Learning Objective
Name _____________________
Today, we will distinguish1 between the main idea and supporting
details.
1
tell apart
CFU
What are we going to do today?
What are we going to distinguish?
What does distinguish mean?
Activate (or Provide) Prior Knowledge
Topic: Things we do at school.
1. We study mathematics.
2. We play with our friends.
3. We eat lunch in the cafeteria.
4. ______________________
5. ______________________
Can you name something else we do at school?
CFU
Students, you’ve just given many details that support our topic “Things we do at school.” A topic is used
to create a sentence that tells what a paragraph is about. We call this sentence the main idea. Today, we
will distinguish between the main idea and supporting details.
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3rd Grade Reading Comprehension 2.5 (2Q)
Distinguish between the main idea and supporting
details in expository text.
Lesson to be used by EDI-trained teachers only.
Concept Development
The main idea is the one sentence that tells what the other sentences are
all about.
The main idea can be found at the beginning or at the end of a paragraph.
Supporting details are the sentences that explain2 the main idea.
2
tell more about
Example: Main idea at the beginning of a paragraph, followed by
supporting details.
Growing Plants
1. Plants need things to grow. 2. Plants
need water. 3. Plants need light. 4. Plants need soil3.
3
dirt
14 words
Main idea at the end of a paragraph, following the supporting
details.
DataWORKS Educational Research
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©2011All rights reserved.
Comments? feedback@dataworksed.com
3rd Grade Reading Comprehension 2.5 (2Q)
Distinguish between the main idea and supporting
details in expository text.
Lesson to be used by EDI-trained teachers only.
CFU
Where is the main idea found in the paragraph The Human Brain?
Which sentence supports the main idea that “plants need things to grow,” A or B? How do you know?
Why is the other answer NOT a supporting detail?
A. Plants are food for some animals.
B. Plants need air.
In your own words, what is the main idea? The main idea is __________________________.
In your own words, what are supporting details? Supporting details are _________________________.
In your own words, what is the difference between the main idea and supporting details?
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©2011All rights reserved.
Comments? feedback@dataworksed.com
3rd Grade Reading Comprehension 2.5 (2Q)
Distinguish between the main idea and supporting
details in expository text.
Lesson to be used by EDI-trained teachers only.
Importance
The main idea is the one sentence that tells what the
other sentences are all about.
Supporting details are the sentences that explain the
main idea.
It is important to distinguish between the main idea
and supporting details because:
1. distinguishing between the main idea and supporting
details will help you understand the most important
information of the text.
2.
3.
distinguishing between the main idea and supporting
details will help you support your ideas in writing.
distinguishing between the main idea and supporting
details will help you do well on tests.
CFU
Does anyone else have another reason why it is important to distinguish between the main idea and
supporting details? (pair-share) Why is it important to distinguish between the main idea and supporting
details? You may give me one of my reasons or one of your own. Which reason is the most important to
you? Why?
DataWORKS Educational Research
(800) 495-1550 • www.dataworks-ed.com
©2011All rights reserved.
Comments? feedback@dataworksed.com
3rd Grade Reading Comprehension 2.5 (2Q)
Distinguish between the main idea and supporting
details in expository text.
Lesson to be used by EDI-trained teachers only.
Name _____________________
The main idea is the one sentence that tells what the other sentences are all about.
Supporting details are the sentences that explain the main idea.
Skill Development/Guided Practice
Distinguish between the main idea and supporting details.
Step #1: Read each sentence carefully.
Step #2: Identify the main idea. (Circle)
Step #3: Determine the supporting details. (Underline)
Step #4: Write the sentence number of the main idea and supporting details in the
chart below.
The Blue Whale
1. The blue whale is the
largest animal on Earth.
2. The blue whale can measure 100 feet
in length. 3. It can weigh as much as
30 elephants. 4. The blue whale lives in
the ocean. 5. The heart of the
blue whale is the size of a small car.
46 words
CFU
How did I know what the main idea was? How did I know which sentences were supporting details? How
did I complete the chart? How did you know what the main idea was? How did you know what sentences
were supporting details? How did you complete the chart? Why is sentence #4 NOT a supporting detail?
DataWORKS Educational Research
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©2011All rights reserved.
Comments? feedback@dataworksed.com
3rd Grade Reading Comprehension 2.5 (2Q)
Distinguish between the main idea and supporting
details in expository text.
Lesson to be used by EDI-trained teachers only.
Skill Development/Guided Practice (continued)
The main idea is the one sentence that tells what the other sentences are all about.
Supporting details are the sentences that explain the main idea.
Distinguish between the main idea and supporting details.
Step #1: Read each sentence carefully.
Step #2: Identify the main idea. (Circle)
Step #3: Determine the supporting details. (Underline)
Step #4: Write the sentence number of the main idea and supporting details in the
chart below.
Our Government
1. Our country has three branches1 of government.
2. The first branch makes the laws. 3. The second branch
tells us what the laws mean. 4. The last branch makes
sure people follow the laws. 5. This is how our government works.
1
parts
37 words
CFU
How did I know what the main idea was? How did I know which sentences were supporting details? How
did I complete the chart? How did you know what the main idea was? How did you know what sentences
were supporting details? How did you complete the chart? Why is sentence #5 NOT a supporting detail?
DataWORKS Educational Research
(800) 495-1550 • www.dataworks-ed.com
©2011All rights reserved.
Comments? feedback@dataworksed.com
3rd Grade Reading Comprehension 2.5 (2Q)
Distinguish between the main idea and supporting
details in expository text.
Lesson to be used by EDI-trained teachers only.
Skill Development/Guided Practice (continued)
The main idea is the one sentence that tells what the other sentences are all about.
Supporting details are the sentences that explain the main idea.
Distinguish between the main idea and supporting details.
Step #1: Read each sentence carefully.
Step #2: Identify the main idea. (Circle)
Step #3: Determine the supporting details. (Underline)
Step #4: Write the sentence number of the main idea and supporting details in the
chart below.
Rocks
1. Some rocks are formed from layers1 of earth at the bottom
of the sea. 2. Other rocks are formed by cooling, melted rock.
3. These rocks are called volcanic rocks. 4. Some rocks are
even made from other types of rocks. 5. Rocks are formed
in different ways.
44 words
1
something that covers over or between other things
CFU
How did I know what the main idea was? How did I know which sentences were supporting details? How
did I complete the chart? How did you know what the main idea was? How did you know what sentences
were supporting details? How did you complete the chart? Why is sentence #3 NOT a supporting detail?
DataWORKS Educational Research
(800) 495-1550 • www.dataworks-ed.com
©2011All rights reserved.
Comments? feedback@dataworksed.com
3rd Grade Reading Comprehension 2.5 (2Q)
Distinguish between the main idea and supporting
details in expository text.
Lesson to be used by EDI-trained teachers only.
Skill Development/Guided Practice (continued)
The main idea is the one sentence that tells what the other sentences are all about.
Supporting details are the sentences that explain the main idea.
Distinguish between the main idea and supporting details.
Step #1: Read each sentence carefully.
Step #2: Identify the main idea. (Circle)
Step #3: Determine the supporting details. (Underline)
Step #4: Write the sentence number of the main idea and supporting details in the
chart below.
CFU
How did I know what the main idea was? How did I know which sentences were supporting details? How
did I complete the chart? How did you know what the main idea was? How did you know what sentences
to underline? How did you complete the chart? Why is sentence #3 NOT a supporting detail?
DataWORKS Educational Research
(800) 495-1550 • www.dataworks-ed.com
©2011All rights reserved.
Comments? feedback@dataworksed.com
3rd Grade Reading Comprehension 2.5 (2Q)
Distinguish between the main idea and supporting
details in expository text.
Lesson to be used by EDI-trained teachers only.
Closure
1. In your own words, what is the main idea?
2. In your own words, what are supporting details?
3. Distinguish between the main idea and supporting details below.
4. What did you learn today about distinguishing between the main idea and
supporting details? Why is that important to you? (pair-share)
Step #1: Read each sentence carefully.
Step #2: Identify the main idea. (Circle)
Step #3: Determine the supporting details. (Underline)
Step #4: Write the sentence number of the main idea and supporting details in the
chart below.
The Different Forms of Water
1. Water can have three forms. 2. Water can be a
liquid. 3. In freezing temperatures, water can become
solid ice. 4. Water can also become ice if it is in your
freezer. 5. Water can also become a gas, if it is heated.
39 words
DataWORKS Educational Research
(800) 495-1550 • www.dataworks-ed.com
©2011All rights reserved.
Comments? feedback@dataworksed.com
3rd Grade Reading Comprehension 2.5 (2Q)
Distinguish between the main idea and supporting
details in expository text.
Lesson to be used by EDI-trained teachers only.
Independent Practice
Name ________________________
The main idea is the one sentence that tells what the other sentences are all about.
Supporting details are the sentences that explain the main idea.
Distinguish between the main idea and supporting details.
Step #1: Read each sentence carefully.
Step #2: Identify the main idea. (Circle)
Step #3: Determine the supporting details. (Underline)
Step #4: Write the sentence number of the main idea and supporting details in the chart below.
The Solar System
1. Our solar system has eight planets and the sun. 2.
Some planets, like Earth, are closer to the sun. 3. Some planets, like Jupiter
and Saturn, are far from the sun. 4. Because they are far away from the
sun, they are colder than other planets. 5. Some planets, like Uranus and
Neptune, are made of gas.
53 words
The Camera
1. Louis Daguerre took the first black and white picture
of a person in 1839. 2. The first color photo was taken in 1861. 3. Today,
we use digital1 cameras to take pictures. 4. Digital cameras allow us to
look at the picture and delete it if we don’t like it. 5. The ways to take
pictures with a camera have changed a lot over the years.
1 working like a computer
62 words
DataWORKS Educational Research
(800) 495-1550 • www.dataworks-ed.com
©2011All rights reserved.
Comments? feedback@dataworksed.com
3rd Grade Reading Comprehension 2.5 (2Q)
Distinguish between the main idea and supporting
details in expository text.
Lesson to be used by EDI-trained teachers only.
Periodic Review 1
Name
________________________
The main idea is the one sentence that tells what the other sentences are all about.
Supporting details are the sentences that explain the main idea.
Distinguish between the main idea and supporting details.
Step #1: Read each sentence carefully.
Step #2: Identify the main idea. (Circle)
Step #3: Determine the supporting details. (Underline)
Step #4: Write the sentence number of the main idea and supporting details in the chart below.
How to Get Good Grades
1. There are many ways to get good grades in school.
2. One way is to get help in class from the teacher. 3. Make
sure to raise your hand! 4. Some students go to after-school
programs1 for extra help. 5. The most important way to get
good grades is to complete all the class work.
1
set of activities done to achieve a goal
51 words
Turkey Vultures
1. A turkey vulture’s wings can spread six feet from tip to
tip. 2. Don’t get them confused with the turkey we eat for
dinner! 3. Turkey vultures hold their wings out as they fly.
4. They look so beautiful as they soar1 high! 5. Turkey vultures
are wonderful birds.
1
45 words
fly
Periodic Review 2
Name ________________________
The main idea is the one sentence that tells what the other sentences are all about.
Supporting details are the sentences that explain the main idea.
Distinguish between the main idea and supporting details.
Step #1: Read each sentence carefully.
DataWORKS Educational Research
(800) 495-1550 • www.dataworks-ed.com
©2011All rights reserved.
Comments? feedback@dataworksed.com
3rd Grade Reading Comprehension 2.5 (2Q)
Distinguish between the main idea and supporting
details in expository text.
Lesson to be used by EDI-trained teachers only.
Step #2: Identify the main idea. (Circle)
Step #3: Determine the supporting details. (Underline)
Step #4: Write the sentence number of the main idea and supporting details in the chart below.
America’s Symbol
1. The bald eagle is strong, brave, and free, just like America. 2. The
bald eagle was made the national1 bird of the United States in 1872. 3. It was
put on the first American seal, a badge that stood for the country. 4. The bald
eagle is an endangered species. 5. The bald eagle is a symbol of our country.
1
related to a country or nation
56 words
Goats
1. Goats are very strange animals because they will eat anything!
2. There are over 200 different kinds of goats. 3. Some people call
them the “trash cans” of the animal world, because they will even eat
trash. 4. They eat plants, but they will also eat paper, plastic, and
other things we might throw away. 5. Goats will even eat plants
that have thorns on them.
62 words
DataWORKS Educational Research
(800) 495-1550 • www.dataworks-ed.com
©2011All rights reserved.
Comments? feedback@dataworksed.com
3rd Grade Reading Comprehension 2.5 (2Q)
Distinguish between the main idea and supporting
details in expository text.
Lesson to be used by EDI-trained teachers only.
Periodic Review 3
Name ________________________
The main idea is the one sentence that tells what the other sentences are all about.
Supporting details are the sentences that explain the main idea.
Distinguish between the main idea and supporting details.
Step #1: Read each sentence carefully.
Step #2: Identify the main idea. (Circle)
Step #3: Determine the supporting details. (Underline)
Step #4: Write the sentence number of the main idea and supporting details in the chart below.
Meat Eaters
1. Plants that eat insects have special parts that catch their prey1. 2. Even those
these plants eat insects, they are not animals. 3. The Venus flytrap catches its food by snapping its
leaves shut. 4. The Pitcher plant collects its prey in a sac2. 5. The Sundew plant has a sticky, hairy
covering that traps insects so they can’t get away.
57 words
1
2
living thing hunted by something else
part on a plant or animal shaped like a bag
DataWORKS Educational Research
(800) 495-1550 • www.dataworks-ed.com
©2011All rights reserved.
Comments? feedback@dataworksed.com
3rd Grade Reading Comprehension 2.5 (2Q)
Distinguish between the main idea and supporting
details in expository text.
Lesson to be used by EDI-trained teachers only.