Main Idea: School Version

The concept of a main idea with supporting details can be tricky for young learners. These reading comprehension passages are designed to help students become confident identifying the main idea of a text and understanding how details support the main idea. 

This app includes 15 short passages. Students read the passage and then answer two multiple choice questions and one open ended question. The first multiple choice question with each passage asks about main idea. The second multiple choice question consistently asks about a supporting detail. The open ended questions include topics such as author's purpose and distinguishing fact from opinion.

These reading comprehension passages were originally offered on Teachers Pay Teachers. To view feedback from teachers using the paper/pencil version, search: "Anne Gardner" on Teachers Pay Teachers.

What teachers are saying:

"I love your products! They are absolutely spot on for what kids need--what's important for them to practice--and pleasing to look at without all the cute fluff. Thank you." Michaela

"These passages are great and perfect for finding the main idea and details. Thank you!" Tonya G.

The questions are intentionally designed to require students to go back and find evidence within the text. 


These activities support the following Common Core Standards:

ELA-Literacy.RI.1.2 - Identify the main topic and retell key details of a text. 
ELA-Literacy.RI.1.1 – Ask and answer questions about key details in a text. 
ELA-Literacy.RL.1.1 - Ask and answer questions about key details in a text. 
ELA-Literacy.RL.1.2 - Retell stories, including key details, and demonstrate understanding of their central message or lesson.

With guided practice, kids quickly develop the skills they need to identify main idea and understand the relationship between the main idea and supporting details.

Supports iPads running iOS 8 and newer.