Level 4 • Lesson 1 — Identify Main and Supporting Ideas

Objective

I can identify the main idea of a paragraph and choose supporting details that clearly explain or prove it.

Materials

Keyboard device (laptop/tablet) ⌨️
Writing Pad (below)
Optional: notebook for quick sketches

Tip: Ask, “What is this mostly about?” for the main idea. Then check that each detail supports that idea.

Mini-lesson — Main Idea vs Supporting Details

Main idea = the central point an author wants you to understand.
Supporting details = facts, examples, or reasons that explain the main idea.
Test it: If you remove a detail and the paragraph still makes sense, it might not be strong support.
Signal words: for example, for instance, because, one reason, another, in addition.
Check flow: topic sentence → detail → detail → closing (all on one idea).

Guided Practice — Writing Pad (Keyboard)

Read this topic sentence: “School gardens help students learn.”

Plan: Brainstorm 3 supporting details (e.g., science practice, teamwork, healthy eating).
Draft: Write a short paragraph (80–120 words).
Edit: Replace 1 weak word and fix punctuation.

0 words Saved

Drag & Drop — Build Sentences that Support the Main Idea

Drag a word and release it inside a slot to drop it. Chips stay within their own question.

Schoolgardensteachsciencethroughrealexperiments.

Studentsmeasureplantgrowthandrecorddata.

Gardeningbuildsteamworkbecauseeveryonehasajob.

Forexamplestudentslearnhowsunshineandwaterhelpplants.

Inadditionwetastevegetableswegrowwhichpromoteshealthyeating.

Thesedetailssupportthemainideathatgardenshelpstudentslearn.

Themainideaofaparagraphiswhatitismostlyabout.

Supportingdetailsexplainorprovethemainidea.

Becauseitnamesthetopicthefirstsentenceisoftenthemainidea.

Lookforrepeatedwordsandideastofindthemainidea.

Detailsthatwanderofftopicshouldberevisedorremoved.

Finallyrestatethemainideatoclosetheparagraph.

Quick Check (15 questions)

1) Which sentence best states a main idea?

We watered the plants yesterday. School gardens help students learn in many ways. The tomatoes were red.

2) A supporting detail should…

introduce a new, unrelated topic repeat the main idea word-for-word give an example, fact, or reason

3) Which word often introduces a supporting example?

for example finally however

4) Choose the detail that supports “Recycling helps the environment.”

My neighbor plays soccer. Recycling reduces trash in landfills. Pizza is my favorite food.

5) The main idea is usually found in the…

last word of the paragraph random middle sentence topic sentence or repeated idea

6) Which sentence is off-topic for “Dogs need daily care”?

Our car is blue. Dogs need fresh water each day. We brush our dog’s fur to keep it clean.

7) Which best revises a weak detail?

It is good. It reduces plastic use by reusing bottles. It’s fine.

8) If a detail does not fit the main idea, you should…

keep it anyway move it to the topic sentence revise or remove it

9) Best closing for a paragraph about “Exercise helps the brain”:

That’s why moving each day makes learning stronger. My shoes are red and blue. The gym has a basketball court.

10) Which question helps find the main idea?

Who is the tallest person? What is this mostly about? How many pages are there?

11) A list of examples with no topic sentence can still have a main idea if…

the last word rhymes it uses fancy adjectives the examples clearly point to one repeated idea

12) Which signal phrase introduces a reason?

one reason on the contrary for no reason

13) Which detail supports “Reading every day builds vocabulary”?

The playground has swings. New words show up often, so readers learn meanings. My backpack is green.

14) A strong paragraph should include…

many topics at once random facts a clear topic, 2–3 details, and a closing

15) When revising, which change improves clarity?

Replace “good” with a precise word like “effective”. Add three new unrelated sentences. Remove the topic sentence.

Assessment (parent/teacher)

States/identifies a clear main idea Chooses at least 2–3 supporting details that fit Removes or revises off-topic details Uses simple transitions (for example, because, in addition)

Exit ticket (student)

😀 I can find the main idea and select strong details 🙂 I need more practice spotting off-topic details 😅 It was tricky to write precise examples

I will practice…

Asking “What is this mostly about?” Adding “for example” with a fact Removing off-topic sentences

Lesson 1: Identify Main and Supporting Ideas