Supporting Details | Substitute Teacher
Students will learn that supporting details are little pieces of information that help tell more about the main idea. Using pictures and oral practice, students will identify and say one or two details about a familiar topic.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| main idea | the big idea or what the picture or sentence is mostly about |
| detail | a small piece of information that tells more about the main idea |
| support | to help explain or tell more about something |
Show a picture of a familiar item, such as a dog, playground, or apple. Say, 'This is our big idea. What is it?' Help students name the main idea.
Look at the picture and say what it is mostly about.
Explain that supporting details are little clues that tell more about the big idea. Model with a picture: 'The dog is brown. The dog is fluffy. The dog is sitting.' Write or say each detail.
Listen, repeat the word detail, and point to the picture when they hear a supporting detail.
Show 2 to 3 pictures one at a time. Ask, 'What is the big idea?' Then ask, 'Tell me one detail.' Prompt as needed: color, size, action, or parts.
Name the main idea and give one supporting detail for each picture.
Hold up one picture and ask each student to say one detail. Give praise and gentle correction.
Individually answer with one detail.
Review: 'The main idea is the big idea. Supporting details tell more.' Ask students to repeat the sentence together.
Repeat the key idea and show understanding with thumbs up or a nod.
End by chanting together: 'Big idea, little details!'
Observe each student during the quick check and note whether they can state the main idea and give one supporting detail.
Ask students to find one thing at home and tell a grown-up one detail about it, such as color, size, or what it does.