Teaching main idea is HARD. Teaching main idea to littles is really hard. Our firsties are just learning how to read, then we demand they make meaning and determine the central idea of a non-fiction text. WHAT?! That’s a LOT to expect out of emergent readers.
Main idea is not a “one and done” lesson to teach. This is a skill that students develop over time, with multiple exposures of explicit instruction and practice. We teach it frequently and embed it in as many other units as possible. And guys… our kids get it! We have found 7 strategies that are easy to use over and over again in our classrooms.
Main idea bags - This is not our original idea, but is one that has proven successful. It’s so simple to plan, increases engagement, and students don’t even realize they are learning. All you do is gather 3-5 items with a main idea in common, put them in a brown paper sack, and you’re ready for the lesson. Pull one item out of the bag at a time, have students think about what each item has in common with the last, then decide the main idea of the bag.
Here’s an example: arts and crafts bag. We put crayons, scissors, glue, and construction paper in a bag.
Anchor charts - If you look on Pinterest, you are bound to find some amazing anchor charts all about main idea. We like to make ours look like a pizza (because, who doesn’t love pizza?). The pizza is the main idea and the toppings are the details.
Use quality read alouds with an obvious central idea. Make sure you choose books that are high interest, colorful, and easy to understand. Our firsties always love all things nonfiction, but when we can choose a text that is interactive and fun, students always learn and remember. Here are some great books we LOVE to use, especially when introducing main idea. Click on the picture to go to Amazon - not an affiliate, we just love these books. Plus, there's SO MANY more.
Notice what repeats. When you read aloud to your students, make sure you are thinking aloud, too. Draw their attention to things that are repeated in the text or the pictures in the books you read. As you progress through the year, this is a strategy students can do with a buddy or independently with post-it notes. We also use this strategy during guided reading groups with our transitional readers. Again, simple and effective.
Use Whole Brain Teaching strategies. Teach students an easy to remember chant with large, exaggerated gestures to help them remember. For example: You say “The main idea” (make a circle motion with hands) “is the MOST important part of the story” (point in the middle of the circle). Have students repeat 2-3 times. Then, have students teach each other, and eventually do the chant without you at all.
Have students use the pictures/illustrations and words to find the main idea. Authors of nonfiction texts often use pictures and illustrations to give more information. Students need to be able to decide if information comes from the pictures or the words, then make meaning using both to determine the main idea of the story.
Use continued assessments. Make sure you are providing your students with varied assessments to determine their understanding of this difficult skill. This can be a verbal interview style assessment in a one-on-one setting, or paper/pencil independent assessment. Be sure to include cold reads to inform your teaching and drive instruction.
We hope these strategies help you and your students LOVE main idea. If you are looking for a great preplanned unit that uses these strategies, be sure to check out our Main Idea Unit for Primary on TpT. Click the picture below to check it out, or click here to get a freebie lesson.
Keep Flockin' It, guys!
-Kaysin and Robyn
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