Lesson Plan
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Hands-On Outlining

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
In order to write an effective outline, children must be able to identify main ideas and supporting details, which is the aim of this fun and kinesthetic activity. The class works on the floor to organize sentence strips prepared by the...
Worksheet
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Reciprocal Teaching Strategies Worksheet

For Students 5th - 10th
In this pre-reading activity worksheet, students respond to 3 questions that require them to list main ideas, generate questions, and clarify unclear items prior to reading a selection.
Worksheet
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Article Analysis

For Students 4th - 6th
One way for ESL students to improve their English skills is through reading articles in the newspaper. This instructional activity serves as a guide that learners could use when reporting on the article they read. There seven questions...
Lesson Plan
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What's the Big Idea

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Discuss the concept of main idea in a story or other reading material. Middle schoolers identify the main idea in a passage using a technique that eliminates unnecessary words not relevant to the main idea.
Worksheet
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Elections: Ch 7

For Students 7th - 9th
Identify the main idea, key terms, and concepts with this worksheet on US Elections. There are 5 fill in the blank and 5 multiple choice questions for your class to answer.
Lesson Plan
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Ancient Tales and Legends

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Investigate motivational problems using educational software as your learners determine details and main ideas of the reading. the class practices sequencing activities and read scary and monster stories, then complete associated...
Lesson Plan
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Main Idea

For Teachers 7th
What could you pack for a trip if you don't know the destination? After writing a list of items they would want to bring, fourth graders learn that the "trip" is to the South Pole - revealing the need to understand all available...
Lesson Plan
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Implied Main Idea

For Teachers 7th
Reinforce main idea and supporting details with your seventh graders in this language arts lesson. Using a SMART board presentation and handouts (all attachments are provided), they review and practice finding main idea and details in...
Lesson Plan
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Rain Forest Research

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders explore the Rain Forest. In this research lesson, 2nd graders go online to gather information about Rain Forest animals. Students print and use the information to write about the many parts of the Rain Forest. Students are...
Lesson Plan
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Determine the Main Idea

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students identify the main idea of a reading passage. In this identifying the main idea activity, students read short passages, highlight or underline important information and record the main idea of the passage. They participate in a...
Lesson Plan
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Outline It!

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders investigate how outlining can aid in comprehending text. In this reading comprehension lesson, 4th graders outline an article they read in groups of two. Students take turns reading the article, identifying the main idea,...
Lesson Plan
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Famous Women in American History: Rose Freedman

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders read about Rose Freedman, a famous American woman. In this famous women in American history lesson plan, 4th graders read a story about Rose Freedman, answer comprehension questions, and complete an associated worksheet....
Lesson Plan
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Lesson 1:Using Headings to Determine the Main Idea (nonfiction)

For Teachers 2nd Standards
Sometimes all you need is a good heading to determine the main idea in a block of text. Young readers learn how to use headings to guild them to determining the main idea. They practice as a class, in pairs, and then on their own. The...
Lesson Plan
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Identifying a Title for a Passage Based on the Main Idea

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders create a title. In this instructional activity students read a passage and discuss the main idea. Students determine the main idea for each paragraph of the passage. Students choose a main idea for the passage and use the...
Lesson Plan
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Compare and Contrast Passages

For Teachers 4th - 6th Standards
Combine two skills with the activities included here. Pupils not only practice determining the main idea of short passages, they also use a Venn diagram to compare and contrast the main ideas of the different passages. Start out...
Lesson Plan
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Lesson 2 : First and Last Sentences (Passage)

For Teachers 3rd Standards
Remember that old skimming technique, where you'd read the first and last sentence of a paragraph to glean the main idea? That tried and true college trick is taught to third graders as a way to gather information while they read....
Organizer
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Main Idea Wheel

For Students 2nd
In this main idea worksheet, students create a graphic organizer.  Students write the main idea in the center of the "wheel" and include 4 supporting details on the outer portion of the "wheel."
Lesson Plan
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Identifying Theme of a Fable

For Teachers 3rd Standards
Third graders understand how to find the theme of a fable. In this theme lesson plan, 3rd graders use graphic organizers to record the events of a fable. Students use that information to determine the lesson plan of the story. Students...
Lesson Plan
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The Apple Pie Tree

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Students read The Apple Pie Tree and discuss the story and talk about what was living in the tree.  In this life comprehension lesson, students write the main idea of the book in a few sentences. 
Lesson Plan
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Story Pyramid

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students read tall tales to identify story elements. In this story elements instructional activity, students read about Johnny Appleseed and Pecos Bill and use graphic organizers to record information. Students read in small groups,...
Lesson Plan
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Story Elements

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders identify story elements. In this story elements lesson, 3rd graders look at main idea, characters, point of view, theme and setting. They create a five paneled comic strip from a book.
Worksheet
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Henry and Mudge: comprehension skills

For Students 2nd - 4th
In this comprehension skills worksheet, students read the book Henry and Mudge and complete comprehension activities. Students complete activities such as inferences, drawing conclusions, character traits, and main idea and...
Worksheet
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Dogs: Comprehension Strategies

For Students 2nd - 4th
In this comprehension strategies worksheet, learners read the story Dogs and then complete comprehension strategies for the story. Students complete activities on cause and effect, main idea and details, inferences, details, and drawing...
Lesson Plan
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Synonyms

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Young scholars examine synonyms from their reading. In this synonyms lesson, students use vocabulary from their reading to create a chart and illustrate the words. Young scholars complete online activities from the story.