
• Best For: Poetry introduction and social-emotional learning discussion
• Time: 15–20 minutes

This single-page PDF features the complete text of Joseph Parry's poem, "New Friends and Old Friends," presented in a clean, readable layout. The sheet includes decorative elements that make it suitable for classroom display, poetry folders, or direct student distribution. It serves as a standalone reading text without complex formatting, allowing teachers to pair it with custom discussion questions or writing prompts.

This resource requires less than 2 minutes of total teacher preparation. First, print the single-page PDF for your class. Second, distribute the sheets to students for independent reading or shared recitation. Third, review the poem's theme and rhyme scheme together as a whole group. This straightforward workflow makes the worksheet an excellent option for emergency sub plans or quick morning work.

Standards Alignment

This worksheet aligns directly with the Common Core State Standard CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.4.2, which requires students to determine a theme of a poem from details in the text. Additionally, it supports social-emotional learning objectives by encouraging students to reflect on communication. Both standard codes can be copied directly into lesson plans, IEP goals, or district curriculum mapping tools.

How to Use It

Use this worksheet during the introductory phase of a poetry unit to model how to identify rhyme schemes. Alternatively, assign it as a warm-up activity before a social-emotional learning lesson on friendship. For formative assessment, observe students as they read aloud, noting their fluency and ability to identify the poem's central message. The activity takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes to complete.

Who It's For

This resource is designed for general education students in grades 4 and 5, as well as English language learners who benefit from structured, rhythmic text. For students needing extra support, pair this worksheet with an anchor chart defining theme and stanza. Advanced students can use the poem as a mentor text to write their own rhyming verses about friendship.

According to research from Fisher & Frey (2014) on close reading instruction, exposing students to short, high-quality texts like poems helps build critical comprehension skills. This worksheet aligns with CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.4.2 by focusing on the plain-English skill of determining a poem's theme from details in the text. By engaging with Joseph Parry's classic poem, students practice analyzing structural elements and author's purpose in a manageable format. The structured layout supports cognitive load reduction, allowing fourth and fifth-grade learners to focus on thematic elements. This resource serves as a reliable tool for integrating social-emotional learning with ELA standards, ensuring students develop academic and interpersonal skills. Educators can integrate this poem into daily reading routines to foster collaborative discussions about friendship.