Main Idea | Small Group
Students will learn how to identify the main idea of a short passage and support it with key details. In small groups, they will practice using simple nonfiction and fiction texts to explain what a passage is mostly about.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Main idea | What the text is mostly about |
| Detail | A fact or piece of information that supports the main idea |
| Topic | The subject of the text |
| Supporting detail | A detail that gives more information about the main idea |
Ask students what a story or paragraph is mostly about. Model the difference between a topic and a main idea using a simple example.
Share ideas orally and help sort examples into topic or main idea.
Read a short paragraph aloud. Think aloud to identify the topic, ask, 'What is the author saying about this topic?', and underline key details.
Listen, follow along, and help identify important words and details.
Give students a second short passage. Work with the group to highlight details and write a main idea statement together.
Highlight key details, discuss choices, and help write the main idea.
Rotate among groups as students read additional short passages. Prompt them to find the main idea and record two supporting details on the organizer.
Work with partners or in a small group to identify the main idea and supporting details for each passage.
Provide one final short paragraph for students to complete on their own or with minimal support.
Read the paragraph and write the main idea and supporting details independently.
Invite students to share one main idea statement and one supporting detail from the lesson. Review the big idea that details help prove or explain the main idea.
Give students one short passage or paragraph to read at home. They should write the main idea and list two supporting details in a notebook or on a worksheet.