Introduction
The Main Idea
When reading books, there is always a topic or idea the book is centered around. This is something the author wants you to remember or learn form the book and its called a main idea. The main idea is the what the text, or book, is about. It is the message or information the text is trying to tell the readers. There are sentences that tell the reader more about, describe, or explain the main idea. These sentences are call supporting details.
How to Find the Main Idea
You can find the main idea of a text in many different ways. One was is to look at the title, headings, and pictures. These things are often talking about the main idea. Another way is to look for clues in the text. When reading, there may be words that are repeated that can help point you to the main idea. You can also ask yourself, "What is the test mostly about?".
Click on the video below for a fun song that can help you find the main idea!
Task
You will read, or watch the video reading, of the book A Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon. After reading, or listening, to the book, you will find the main idea and three supporting details. Next you will create a presentation for your classmates to show us what you learned.
Go to the next page to find the directions.
Process
Step 1:
- Partner up with a classmate!
- Next, you two will read, or listen to, A Bad Case of the Stripes by David Shannon.
- Click on the video below if you are listening to it.
Step 2:
- After reading or listening, you and your partner will decide on the main idea of the book together.
- Both of you should write this down on your own pieces of paper.
- Next decide on the main idea, you two will find three supporting details for the main idea.
- Write these three details on your own piece of paper.
Step 3:
- In class, you will be given materials to create a poster. You will present this poster to your classmates when you're done.
- You will write the main idea and the three supporting details on this poster in complete sentences
- You can make your poster pretty with markers and crayons. Draw pictures about the book on it too.
- Be creative! Make us want to look at your poster!
Step 4:
- After putting the finishing touches on your poster, you will present it to your teacher and your classmates.
- You will present this by reading what you thought the main idea was and your supporting details.
- When presenting, you and your partner should each say two of the sentences you have written.
Evaluation
Recap and Review
- What is a main idea?
- What is a supporting detail?
- How do I find a main idea?
Task Rubric
|
|
Excellent (3) |
Fair (2) |
Poor (1) |
|
Main Ideas and Details |
Students found main idea and had three supporting details to support it. |
Students found main idea and had two supporting details. |
Students only found main idea. |
|
Poster |
Students created a poster that stated main idea and supporting details. |
Students created a poster that stated main idea and only two supporting details. |
Students created a poster with only main idea on it. |
|
Complete Sentences |
Students wrote in complete sentences, using proper capitalization and punctuation. |
Students wrote in incomplete sentences with 2-3 capitalization and punctuation errors. |
Students wrote in incomplete sentences with 5 or more capitalization and punctuation errors. |
Conclusion
Now we should be able to find the main idea and supporting details in the texts we read. Remind me how we find a main idea please? What does a supporting detail do?
Credits
Shannon, David. A Bad Case of Stripes (Scholastic Bookshelf). Illustrated, Scholastic, 2004.
Teacher Page
Grade Level: 2
Standard: 2.RN.2.1 - Ask and answer questions about the main idea and supporting facts and details in a text to confirm understanding.
Objective: Students will be able to identify the main idea and at least three supporting details in a text.