Lesson 1: Main Idea Detective 🔍

Grade Level: 3rd-5th

CCSS Standard: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.3-5.2 - Determine the main idea of a text and explain how it is supported by key details

TEKS Standards:

• 3rd Grade: TEKS 3.6(H) - Synthesize information to create new understanding

• 4th Grade: TEKS 4.6(H) - Synthesize information to create new understanding

• 5th Grade: TEKS 5.6(H) - Synthesize information to create new understanding

Materials: Any short text (newspaper article, textbook passage, or story from student reading book)

Duration: 15-20 minutes

Activity:

• Students read a short passage independently or as a class

• Ask students to identify the "big idea" in one sentence

• Have students find 3 details that support the main idea

• Students share their findings with a partner and discuss

Assessment: Students write the main idea and supporting details on a piece of paper or in their reading journal