Lesson 19: Central or Main Idea
Duration of Days: 1
Lesson Objective
After rereading and discussing a model of close reading, students will be able to analyze the development of central or main ideas throughout a text.
Checklist for Central or Main Idea:
In order to identify a central idea of a text, note the following:
- the central or main idea, if it is explicitly stated
when the central idea emerges
- ways in which supporting ideas relate to the central idea
- key details and supporting ideas that connect to the author’s point or message
To determine a central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including its relationship to
supporting ideas, consider the following questions:
- What main idea(s) do the details in each paragraph explain or describe?
- What bigger idea do all the paragraphs support?
- What is the best way to state the central idea?
- How do the supporting ideas and details help develop the central idea over the course of the text?
- How might you objectively summarize the text and message? What details would you include?
RI/L.8.1, RI/L.8.2, SL.8.1.A, SL.8.1.C, SL.8.2
DOK 2
Text Chunking
Guiding Questions
Sentence Starters & Response Frames
Small Group Support
Graphic Organizers
Visual Glossary
Modeling
Think-a-Louds
Quiz questions, Open-Ended Response Questions, Discussion and Notes
StudySync Lessons on Central or Main Idea