Every Monday, Lisa and three friends stayed after school to clean their classroom. They wiped desks, sorted supplies, and put books back on the shelf. The classroom looked neater and felt more comfortable because of their work.

Lisa and her friends cleaned the classroom together.

They put books back on the shelf.

Mr. Lee's apple tree blooms each spring and grows small green apples that get bigger all summer. He waters the tree and trims branches so the apples stay healthy. By autumn, the family picks ripe red apples from the tree.

The apple tree produced apples throughout the seasons.

The family picked apples in autumn.

Ethan practiced piano every night for thirty minutes. At first, he made many mistakes, but he kept working on the same song. After a few weeks, he played the song smoothly and with confidence.

He practiced for thirty minutes each night.

He made many mistakes at first.

Tiny ants worked all morning to carry crumbs back to their nest. Each ant carried a small piece and followed a steady trail. By lunchtime, the nest had a pile of food.

The ants worked together to collect food.

There were many crumbs on the ground.

The ants worked together to collect food.

Ms. Carter, the librarian, shows students how to find books and recommends titles based on their interests. Many students borrow books she suggests and discover new topics they enjoy. The library becomes a place where students explore and learn.

The library helps students find books they like.

The soccer team practiced passing drills every afternoon. They learned to work together and improve their timing. During the game, they scored two goals because of their good teamwork.

Regular practice and teamwork helped the team play better.

They practiced passing drills every day.

Regular practice and teamwork helped the team play better.

At Willow Elementary, students put paper, plastic, and cans into labeled bins. The school uses the recycled materials to make art projects and reduce trash. The students feel proud to help the planet.

Recycling at school helps reduce waste and protect the planet.

Students make art projects with recycled materials.

Students use labeled recycling bins.

Recycling at school helps reduce waste and protect the planet.

After a strong storm, a large branch fell in Mrs. Gomez's yard. Her neighbors came with gloves and tools to help clean up. Together they cleared the yard and fixed the broken fence.

Neighbors helped clean up after the storm.

A branch fell in Mrs. Gomez's yard.

Neighbors helped clean up after the storm.

Jordan planned his science fair project, wrote notes, and tested his experiment many times. He practiced explaining his work to family members. On the day of the fair, he felt confident and answered judges' questions clearly.

Careful preparation helped Jordan feel confident at the science fair.

Jordan practiced explaining his work.

He answered the judges' questions clearly.

Rosa taught her dog to sit, stay, and roll over. Each time the dog followed a command, she gave a small treat and praise. After many short lessons, the dog learned each trick.

She used treats and praise to teach the dog.

Rosa taught her dog many tricks.

She used treats and praise to teach the dog.

The dog learned to sit, stay, and roll over.

Sam ate a bowl of oatmeal and fruit before school. He had enough energy to play at recess and concentrate in class. He did not feel tired during the morning.

Eating a healthy breakfast gives energy for the day.

He played at recess and concentrated in class.

Eating a healthy breakfast gives energy for the day.

Maya put a little money into her savings jar each week. She watched the coins add up and made a chart to track her progress. After a few months, she had enough to buy the bicycle she wanted.

Saving money a little at a time helped Maya reach her goal.

Maya used a chart to track her money.

She bought a bicycle after a few months.

Bees visit flowers to collect nectar. As they move from flower to flower, pollen sticks to their bodies and spreads to other plants. This helps plants make seeds and grow new flowers.

Bees help plants by spreading pollen.

Bees collect nectar from flowers.

Bees help plants by spreading pollen.

Ms. Patel taught the class how to read maps. Students learned about symbols, directions, and how to find places. They used maps to plan a pretend trip around their town.

Maps help people find and plan trips to places.

Ms. Patel showed map symbols and directions.

Students learned to find places on a map.

Maps help people find and plan trips to places.

Firefighters visited Oak Street School to explain safety. They talked about stop, drop, and roll and showed how to call 911 in an emergency. Students learned how firefighters help keep their community safe.

Firefighters teach safety and help keep the community safe.

Students learned 'stop, drop, and roll.'

Fourth Grade ELA: Reading Strategies for Main Idea

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What is the main idea?

Main idea is the most important thought or message that an author wants to share in a passage, paragraph, or text. It tells what the text is mostly about.

Examples:

Passage: “Dogs can be trained to help people with disabilities. They can guide the blind, alert the deaf, and provide comfort.”
Main idea: Dogs can help people in many important ways.
Passage: “Apples are a healthy snack. They give you vitamins and fiber, and they taste sweet.”
Main idea: Apples are good for you.

Note

The main idea is like the “big picture.” Details give clues to help you figure it out.

How do you find the main idea?

To find the main idea, ask yourself: “What is this text mostly about?” Then look at the details that support the answer.

Steps:

Read the passage carefully.
Look for repeated words, ideas, or important facts.
Ask: What is the author trying to teach or explain?
State the main idea in one clear sentence.

Note

The main idea is usually supported by details, but it is not just one detail—it’s the overall point.

Supporting details

Supporting details are the facts, examples, or descriptions that explain and prove the main idea.

Examples:

Main idea: “Bees are important to nature.”
Supporting details: “They pollinate flowers.” “They help plants grow.” “They produce honey.”
Main idea: “Recycling helps the environment.”
Supporting details: “It reduces waste.” “It saves natural resources.”

Note

Supporting details are like building blocks—they hold up and prove the main idea.

Main idea in nonfiction vs. fiction

In nonfiction, the main idea often explains facts or teaches information. In fiction, the main idea may tell the lesson, theme, or what the story is mostly about.

Examples:

Nonfiction passage: “George Washington was the first U.S. president. He led the army in the Revolutionary War. He is known as the ‘Father of Our Country.’”
Main idea: George Washington was an important leader in American history.
Fiction story: “A girl works hard to train her puppy. She learns that patience and practice bring success.”
Main idea: Hard work and patience lead to success.

Note

Pay attention to whether you are reading a story (fiction) or facts (nonfiction)—the main idea will look different.

Tips for finding the main idea

Use these strategies when reading to help identify the main idea quickly and clearly.

Tips:

Look at the title—it often gives a clue to the main idea.
Check the first and last sentence—they may state the main idea.
Summarize the text in your own words—your summary is usually the main idea.
Ignore extra details that do not connect to the “big picture.”

Note

If you can explain the passage in one clear sentence, you have found the main idea.

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A.1 Identify the main idea using key details

What is the main idea?

How do you find the main idea?

Supporting details

Main idea in nonfiction vs. fiction

Tips for finding the main idea