Explore with your class the purposes and author's intents for poetry titles. First you read several brief poems to the class and discuss how the authors may have chosen the titles. Then small groups read title-less poems posted around...

Fourth graders develop critical listening skills and answer four questions related to the story, THE EMPEROR AND THE KITE. They identify the main idea and recall a question that involves making a judgment.

Learning how to read an expository text is an essential skill. The questions on this two-page worksheet lead pupils to understand that the title, heading, diagrams, photographs, problems and captions all support the main idea of a...

Using a textbook, learners will examine various aspects related to the Triple Alliance of WWI. They complete a series of handouts, engage in a class discussion, and interpret a map showing both the Triple Alliance and the Triple Entente....

Elementary schoolers read paragraphs one at a time in order to pick out the main ideas. They choose which sentences are most important in a paragraph. This type of exercise prepares learners to identify the main idea in longer narratives.

In this exercise, learners examine the difference between a theme, topic, and moral. After a class discussion on the definition of literary themes, the instructor reads The Cello of Mr. O by Jane Cutler. Next, individuals analyze the...

First graders listen to the story "The Little Red Hen". They buddy read the story and then illustrate their own interpretation of the story on story paper. Students then use AlphaSmart to type their stories in sequential order.

Students read "The Great Kapok" and choose to agree or disagree with the main character's decision. They gather and organize details from multiple sources to defend their standpoints. They begin prewriting steps of process writing.

In this pre-reading activity instructional activity, students respond to 3 questions that require them to list main ideas, generate questions, and clarify unclear items prior to reading a selection.

Students examine synonyms from their reading. In this synonyms lesson, students use vocabulary from their reading to create a chart and illustrate the words. Students complete online activities from the story.

Third through fifth graders discover the importance of reading and plan a service project to provide books to children. First, they read the book The Important Book and then they brainstorm about the importance of reading. Afterward,...

In this main idea worksheet, students fill out a star graphic organizer about the main idea, movement, location, place, and more for a subject. Students complete 6 spaces.

In this critical thinking worksheet, students fill out a graphic organizer about a story they read including predicting, main idea, values, and more. Students complete 5 sections in the graphic organizer.

Learners make predictions about the coming up chapter in their book. Students are introduced to new vocabulary words and definition for this new chapter. Learners create a table where they can input the new vocabulary word, definition...

Pupils identify the main ideas or topics of a lesson or unit using the plus, minus and interesting graphic organizer. In this main idea or topic lesson, students examine the use of the PMI graphic organizer. They describe the item they...

Learners complete activities with the book Sarah Plain and Tall. In this literature lesson, students read chapter two and complete attached activities. They list the compound words they find and study new vocabulary. 

For this main idea worksheet, students write main idea sentences for the pictures that are given to them. Students write 8 main idea sentences for 8 pictures.

For this topic sentence learning exercise, students read a text about whale species. Students identify interrogative, declarative, imperative and exclamatory sentences. Students then complete another learning exercise in which student...

In this presentation worksheet, students fill in the blanks for the presentation outline with spots for an introduction and main points. Students fill in 1 introduction and 3 main points.

Sixth graders can identify five basic elements that most mysteries contain. They put the elements of mystery into a graphic organizer they can follow. They construct meaning after reading Poe's short story and identify or infer the...

Students read the story of "Julie of the Wolves." After completing a worksheet, groups of students create a graphic organizer containing the main idea and supporting details of the story. Individually, students answer questions about the...

Students discuss the importance of identifying the main idea in reading selections. After reading newspaper articles related to nutrition, students identify the main idea of the selection and three supporting details. A reading log...

Middle schoolers identify and interpret a tall tale by creating one their own as it relates to the theme on frogs. Students apply frogs as their guide and basis for their tale. Middle schoolers critique each others works and share them...

Students examine how to skim textual material. They read an article, and identify the main ideas by reading first and last paragraphs, topic sentences, and other organizational clues.