| Being able to explain what the main idea of a | | | | waving goodbye). |
| story is demonstrates a deep understanding of a | | | | Writing |
| text. To get your students to this point, first | | | | Write one sentence that describes what happens |
| guide them through the process of finding the | | | | in each paragraph. Often the main idea of the |
| main idea of each paragraph. | | | | paragraph can be found in the first sentence. The |
| You can do this by asking your students to do | | | | sentences that follow will add more information to |
| any or all of the following. | | | | the main idea. |
| Drawing | | | | This process of analyzing each paragraph works |
| Read each paragraph slowly and then draw an | | | | well for short stories. If you are exploring a novel |
| illustration of what is happening. If your student's | | | | with your class, ask your students to analyze |
| find this confusing, help them focus on the task | | | | each chapter. |
| by asking them to draw what the characters in | | | | When your students have analyzed each |
| the paragraph are doing. 1. Identify the characters | | | | paragraph (or chapter) they can move on to the |
| 2. Identify what they are doing | | | | task of identifying the main idea of the story. Ask |
| Listing | | | | each student to write what they think this is. Let |
| As you read each paragraph, write down what | | | | students share and discuss what they have |
| each character is doing (The Three Little Pigs are | | | | written with small groups of students or the class |
| leaving home, The Three Little Pig's Mother is | | | | as a whole. |