Finding the Main Idea

Finding the Main Idea

Grade: 2nd · Time: ~30 min

What is a main idea?

The main idea is what a paragraph is mostly about. The details are the little facts that tell us more.

Model it (10 min)

Read a short paragraph aloud (a few sentences about, say, honeybees). Then say: "This paragraph is mostly about how bees make honey. That's the main idea." Point to two details that support it.

Try together (10 min)

Read a second short paragraph. Ask:

• "What is this mostly about?" (main idea)
• "What are two details that tell us more?"

Draw a table: a sun in the middle (main idea) with rays going out (details).

On their own (10 min)

Give your student a third paragraph. Have them write one sentence for the main idea and list two details.

Standards

RI.2.2 — Identify the main topic of a multi-paragraph text as well as the focus of specific paragraphs.