teaching resource

What's the Main Idea? Worksheet-Graphic Organizer

  • Updated

    Updated:  30 May 2023

Help students work out the main idea and supporting detail of a text with a handy main idea worksheet.

  • Editable

    Editable:  Google Slides

  • Non-Editable

    Non-Editable:  PDF

  • Pages

    Pages:  1 Page

  • Curriculum
  • Grades

    Grades:  2 - 3

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teaching resource

What's the Main Idea? Worksheet-Graphic Organizer

  • Updated

    Updated:  30 May 2023

Help students work out the main idea and supporting detail of a text with a handy main idea worksheet.

  • Editable

    Editable:  Google Slides

  • Non-Editable

    Non-Editable:  PDF

  • Pages

    Pages:  1 Page

  • Curriculum
  • Grades

    Grades:  2 - 3

Help students work out the main idea and supporting detail of a text with a handy main idea worksheet.

Buzz Around this Main Idea Worksheet

Use this cute graphic organizer featuring a hive and bees to help students identify the main idea of a text and the bits of supporting detail found in any piece of writing. The hive is the main idea, and the bees are the key bits of detail that make up the main idea. Cute!

How to Find the Main Idea

Our Finding the Main Idea anchor chart is the perfect partner for this graphic organizer. The following explanation is included on this poster and explained in child-friendly language.

The main idea of a text is the most important point that the author makes about the topic.
The details are the key points that support the main idea.

To find the main idea when you are reading, you can:

  • read the title and look at the cover for clues
  • think about and identify the important information
  • look for repeated words, pictures, information, themes or ideas
  • ask yourself, “What is the text mostly about?”

Download More Main Idea and Supporting Details Worksheets!

Identifying the main idea helps children understand the overall meaning and purpose of a text. It allows them to extract the most important information and grasp the central message that the author is trying to convey.

Use the drop-down menu to choose between the PDF or editable Google slide version of this resource. The editable resource allows you to change the language of the graphic organizer to suit what you are teaching your class.


More Finding the Main Idea resources:

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Main Idea and Details in Nonfiction Text — Instructional Slide Deck

Build skills in identifying main idea and details in nonfiction texts with an instructional slide deck for primary grades.

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Comprehension Task Cards - Finding The Main Idea

A set of comprehension task cards to help students find the main idea when reading.

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Image of Finding the Main Idea - Comprehension Task (Thunderstorms)

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Finding the Main Idea - Comprehension Task (Thunderstorms)

Explore thunderstorms and consolidate knowledge of the main idea and supporting details of a text with this comprehension task.

Teach Starter Publishing6 pagesGrades: 4 - 5

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