Read Works
Read Works: Main Idea 4th Grade Unit
[Free Registration/Login Required] A two-lesson unit on main idea and details through which students use the topic sentence to identify the main idea of a paragraph and categorize details as main idea or supporting. With free login,...
Curated OER
Mc Graw Hill: Part 2 Reading: Informational Text: Reasons and Evidence in Text
An article discussing how authors use reasons and evidence to support their ideas in a text. Site includes an example to help students find reasons and evidence.
Polk Brothers Foundation Center for Urban Education at DePaul University
De Paul University: Center for Urban Education: Pioneer Families [Pdf]
"Pioneer Families" is a one page, nonfiction, reading passage about pioneers who traveled west in wagon trains, the hardships they faced, and how they worked together to build communities. It is followed by questions which require...
Polk Brothers Foundation Center for Urban Education at DePaul University
De Paul University: Center for Urban Education: The Captain's Job [Pdf]
"The Captain's Job" is a one page, nonfiction, reading passage about a captain safely landing his plane in the Hudson River after birds had flown into the engines causing them to stop. It is followed by questions which require students...
Polk Brothers Foundation Center for Urban Education at DePaul University
De Paul University: Center for Urban Education: The First Flyers [Pdf]
"The First Flyers" is a one page, nonfiction, reading passage about the Wright brothers and their obsession with flying. It is followed by questions which require students to provide evidence from the story; it includes: determining main...
Scholastic
Scholastic: Informational Text: Reading Response: Main Ideas & Details [Pdf]
This graphic organizer can be used with students when they read informational text. Students will write the main idea in a central oval and then write four details that support the main idea of this reproducible graphic organizer.
Read Works
Read Works: Organizing Information Into an Outline
[Free Registration/Login Required] In this activity, students will take notes as they read Animal Homes by Ann O. Squire. This information will then be organized into an outline. Includes printable materials for teacher and students.
Learning Farm
Learning Farm: Ccs: Time, Sequence, and Cause/effect
An automated lesson will engage student's learning how to describe the connection between a series of historical events, scientific ideas or concepts, or steps in technical procedures in a text. An introduction to the concept precedes a...
Read Works
Read works.org: The Artist Who Painted Herself
[Free Registration/Login Required] Use this read aloud lesson plan to teach concepts such as main idea, using pictures to gain information, and recount key details from an informational text. This lesson plan aligns with Common Core...
Quizlet
Quizlet: Main Idea, Main Idea Test
Terms associated with main idea are included on this assessment. This test assesses the following text feature terms: central idea, main idea, details, supporting details, summarizing, interesting detail, conclusion, topic, subject, and...
Quizlet
Quizlet: Main Idea, Main Idea Match
Terms related to main idea are included in this review "Match" game. Questions are provided for the following words: central idea, main idea, conclusion, infer, inferences, interesting detail, subject, summarizing, and supporting detail....
Quizlet
Quizlet: Main Idea, Main Idea Flashcards
Terms related to main idea are included in this review exercise. Interactive vocabulary flashcards are provided for the following words: main idea, central idea, interesting detail, subject, topic, support, supporting detail, theme, and...
Quizlet
Quizlet: Main Idea and Details 2nd Grade Flashcards
Flashcards with main idea statements are available on this site. Students will read a series of details. Then students will read the main idea after each set of details.
Quizlet
Quizlet: Main Idea and Details 2nd Grade Match
Identifying the main idea is the task for this "Match" game. Students will read a series of details and match the main idea that "matches" the list of supporting details.
Quizlet
Quizlet: Ccisd 4th Grade Main Idea Flashcards
Reading strategy terms (nonfiction) are included in this review exercise. Flashcards are provided for the following words: topic, main idea, supporting details, summarizing, conclusion, point of view, author's perspective, author's...
Polk Brothers Foundation Center for Urban Education at DePaul University
De Paul University: Center for Urban Education: Analyze Nonfiction: Central Idea [Pdf]
This graphic organizer will help students analyze nonfiction pieces. Students will use the graphic organizer to guide them as they identify the central idea and supporting details.
International Literacy Association
Ila: Unlocking the Power of Informational Text With Five Creative Ideas
Five easy ways to help unlock the power of informational text for all students.
Polk Brothers Foundation Center for Urban Education at DePaul University
De Paul University: Center for Urban Education: George Washington Carver [Pdf]
"George Washington Carver" is a one page, biographical passage about George Washington Carver, a famous African American, who taught farmers better farming methods including planting peanuts to improve the soil. It is followed by an...
Better Lesson
Better Lesson: Sl.3.2: Determine the Main Ideas and Supporting Details of a Text
Links to 44 lessons and activities that build student skills in standard SL.3.2: Determine the main ideas and supporting details of a text read aloud or information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually,...
Read Works
Read Works: Where Does Food Go?
[Free Registration/Login Required] This informational text passage explains the process of food digestion. This passage is a stand-alone curricular piece that reinforces essential reading skills and strategies and establishes scaffolding...
Read Works
Read Works: Trouble in the Amazon
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about the causes and effects of the decreasing rain forest. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Read Works
Read Works: Explore Our Solar System
[Free Registration/Login Required] This informational text passage shares facts about planets in the solar system. This passage is a stand-alone curricular piece that reinforces essential reading skills and strategies and establishes...
Florida Center for Reading Research
Florida Center for Reading Research: Monitor for Understanding: Question Creation [Pdf]
A lesson plan in which students read a text and create questions using the words provided on word cards. Materials are included.
Florida Center for Reading Research
Florida Center for Reading Research: Monitor for Understanding: Sum Summary! [Pdf]
A lesson plan in which students read a narrative or informational text and complete graphic organizers to help them write good summaries of the texts. Materials are included.