Lessons & Units :: Main Idea 3rd Grade Unit

Lesson 2: First and Last Sentences (Passage)

Lesson Plan

Learning Goal
Identify the main idea of a passage using the first or last sentence of each paragraph.
Duration
Approximately 50 minutes.
Necessary Materials
Provided: Direct Teaching Passage, “Unhappy Feet?;” Direct Teaching Answer Key; Guided Practice Passage, “Now That’s a Big Bird!;” Independent Practice Passage, “Kids Get Healthy” and Worksheet
Not Provided: N/A
 

  • Teacher Modeling

    will review the strategy of using the first or last sentence of a paragraph to help identify the main idea of the paragraph. I will discuss how the main idea of each paragraph will help you determine the main idea of the entire passage. I will read “Unhappy Feet” by Brooke Ross (see Direct Teaching Worksheet and Answer Key in the Texts & Materials tab) and identify the main idea of each paragraph. We will look at the main idea of each paragraph and discuss the main idea of the entire passage. We will compare the main idea of the passage to the title and discuss how they are related.

  • Think Check

    Ask: How did I identify the main idea of the passage? Students should respond that you used the first and last sentence of each paragraph to help you identify what each paragraph was mostly about. You then used those sentences to help you identify what the passage was mostly about.

    TIP: If students are struggling to identify the main idea of a passage, re-teach Lesson 1 and ensure that your students have mastered identifying the main idea of a paragraph before moving on to the full passage.

  • Guided Practice

    will read “Now That’s a Big Bird” (see the Guided Practice Worksheet in the Texts & Materials tab) and identify the main idea of each paragraph. We will look at the main idea of each paragraph and discuss the main idea of the entire passage. We will compare the main idea of the passage to the title and discuss how they are related.

    TIP: After the main idea of each paragraph is identified, consider recording them on sentence strips or chart paper. Students can then determine the main idea of the passage using just this information.

  • Independent Practice

    will read “Kids Get Healthy” by Rachelle Kreisman (passage is provided in the Texts & Materials tab) and identify the main idea of each paragraph by using the first or last sentence of each paragraph. You will use that information to identify the main idea of the entire passage and explain how you know it is the main idea. (The Student Independent Practice is provided in the Texts & Materials tab.)

Build Student Vocabulary enforce

Tier 2 Word: enforce
Contextualize the word as it is used in the story It’s up to school districts to decide how to enforce the law.
Explain the meaning student-friendly definition) To enforce a law or a rule means to make sure that the law or rule is followed. The school districts need to follow what the law says, but each school district will decide how they will make sure that the law is followed.
Students repeat the word Say the word enforce with me: enforce.
Teacher gives examples of the word in other contexts We enforce our classroom rules by having consequences, such as losing recess, for students who do not follow the rules. Police Officers enforce the law by arresting people who commit a crime or by giving people tickets which require them to pay a fine when they park in a no-parking zone.
Students provide examples How are rules enforced in your home? Tell me about it by saying: “Rules where I lived are enforced by _____________.”
Students repeat the word again. What word are we talking about? enforce
Additional Vocabulary Words promote, habits

Build Student Background Knowledge

After reading the passage and identifying the main idea, explain that terror birds are believed to be flightless birds. Their wings were not developed to fly their large bodies across land. Scientists also believe that other birds linked to dinosaurs glided from treetops with feathered limbs, rather than flying. Paleontologists, scientists who study dinosaurs, are still debating whether there is a dinosaur-bird connection.

Texts & Materials

Standards Alignment

(To see all of the ReadWorks lessons aligned to your standards, click here.)

User Comments

Looking forward to implementing this in my classroom.

Submitted by achievr67_2706232 on 3/12/17

My students will benefit from this lesson. Thank you ReadWorks.

Submitted by janzb_1338844 on 9/19/16

Thank you!

Submitted by mkeele_1433509 on 3/18/16

THIS IS AMAZING
MY STUDENTS ARE REALLY UNDERSTANDING
I LOVE THIS
THANK YOU
GOD BLESS YOU
#LOVE THIS
READING
ELA

Submitted by v.mulas_1775833 on 2/28/16

Excellent lessons, it does simplify the way to help the students better understand the concept. thank you!

Submitted by dhuggins_1680064 on 1/22/16

I can't tell you how useful and effective the ReadWorks lessons are!!! I've had students STRUGGLING with grasping the main idea and key supporting details and with YOUR help and resources, they got it!!!!!! Thank you sooooo much!!!!!!

Submitted by skformejhk on 1/13/16

It solved a problem I had when teaching the main idea through key details. The passage was too long for some of the kids I have in resource so this is a much better way of chunking the lesson.

Submitted by hu4242001_1472322 on 12/8/15

I love these resources. I find them to be really helpful!!!

Submitted by goldenappledurango_1574699 on 11/3/15

Excellent way to teach the concept of Main Idea. Thank you.

Submitted by monica.eppinger_1264403 on 9/29/15

I absolutely love the rigor in these resources and lessons.
One thing I would love to see is some sample answers for the WE DO and I DO... sometimes I can figure out what to say, but as a Learning Facilitator, it would be nice to just have an idea of what to look for in my learner's answers without being subjective.

Submitted by jdenni_1176498 on 2/20/15

Thank you for such wonderful resources.

Submitted by mary.d.brown on 9/21/15

Wow, this is perfect for my small group intervention. Thank you!!!

Submitted by rustevensortiz_1205982 on 1/28/15

Thank you for these great resources. It was a refreshing way to teach my struggling readers,!

Submitted by redheadford on 1/23/15

This is a great resource for demonstrating the "I do, we do, you do" for Main Idea and supporting details.

Submitted by phess1141 on 11/18/14

Thanks for these great resources

Submitted by maggiemoo242 on 11/10/14

I love these resources. Thank you so much!

Submitted by rskinner_2 on 11/5/14