Main Idea and Supporting Details Worksheets: Passages with Graphic Organizers

Do your students struggle with determining the main idea and supporting details of a passage? Finding the main idea and the key supporting details can be a difficult skill for some students to master. Using a graphic organizer can help students master this standard. Pairing the graphic organizer with ice cream makes it even more enjoyable!

This main idea resource consists of five worksheets. Each worksheet contains a high-interest nonfiction reading passage followed by an ice cream cone graphic organizer. After reading a passage, students fill in the graphic organizer by writing the main idea beside the cone, and the three most important supporting details beside the three scoops of ice cream.

These no-prep theme worksheets are ready to go for you. Just print and go! With five unique worksheets, this packet is ideal for teachers who wish to use a scaffolded approach, like the "I Do, We Do, You Do" teaching strategy. You can complete one or two worksheets as a class or small group, and then have the students complete the remaining worksheets independently.

Answer keys are included.

********This resource is available in TWO FORMATS:

1. TRADITIONAL PRINTABLES- Print the PDF and distribute paper copies to your students to complete.

2. EASEL ACTIVITY- I created a new, colorful version for this digital format. Students can complete this activity on a device. Students read each passage and identify the main idea and supporting details. They type complete sentences into the answer boxes.

If you are interested in viewing the format that is compatible with GOOGLE SLIDES, click here.

Here's what teachers like you have to say about this resource:

• Amanda A. said, "One of the best main idea/key details activities I've ever used. It really helped reinforce the concepts and aligned with the popular ice cream cone graphic organizer that we use in class."

• Cindy F. said, "The ice cream cone was a great visual. I thought that 5th and 6th graders knew the concept, but it was like a lightbulb went off with the visuals."

• Lakin W. said, "My students found these passages interesting, so they were more engaged in their learning. I like that they have to write the main idea and detail rather than it being multiple choice."

• Sarah C. said, "This was exactly what I was looking for. The passages were interesting and engaged some of my more reluctant students."

• Kristine P. said, "My students love this strategy for remembering main idea and details. They were introduced to it in September and still reference this in February!"

I have several more items related to main idea available in my store. (Just click on the links below to take a peek!)

MAIN IDEA AND DETAILS CRAFTIVITY: ICE CREAM CONES!

Main Idea and Details Craftivity: The Earth Foldable Book

Main Idea and Supporting Details PowerPoint

Main Idea: Targeted Tri-folds

Main Idea Task Cards (with a game-like recording sheet)

Main Idea and Details: Two Passages FREE (These worksheets are arranged exactly like this freebie. A fellow teacher contacted me and asked me if I would create more worksheets with this graphic organizer layout.)

Copyright by Deb Hanson

This item is a paid digital download from my TpT store

www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Deb-Hanson

This product is to be used by the original downloader only. Copying for more than one teacher is prohibited. This item is also bound by copyright laws. Redistributing, editing, selling, or posting this item (or any part thereof) on an Internet site that is not password protected are all strictly prohibited without first gaining permission from the author. Violations are subject to the penalties of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. Please contact me if you wish to be granted special permissions!