Using Headings to Determine the Main Idea in Nonfiction

The lesson uses a piece of informational text to teach students how to determine main idea using headings. The link includes a direct teaching example chart and a printable independent practice worksheet. The lesson can be adapted to include other informational texts.

Weblink address (URL): 
Using Headings to Determine the Main Idea in Nonfiction

Standards & Objectives

Learning objectives: 

Learning Goal:

Identify and describe the main idea of a nonfiction text using section headings and textual details.

Lesson Variations

Blooms taxonomy level: 
Understanding
Interdisciplinary opportunities: 

If you decide to have students use other nonfiction books for the Independent Practice, make sure to review them before the lesson to ensure that the headings are very clear and explicitly inform students of the main idea.

Helpful Hints

Necessary Materials:

  • Provided: Direct Teaching Example Chart, Independent Practice Worksheet
  • Not Provided: The Shark: Silent Hunter by Renée Le Bloas-Julienne, chart paper, markers, copies of sections of The Shark or other nonfiction books from classroom or school library

References

Contributors: 
Kristin Keatts
Originator: 
Ayers Institute for Learning & Innovation