Direct Instruction Lesson Plan Template

Grade Level/Subject: 3rd/ Reading Main

Idea

Central Focus: Identify the main idea of a paragraph using the first or last
sentence.

Essential Standard/Common Core Objective: 3.RI.2 Determine the main

idea of a text; recount the key details and explain how they support the main Date submitted:
Date taught:
idea.
Daily Lesson Objective: After reading the paragraphs, students will identify the main idea of the reading. To be
successful, students must include accurate responses to at least 3 out of 4 questions on the independent practice
worksheet.
21st Century Skills:
Academic Language Demand (Language Function and Vocabulary):
Language function: Main idea
Essential vocabulary: main idea in the end
Discourse: using the first or last sentence to identify the main idea
Prior Knowledge:

Activity
1. Focus and Review
2. Statement of Objective
for Student
3. Teacher Input

Description of Activities and Setting

If you are telling a story what do you need to include?
Today youre going to learn how to find the main idea in a paragraph. After
we practice youll be able to find the main idea of a paragraph on your own.
Knowing how to find the main idea helps you be a good reader because when
you can find the main idea, you know you have understood what you read.
The main idea is what the paragraph or the story is mostly about. When we
look for the main idea in a paragraph or story we can often look at the first
sentence or the last sentence to tell us what the main idea of the paragraph is
going to be. When we look for the main idea we still have to read the whole
passage and think about what was talked about most. Good readers identify
the main idea to help them understand the story better and to understand what
the author was writing about.
I am going to find the main idea of number 1 on our worksheet. Number one
says I have two brothers and two sisters. (So as I am reading I look at the
first sentence and see that this paragraph is most likely going to be talking
about his brothers and sisters)
Then I continue reading because it is important to read the whole paragraph.

My oldest brothers name is Matthew. My younger brothers name is Edward.

My youngest sisters name is Naomi. My older sisters name is Sarah.
So as I read on I noticed that the paragraph told me about his brothers and
sisters. I need to be sure to look at the last sentence when I am done reading
to see what the main idea could be. The last sentence says My older sisters
name is Sarah. I know the whole paragraph wasnt about Sarah so I would
look back to the first sentence, which was about his sisters and brothers and I
would think back to the paragraph and remember that it was about his brothers
and sisters.
The main idea of this paragraph is his brothers and sisters.

Time

I know this because it was stated in the first sentence and was supported with
details throughout the paragraph.
Now lets look at number 2 together.
Can somebody read the second one for me?
The second one says; Richard has five baseball posters hanging in his room.
He is always watching baseball on TV. He plays on two different baseball
teams. Richard loves baseball.
How could we find the main idea of this paragraph?
4. Guided Practice

If they are struggling prompt students to look at the first sentence. Have
somebody read the first sentence.
Ask was the whole paragraph about his 5 baseball posters?
Lets look at the last sentence. Have somebody read the last sentence.
Ask was the whole paragraph about how Richard loves baseball?
If students are struggling then go back and look at the paragraph for
supporting details.

5. Independent Practice

Give students a copy of the main idea independent practice worksheet. They
should read the short paragraphs and write the main idea for each.

6. Assessment Methods of
all objectives/skills:

Mastery - at least 3 of the 4 main idea questions are answered correctly.

No mastery (re-teaching needed) - 2 or fewer of the questions answered correctly.

7. Closure

What is a main idea of a paragraph or story? Whats one way we can find the
main idea in a story? Why do good readers need to know how to find the
main idea of a story?

8. Assessment Results of
all objectives/skills:
Targeted Students Modifications/Accommodations:

Student/Small Group Modifications/Accommodations:

Materials/Technology:
(Include any instructional materials (e.g., worksheets, assessments PowerPoint/SmartBoard slides, etc.) needed to implement the lesson at the end of the lesson plan.)

Main Idea Paragraphs for Direct Teaching and Guided Practice (6 copies),
Independent Practice Worksheet (5 copies)
References:
http://www.readworks.org/lessons/grade3/main-idea/lesson-1
Reflection on lesson (if taught):