Lessons & Units

Main Idea 2nd Grade Unit

Lessons

Lesson 1 Using Headings to Determine the Main Idea (Nonfiction) Identify and describe the main idea of a nonfiction text using section headings and textual details.
The Shark: Silent Hunter
The Shark: Silent Hunter
Lesson 2 Using Chapter Titles to Determine the Main Idea (Fiction) Identify and describe the main idea of a chapter in a fiction text using chapter titles and textual details.
Pinky and Rex and the Perfect Pumpkin
Pinky and Rex and the Perfect Pumpkin
Lesson 3 Creating a Chapter Title Identify and describe the main idea of a chapter in a fiction text using textual evidence.Use the main idea to create a chapter title for a chapter in a fiction text.
Pinky and Rex and the Perfect Pumpkin
Pinky and Rex and the Perfect Pumpkin

Unit Extension Ideas

  • Have students create a new title for a chapter based on the main idea.
  • Provide students with sentences from familiar books that reflect the main idea and have them match the sentences to the titles of the books.
  • Copy passages or sections from a book and have students identify the main idea and create a title or heading for the passage or section.
  • Have students create titles for a story that they write or tell that reflect the main idea of the story.
  • In nonfiction writing, have students create headings for sections that reflect the main idea of that section.
  • Provide students with a main idea and have the students create a story and title based on that main idea.
  • Tell students a story and have students determine its main idea and a title for the story.
  • Have students discuss the main idea of their stories and help them revise by adding details that support the main idea and deleting details that do not.
  • Watch a DVD movie that has chapter titles. Discuss how the chapter titles tell the main idea of a part of the movie.
  • Have students read Concepts of Comprehension Reading Passages with headings. Students should use the headings to determine the main idea of each paragraph. They can use a highlighter to highlight the sentence or sentences that are evidence of the main idea of each paragraph.
  • When reading a science or social studies textbook, have students use the headings to determine the main idea of each paragraph and section. You can also ask students to cover up the title of the chapter and use evidence from the text to determine the main idea and title.

Teacher and Student Materials

More Books for Teaching Main Idea

Mr. Putter and Tabby Write the Book

Mr. Putter and Tabby Write the Book

Fountas and Pinnell
J
Lexile
570L

As you read the book aloud, have students make predictions about the main idea of each chapter based on the titles. Then have them discuss the main idea of each chapter.

Manatees

Manatees

Fountas and Pinnell
O
Lexile
580L

Photocopy sections of the book and have students determine the main idea of each section. Then have students create a title or heading for each section.

Life Cycle of an Apple

Life Cycle of an Apple

Fountas and Pinnell
I
Lexile
IG620L

Read the book aloud, but do not read the title. Photocopy pictures from the book. Have students identify the main idea and create a title for the book.

Caimans

Caimans

Photocopy sections of the book and have students determine the main idea of each section. Then have students create a title or heading for each section.

In My Momma's Kitchen

In My Momma's Kitchen

Lexile
530L

Read the story aloud to students, but do not show the pictures or read the title. Have students determine the main idea and title for the story based on the text.

Leopards (In the Wild)

Leopards (In the Wild)

Photocopy sections of the book and have students determine the main idea of each section. Then have students create a title or heading for each section.

User Comments

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