Mini-Lesson: Finding the Main Idea in Nonfiction Text

Readers have been on the hunt for main ideas since our early literacy days. We are led to believe that the process of finding the main idea in text or a passage is quite simple. Just read the passage, look at the first or last sentence, and voila- there it is! Right?

To the contrary! Finding, articulating, and responding to someone's most important idea is a complex cognitive process requiring readers to use multiple strategies and skills.

Today's mini- lesson helps readers break down exactly what is involved in the process.