Identifying Main Idea and Supporting Details
Finding the Main Idea and Supporting Details in Paragraphs
Learning Standards
Content Standard
The learner demonstrates understanding of reading comprehension strategies
Performance Standard
The learner is able to identify main ideas and supporting details in various texts
Learning Competency
Identify the main idea and supporting details in informational texts
Code: EN4RC-Ia-2.1
Complete Lesson Plan
Learning Objectives
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Define main idea and supporting details
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Identify the main idea of a paragraph
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Find supporting details that explain the main idea
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Distinguish between main idea and details in reading passages
Lesson Procedures
motivation
Tell a short story: 'Yesterday was my birthday. I got many presents. We ate cake. My friends came over.' Ask: 'What is the most important idea in my story?'
presentation
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Present sample paragraph:
'Dogs make wonderful pets. They are loyal to their owners. Dogs can be trained to do tricks. They also protect the family. Dogs love to play and exercise with people.'
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Ask: 'What is this paragraph mostly about?' → Dogs make wonderful pets (MAIN IDEA)
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Ask: 'What details tell us WHY dogs make wonderful pets?' → The other sentences (SUPPORTING DETAILS)
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Explain the umbrella strategy:
- Main idea = umbrella (covers everything)
- Supporting details = things under the umbrella
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Show another example:
'The Philippines has many beautiful beaches. Boracay has white sand and clear water. Palawan has amazing rock formations. Siargao is perfect for surfing. These beaches attract tourists from around the world.'
Main Idea: The Philippines has many beautiful beaches Supporting Details:
- Boracay has white sand
- Palawan has rock formations
- Siargao is good for surfing
- Beaches attract tourists
generalization
Questions:
- What is the main idea?
- What are supporting details?
- How do we find the main idea in a paragraph?
- Why are supporting details important?
guided practice
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Read paragraph together and find main idea:
'Fruits are healthy foods. They have vitamins that keep us strong. Fruits give us energy. Eating fruits helps prevent diseases. We should eat fruits every day.'
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Students identify:
- Main Idea: ____________
- Supporting Details: ____________
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Use graphic organizer to map ideas
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Highlight main idea in GREEN and supporting details in YELLOW
independent practice
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Activity 1: Read each paragraph and circle the main idea sentence:
Paragraph 1: 'Reading is important. It helps us learn new things. Reading improves our vocabulary. It also makes our imagination stronger.'
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Activity 2: Complete the graphic organizer:
Main Idea: Plants need water to grow. Supporting Details:
-
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Activity 3: Write a paragraph about your favorite food. Include:
- 1 main idea sentence
- 3 supporting detail sentences
preliminary activities
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Prayer and greetings
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Review: Topic sentences
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Quick activity: What's the topic of our class today?
Assessment
answers
- Bees are important insects
- (Any 3): Help flowers make seeds, make honey, make beeswax, plants need them
- None (all support the main idea)
- (Accept any relevant main idea about school)
- (Accept appropriate supporting details)
evaluation
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Read and answer:
Paragraph: 'Bees are important insects. They help flowers make seeds by spreading pollen. Bees make honey that people eat. They also make beeswax for candles. Without bees, many plants would not survive.'
- What is the main idea?
- List 3 supporting details
- Which sentence is NOT a supporting detail? (if any)
- Write your own main idea sentence about school
- Add 2 supporting details to your main idea
Materials & Resources
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Sample paragraphs on chart paper
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Main idea graphic organizers
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Reading passages at appropriate level
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Highlighters (green and yellow)
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Manila paper and markers
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Comprehension worksheets
assignment
Homework:
- Find a paragraph in your favorite book and identify the main idea and 3 supporting details
- Write a paragraph about your family (main idea + 4 supporting details)
- Practice with reading comprehension worksheets
Remarks:
- Use graphic organizers consistently to help students visualize structure
- Provide varied texts (stories, informational, etc.)
subject matter
Topic: Main Idea and Supporting Details
Key Concepts:
- Main Idea is the most important point or central message of a paragraph
- Supporting Details are facts, examples, or descriptions that explain the main idea
- Main idea answers: 'What is this paragraph mostly about?'
- Supporting details answer: 'What information supports or proves the main idea?'
Materials:
- Sample paragraphs on chart paper
- Graphic organizers (main idea umbrellas)
- Reading passages
- Highlighters
- Manila paper and markers