Identify the focus of specific paragraphs

General

In this lesson, students will learn how to find the focus, or main idea, of paragraphs. They will read many short paragraphs and determine the focus of each. They will use graphic organizers to organize the paragraphs and find the main ideas.

Standards

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.2.2

Learning objective

Students will be able to identify the focus of specific paragraphs.

Introduction

Students will review the concept of a paragraph. They will read a paragraph and discuss the focus of it. They will also discuss the concept of main idea and read a different paragraph to identify the main idea.

Instruction

Students will sort many words into three groups indicated by pictures. They will then give each group a title. Students will brainstorm a paragraph by supplying details about going to the beach. Next, they will determine the main focus from the details given. They will also read more paragraphs and determine the focus of each. They will review where they can often find the focus in a paragraph.

Quiz

Students will review how to find the main idea or focus of paragraphs with 10 questions.

Closing

Students will fill in a graphic organizer with details and the focus after reading a paragraph about a thunderstorm. Lastly, students will do a think-pair-share. They will each write a short paragraph about a picture in the lesson and share it with the class. The class will identify the focus.

Read our blog post to learn more about reading comprehension exercises!

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