Main Idea

This mini unit includes resources to introduce or review main idea to your 3rd graders. The unit is aligned to the Common Core standards.. This unit includes a PowerPoint/Google Slides, graphic organizers, reading comprehension passages, questions, exit slips, and activities. It also includes recommended books that will support you in teaching students how to find the main idea. Let's get into the specifics.

✋🛑 The materials in this resource are the same ones included in The Literacy Loft Membership. If you are a monthly or annual member, please do not purchase! If you'd like to learn more about the membership, click here!

What is included?

Topics Covered: Main Idea (5 Strategies: First Sentence, Last Sentence, Text Features, Repeated Words, Ask: What is the text mostly about?)

1. Google Slides/PowerPoint: This is an interactive teaching presentation to use to teach the skills. The Google Slides and PowerPoints help you teach or review the skill. There are three versions included in both PowerPoint & Google Slides. The slide presentation is organized so that you can:

1. Model the Skill
2. Let's Try It! (Active Engagement)
3. Independent Practice (Exit Slip)

Version 1: (Teaching Slides) These slides include transitions so that you can discuss the answers before they appear. The answers are also in the notes section of the slideshow.

Version 2: (Student Slides)  These slides can be used if you are teaching virtually or if you want to use this as a review and have students complete on their own.

Version 3: (Answer Key) This slide has all the answers.

2. Exit Slips: Each exit slip can be printed out 2 per page. The Exit Slips are also available in Google Forms. The exit slips are multiple choice or short response.

3. Reading Comprehension Passages: There a total of 5 Reading Comprehension Passages & Questions. The questions are all based on main idea.

4. Graphic Organizers: These graphic organizers for main idea and supporting details can be used with any text.

5. Reading Posters: A reading poster for finding the main idea.

6. Main Idea Practice: Printable practice pages for students to practice finding the main idea in a short amount of text.

7. Main Idea Match: This matching activity is perfect for a reading center or can even be used as a notebook activity. Prep: Print on colored paper (optional) and laminate (optional). Cut each puzzle piece into two parts. Store in a Ziploc bag and use as a reading center or as a group activity. There are a total of 12 pieces with different main ideas. Each page is about the same topic, but each paragraph has a different main idea.

8. Recommended Book List: a list of books you can use to teach main idea

🛑 Are you a member of the TLL Membership? These materials are already included. If you are not a member, click here to learn more. The TLL Membership gives you an all-access pass to hundreds of ELA resources for teachers in Grades 3-5.

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This mini unit includes resources to introduce or review main idea to your 4th and 5th graders. This unit includes a PowerPoint/Google Slides, graphic organizers, reading comprehension passages, questions, exit slips, and activities. It also includes recommended books that will support you in teaching students how to find the main idea. Let's get into the specifics.

✋🛑 The materials in this resource are the same ones included in The Literacy Loft Membership. If you are a monthly or annual member, please do not purchase! If you'd like to learn more about the membership, click here!

1. Model the Skill
2. Let's Try It! (Active Engagement)
3. Independent Practice (Exit Slip)

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⭐️ EVERYTHING you need to teach Reading Comprehension for 3rd grade this year! This bundle includes reading comprehension passages and questions, reading worksheets, exit tickets, posters, graphic organizers, and both print and digital resources to make your lessons engaging and effective!

Topics include: Context Clues, Point of View, Story Elements, Text Features, and so much more (scroll down for the full list ⬇️)! Each mini unit in this bundle will include resources to introduce or review essential reading skills to your 3rd graders. The units are aligned to the Common Core standards. They are also rooted in providing a foundation for the skills that are crucial to reading comprehension. The units include stand-alone resources such as reading comprehension passages, questions, exit slips, and activities. But each unit also includes recommended chapter and picture books that will support you in teaching each skill.

What is included in each unit?
1. Google Slides/PowerPoint: This is an interactive teaching presentation to use to teach the skills. The Google Slides and PowerPoints help you teach or review the skill. There are three versions included in both PowerPoint & Google Slides. The slide presentation is organized so that you can:

• Model the Skill
• Let's Try It! (Active Engagement)
• Independent Practice (Exit Slip)

Version 1: (Teaching Slides) These slides include transitions so that you can discuss the answers before they appear. The answers are also in the notes section of the slideshow.

Version 2: (Student Slides)  These slides can be used if you are teaching virtually or if you want to use this as a review and have students complete on their own.

Version 3: (Answer Key) This slide has all the answers.

2. Exit Slips: Each exit slip can be printed out 2 per page. The Exit Slips are also available in Google Forms. The exit slips are multiple choice or short response.

3. Reading Comprehension Passages: Each unit will include a total of 5 Reading Comprehension Passages & Questions to practice the skill.

4. Graphic Organizers

5. Reading Posters

6. Reading Activities: The activities included will be a variety including sorts, matches, and more that will be dependent on the skill/standard.

7. Recommended Book List: a list of picture books & chapter books.

Digital and Print Format

Each unit will be offered in both a printable pdf and a digital format (Google Slides and Google Forms).

This is a Growing Bundle!

What is a growing bundle?

This bundle gives you access to all CURRENT and FUTURE Reading Mini Units for 3rd Grade. Because this is a growing bundle, all future units added to this bundle will cost you ZERO additional dollars. You'll simply be able to download any new additions from your account. This bundle will grow over time and be filled with Reading Mini Units in both a print + digital option (Google Slides + Google Forms). When you buy into the bundle, you are paying the low introductory price. The price will increase as units are added to the bundle, but you only pay once! There are no release dates for the remaining units to be added. Please see a list of planned sets that are forthcoming below. 

What is already included?
Literature
Point of View added on 11/03/2025
Context Clues (same as the nonfiction)
Story Elements
Making Inferences 
Theme

Informational
Summarizing Nonfiction added on 10/27/2025
Context Clues (same as the literature)
Main Idea
Text Structure
Text Features 

⭐️Bonus⭐️
Parts of Speech Mini Unit

Upcoming Units
The following units will be added to the 3rd Grade bundle.

Literature
Central Message
Context Clues
Structure of Poetry, Drama, & Prose
Point of View
Connecting Words & Pictures
Compare & Contrast Stories
Figurative Language 

Informational
Context Clues
Text Features
Author's Point of View
Compare & Contrast Informational Texts

🛑 Are you a member of the TLL Membership? These materials are already included. If you are not a member, click here to learn more. The TLL Membership gives you an all-access pass to hundreds of ELA resources for teachers in Grades 3-5.

If you have any questions or requests, please send me an email at help@theliteracyloft.com

Other ELA resources you may L♥VE...

Other ELA resources you may L♥VE...