Lessons & Units :: Main Idea 3rd Grade Unit

Lesson 2: First and Last Sentences (Passage)

Lesson Plan

Learning Goal
Identify the main idea of a passage using the first or last sentence of each paragraph.
Duration
Approximately 50 minutes.
Necessary Materials
Provided: Direct Teaching Passage, “Unhappy Feet?;” Direct Teaching Answer Key; Guided Practice Passage, “Now That’s a Big Bird!;” Independent Practice Passage, “Kids Get Healthy” and Worksheet
Not Provided: N/A

  • Teacher Modeling

    will review the strategy of using the first or last sentence of a paragraph to help identify the main idea of the paragraph. I will discuss how the main idea of each paragraph will help you determine the main idea of the entire passage. I will read “Unhappy Feet” by Brooke Ross (see Direct Teaching Worksheet and Answer Key in Teacher and Student Materials below) and identify the main idea of each paragraph. We will look at the main idea of each paragraph and discuss the main idea of the entire passage. We will compare the main idea of the passage to the title and discuss how they are related.

  • Think Check

    Ask: How did I identify the main idea of the passage? Students should respond that you used the first and last sentence of each paragraph to help you identify what each paragraph was mostly about. You then used those sentences to help you identify what the passage was mostly about.

    TIP: If students are struggling to identify the main idea of a passage, re-teach Lesson 1 and ensure that your students have mastered identifying the main idea of a paragraph before moving on to the full passage.

  • Guided Practice

    will read “Now That’s a Big Bird” (Guided Practice Worksheet below) and identify the main idea of each paragraph. We will look at the main idea of each paragraph and discuss the main idea of the entire passage. We will compare the main idea of the passage to the title and discuss how they are related.

    TIP: After the main idea of each paragraph is identified, consider recording them on sentence strips or chart paper. Students can then determine the main idea of the passage using just this information.

  • Independent Practice

    will read “Kids Get Healthy” by Rachelle Kreisman (passage is provided) and identify the main idea of each paragraph by using the first or last sentence of each paragraph. You will use that information to identify the main idea of the entire passage and explain how you know it is the main idea. (Student Independent Practice is provided below.)

Standards Alignment

(To see all of the ReadWorks lessons aligned to your standards, click here.)

Build Student Vocabulary enforce

Tier 2 Word: enforce
Contextualize the word as it is used in the story It’s up to school districts to decide how to enforce the law.
Explain the meaning student-friendly definition) To enforce a law or a rule means to make sure that the law or rule is followed. The school districts need to follow what the law says, but each school district will decide how they will make sure that the law is followed.
Students repeat the word Say the word enforce with me: enforce.
Teacher gives examples of the word in other contexts We enforce our classroom rules by having consequences, such as losing recess, for students who do not follow the rules. Police Officers enforce the law by arresting people who commit a crime or by giving people tickets which require them to pay a fine when they park in a no-parking zone.
Students provide examples How are rules enforced in your home? Tell me about it by saying: “Rules where I lived are enforced by _____________.”
Students repeat the word again. What word are we talking about? enforce
Additional Vocabulary Words promote, habits

Build Student Background Knowledge

After reading the passage and identifying the main idea, explain that terror birds are believed to be flightless birds. Their wings were not developed to fly their large bodies across land. Scientists also believe that other birds linked to dinosaurs glided from treetops with feathered limbs, rather than flying. Paleontologists, scientists who study dinosaurs, are still debating whether there is a dinosaur-bird connection.

Teacher and Student Materials Get All

User Comments

I also spent time looking for the answer keys for the main idea selections. Some paragraphs are a little more clear than the others.
Submitted by Judy on 3/12/13
The first paragraph of Unhappy Feet does not fit the first/last sentence goal of the lesson, according to the answer key. Was this intentional?
Submitted by David on 12/10/12
I don't see the answer key for Now, That's a Big Bird or Kids Eat Healthy
Submitted by Amy Lynch on 10/9/12
I'm sure you read at atleast a 3rd grade level, so you can probably figure it out! lol
Submitted by Heather on 10/21/12
Hi Amy, Answer keys are not currently available for those two worksheets, though we will be sure to let you know if that changes.
Submitted by ReadWorks Team on 10/9/12

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