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Entire Librarylesson-planFirst GradeReading & WritingMain Idea or Topic? You Decide!

Lesson Plan

Main Idea or Topic? You Decide!

Provide students with an opportunity to closely examine the difference between a topic and main idea in a nonfiction text. Use as a stand-alone activity or a support for the Finding the Main Idea and Details in a Nonfiction Text lesson.
This lesson can be used as a pre-lesson for the Main Idea and Details in Nonfiction Text lesson plan.
Grade
First Grade
Second Grade
Subject
Reading & Writing
English Learner
English Learner Prelessons
View aligned standards
TX ELP c3B
NY NLAP RL.1:RL.2.1
CA ELD PI.2.6
NY NLAP RL.2: RL.2.2
RI.1.2
RI.2.1
RI.2.2
This lesson can be used as a pre-lesson for the Main Idea and Details in Nonfiction Text lesson plan.

Objectives

Academic

Students will be able to identify the main idea of a grade level text.

Language

Students will be able to identify the topic and main idea with grade level words, phrases, and sentences using a graphic organizer for support.

Introduction

(3 minutes)
Finding the Topic and Main Idea of a Nonfiction TextVocabulary Cards: Main Idea or Topic? You Decide!Glossary: Main Idea or Topic? You Decide!Teach Background Knowledge TemplateWrite Student-Facing Language Objectives Reference
  • Show the cover of a nonfiction book and review the definition of nonfiction in kid-friendly language. Explain to the students that a nonfiction text or book is about a real topic.
  • Explain that today students will be learning about the difference between a main topic and a main idea in a nonfiction text.