ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: Nonfiction Pyramid
A printable pyramid for use with nonfiction texts while students identify the main ideas and supporting details within a text. Students also determine author's purpose and key vocabulary words. Directions on how to use this type of...
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: Power Notes
A printable note-taking format where students create an outline by assigning powers to the main idea and supporting details. Directions on how to use this type of rubric as well as lists of teaching ideas and related resources are also...
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: Name That Chapter! Discussing Summary and Interpretation
Students name unnamed chapters in a novel they are reading. They discuss possible chapter names considering accuracy, word choice, and connotation, before settling on a choice.
Quia
Quia: Literary Terms Quiz
In this self-scoring practice activity, students read four passages and select the main idea of each.
Other
Mt. San Antonio College: Finding the Main Idea
Learn about the main idea and get tips on how to find it. After practicing with several short texts, learn how to answer different types of questions about main idea and practice each type.
Other
Palm Beach State College: Supporting Details Tutor Hints
A PDF giving notes and examples on major and minor supporting details and showing how they support the main idea of a text.
Education Development Center
Tv411: Summarizing Activity 2
This activity asks students to differentiate between main ideas and supporting details.
SMART Technologies
Smart: Main Idea & Details
This interactive lesson offers clarification and practice in the realm of main ideas and details.
E Reading Worksheets
E Reading Worksheets: Theme Worksheets
This learning module provides remediation and extra practice with identifying themes in short stories and in fables. Nine different worksheets and a PowerPoint lesson are available to help reinforce the concept of theme.
E Reading Worksheets
E Reading Worksheets: Main Idea Structure and Valentine's Day Worksheet
Written exercises related to identifying the main ideas and details are provided on this module. Students will enjoy learning about Valentine's Day in these text structure exercises.
Other
I Pathways: Language Arts: Stated Versus Implied
Learn about the difference between a stated main idea and an implied main idea. Then, practice finding the stated and implied main ideas in two short texts.
Tom Richey
Slide Share: Main Idea and Supporting Details
A slide show with seventeen slides teaching about main ideas and supporting details within a text.
Tom Richey
Slide Share: Main Idea & Supporting Detail
Ten slides explaining how to identify main ideas and details within a text.
Better Lesson
Better Lesson: The 2 Faces of Pocahontas
Teachers will engage young learners to understand how one story can be shared more than one way. This lesson demonstrates an historical interpretation of the story about Pocahontas and John Smith with the Disney movie. Several resources...
Read Works
Read Works: Leading Lady
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about Nancy Pelosi, the first female Speaker of the House. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Read Works
Read Works: Time for Change
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about $1 coins featuring different Presidents being minted in 2007. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Read Works
Read Works: Catch the Breeze
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about windmills using wind power as a source of electricity. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Read Works
Read Works: Let's Explore Caves
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about caves and some of the animals that call them home. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Read Works
Read Works: News Shorts Tomb Raiders
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about archaeologists who found a burial chamber in the Valley of the Kings in Egypt. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Read Works
Read Works: Marathon Kids
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about a program called Marathon Kids that is designed to teach children to be physically active. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Read Works
Read Works: Gasping for Air
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about the increased risk of asthma for children living in areas with air pollution. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Read Works
Read Works: School of Skate
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about after school skateboarding classes being offered at some schools. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Read Works
Read Works: New Lives for Old Buses
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about an African country that uses old school buses for public transportation. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Read Works
Read Works: City of Broken Records
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about the people of Dubai who wanted their city to be famous for breaking the most world records. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.