Students will
Learning objectives
- Identify the main idea of a short nonfiction paragraph.
- Tell a main idea apart from a supporting detail.
- Write a detail that supports the main idea.
- Write a title that sums up a whole paragraph.
Main Idea Worksheet
Students read three short nonfiction paragraphs, choose each one's main idea from three options, write a supporting detail, and title one paragraph.
Format
- Colour PDFThe full-colour resource, ready to print or projectAvailable
- PrintablePrinter-friendly, uses less inkAvailable
- Fillable PDFStudents type answers right into the fileAvailable
- Google ClassroomAssign and share digitallyComing soon
Only the colour PDF is ready for this resource so far. The other formats are on the way.
At a glance
- Grades
- 2–4
- Pages
- 2
- Type
- Worksheet
- Includes
- Answer key
Last updated
Page 1 of 2
Main idea and details in three nonfiction paragraphs
Students read three short nonfiction paragraphs, about a hummingbird's nest, lighthouses and maple syrup, and for each one choose the main idea from three options and write one supporting detail. A tip at the top gives them one test for every choice: what is the paragraph mostly about? The maple syrup paragraph has no topic sentence, so students work out the main idea from the steps, then give it a title. Any title that names the whole process counts, with "From Tree Sap to Syrup" as the model.
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From the creator
Teaching tips
1
In paragraph 2, wrong choice A ("Lighthouse keepers once tended the lamps") is copied almost word for word from the text, so students who match words rather than meaning pick it. Use the key's test: does almost every sentence tell more about this choice?
2
Some students pick "Hummingbirds drink nectar from flowers" for paragraph 1 because it is true. Point out that it is true but not in the paragraph.
3
For the title, students often name one step, such as drilling holes. Ask them to check the title against the first and last sentences of the paragraph.
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Skills covered
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Differentiation
Meet every learner.
Ways to adjust the three paragraphs for different readers.
Support
Read and talk first
- Read each paragraph aloud and have students say what it is mostly about before they look at the choices.
- Cross out one wrong choice together for each paragraph.
- Highlight the first sentence of paragraphs 1 and 2, which states the main idea.
On level
Teach as written
- All three paragraphs, the detail lines and the title.
- Students mark the sentence each detail came from.
Extension
Write the main idea
- Cover the choices and write each main idea in their own words first.
- Write a topic sentence for the maple syrup paragraph.
- Give titles to paragraphs 1 and 2 as well.
Curriculum alignment.
Each one is checked against the official document. Where the resource covers only part of a standard, the note says so.
Ontario Language (2023) · Grade 3
C2.6Identify the main idea
Students read three short paragraphs, choose the main idea of each from three options and write one supporting detail. Putting details in order is not covered.
C3.3Main and supporting ideas
Students tell the main idea apart from details that are true but too small, and give a title to one paragraph. Sequencing and comparing and contrasting are not covered.
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