For the Teachers
Main Idea Outline
Find the main idea in an informational text with a versatile lesson. Three levels of differentiation help you implement the strategy in any age or class level, based on the ability and objectives of your learners.
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Lesson Ideas for Comparing and Contrasting Content
Here are three lesson ideas to help students learn how to compare and contrast information in any content area
Minnesota Literacy Council
Scientific Method
Here is a resource with a descriptive approach to explaining the scientific method. It's simple, but effective for both introduction and reinforcement of this concept.
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Reading a Comparison-Contrast Essay
Turn your passive readers into active readers with an engaging lesson on reading informational text. Focused on compare and contrast structured essays, the activity prompts elementary learners to jot down questions and think-aloud...
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Extraordinary Compilations
Students discuss and record why people have various types of collections. They interpret the class collection of information then use details about the Morgan Dollar to understand what collection characteristics it may have.
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The Map of Summarization
Learners review the concept of silent reading. Through modeling and guided practice, they follow six given steps in summarizing a chapter from "Charlotte's Web." Then they follow the same steps in summarizing the next chapter on their own.
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Learning about Africville
Students research the history of Africville in Canada and present their findings to the class.
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Charlotte's Web
Fourth graders focus on fluency by reading the book Charlotte's Web. In this reading strategies lesson plan, 4th graders partner read, do guided reading, and independent reading to increase fluency. Students use Venn Diagrams, discuss...
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KWL Chart and Background Article
Students discuss an ecosystem. In this coral reef lesson, students fill in their own KWL chart and contribute ideas to a whole class KWL chart. They read an article as a class to spark ideas for facts they can add to the "K" part of the...
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It's Time to Sum It Up!!!
Students practice the reading strategy of summarization skills by picking out main events or ideas while reading a chapter in a book. They interact with the article, "SuperCroc," from National Geographic for Kids magazine to summarize...
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Plot/Story Problem/Resolution
Students analyze the plot, problem, and resolution of a story. For this story analysis lesson, students read stories and fill out graphic organizers about the plot, story problems, and resolution.
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Speak Up, Speak Out
Fourth graders examine, compare, and summarize the speeches of Sojourner Truth and Patrick Henry. They review the parts of a good speech and design and give their own speech that expresses an opinion and persuades the listener..
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Background Reading and Coral Dramas
Students create a dramatic play. For this coral lesson, students explore the anatomy of coral. Working in groups, students research the form and function of coral and present a skit to represent their learning.
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Citizenship
Pupils reflect on characteristics of good citizens, examine democratic symbolism, create an award and choose an individual to receive the award as part of this instructional activity on citizenship. Lesson ties together social studies,...
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Incredible Book
Fourth graders examine the contributions made by famous Americans during the American Revolution. They conduct research using a variety of resources, and create an informational page in the form of "Incredible Books" to contribute to a...
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Cotton Journey
Students use "Cotton Journey-A Field Trip In A Box" kit to relate the significance of cotton to the Civil War period and to study the cotton industry in general.
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United States Flag: Stars and Stripes
Learners study the symbols and history of the United States flag. In this United States flag lesson, students complete a KWL about the U.S. flag. Learners then visit a website to learn about the American flag and discuss the topic....
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Uncle Jed's Barbershop
For this Uncle Jed's Barbershop worksheet, students read the book Uncle Jed's Barbershop and complete short answer questions about it. Students complete 10 questions total.
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Summing It All Up
Students explore reading comprehension and how to summarize an article using a web. They explore the six steps of summarization. Students read "The World's Smallest Bird". They review how to read a text silently and then they discuss the...
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Centennial: But Mom, I Have Nothing To Wear
Fourth graders examine the contributions of Native American Indians, explorers, and Utah's pioneers. They discuss ways in which clothing can communicate and help identify time periods, thoughts, and values.
![De Paul University: Center for Urban Education: Prairie Changes [Pdf] Unit Plan](https://d15y2dacu3jp90.cloudfront.net/images/attachment_defaults/resource/large/FPO-knovation.png "De Paul University: Center for Urban Education: Prairie Changes [Pdf] Unit Plan")
Polk Brothers Foundation Center for Urban Education at DePaul University
De Paul University: Center for Urban Education: Prairie Changes [Pdf]
"Prairie Changes" is a one page, nonfiction passage about the changes in the prairie over time and the effect it has on plants, animals, and habitats. It is followed by an open-ended question which requires students to provide evidence...
Online Writing Lab at Purdue University
Purdue University Owl: Exercise: Basic Level Paraphrase and Summary Writing
Practice paraphrasing sentences and summarizing short paragraphs.
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: Guided Comprehension: Summarizing
Lesson that introduces students to the comprehension technique of summarizing. Students learn using the QuIP (questions into paragraphs) method which involves organizing information and putting it in writing.
Polk Brothers Foundation Center for Urban Education at DePaul University
De Paul University: Center for Urban Education: What Is a Fable? [Pdf]
"What is a Fable?" is a one page, nonfiction passage about what a fable is including animals that talk and a lesson learned. It is followed by an open-ended question which requires students to provide evidence from the story; it includes...