I'm not sure exactly what the stories are without looking at the material directly. But they might be about various topics like adventures, friendships or learning experiences as is common in such grade - level educational content.
One way is to make connections. Think about how the events in the stories are related to your own life or other things you've read. Also, look at the vocabulary used. If you understand the words well, it'll be easier to get the meaning of the stories. And don't forget to analyze the feelings of the characters. It can give you a deeper understanding of what's going on in the story.
I'm not sure specifically as I don't have the exact 'Wonders' book in front of me. But usually, it might include fictional stories about friendship, adventure or some historical events told in a way that's suitable for 5th graders.
Another theme could be exploration. If the stories are set in different places, the characters might be exploring new areas and learning new things about their surroundings. This can encourage kids to be curious about the world around them.
Well, from these stories, students can also learn about basic moral lessons. Such as being kind to others, sharing, or not giving up. The way the characters interact in the stories can be a great example for young learners to follow. The language used in the stories is also simple and easy to understand, which helps in building reading skills at this grade level.
The main themes could be about friendship. In many stories, characters often show how they support and care for each other, which is a key aspect of friendship.
Since I don't have access to the actual story, it's hard to say for sure. However, in many 3rd - grade level stories, there are often animal characters that are easy for kids to relate to, such as a friendly dog or a clever cat. Or it could be a young hero or heroine, like a brave little boy who goes on an adventure.