Read the passage. Harriet Tubman was born in the early 1820s. She escaped from slavery and later helped many others find freedom through the Underground Railroad. She was brave and never gave up, even when the journey was dangerous. What is the main idea of the passage?

Harriet Tubman helped others escape slavery

Harriet Tubman was born in the 1900s

Read the passage. Malala Yousafzai spoke up for girls' education in Pakistan. After she survived an attack in 2012, she continued to speak to people around the world about the importance of schooling for girls. Which sentence from the passage shows that Malala kept working after the attack?

She continued to speak to people around the world about the importance of schooling for girls.

She spoke up for girls' education in Pakistan.

She continued to speak to people around the world about the importance of schooling for girls.

She only studied in her neighborhood school.

Read the passage. Neil Armstrong was an astronaut who became the first person to walk on the Moon in 1969. His words about the landing are still remembered by many people today. Which fact is most important in this passage?

He was the first person to walk on the Moon.

He wrote a story about space travel.

He trained for many years as a pilot.

He was the first person to walk on the Moon.

Read the passage. Frida Kahlo was a Mexican painter known for colorful, personal art. She often painted about her life and the culture of Mexico. What is the passage mainly about?

Frida Kahlo was a Mexican painter who painted about her life.

Read the passage. Alexander Hamilton helped shape the early United States government. He wrote papers about government ideas and worked to set up the country's money system. Which sentence best explains why Hamilton was important?

He wrote papers and helped set up the country's money system.

He moved to a new city when he was young.

He wrote papers and helped set up the country's money system.

Read the passage. Mae Jemison trained as a doctor and later became an astronaut. In 1992 she flew into space and became the first Black woman to travel in space. Which detail best supports that Mae Jemison was an astronaut?

In 1992 she flew into space and became the first Black woman to travel in space.

She studied medicine before joining NASA.

She worked in a hospital for many years.

In 1992 she flew into space and became the first Black woman to travel in space.

Read the passage. Serena Williams is one of the greatest tennis players. She has won many major championships and is known for her powerful play on the court. What is the main idea of this passage?

Serena Williams is a very successful tennis player.

Serena Williams invented the game of tennis.

Serena Williams was a famous chef.

Read the passage. Abraham Lincoln was president during the Civil War. He worked to keep the United States together and issued the Emancipation Proclamation to free enslaved people in parts of the country. Which detail best supports that Lincoln worked to end slavery?

He issued the Emancipation Proclamation to free enslaved people in parts of the country.

He lived in a log cabin as a boy.

He issued the Emancipation Proclamation to free enslaved people in parts of the country.

He enjoyed writing letters to friends.

Read the passage. Katherine Johnson worked as a mathematician at NASA. She calculated flight paths that helped send astronauts into orbit, including John Glenn in 1962. What did Katherine Johnson do at NASA?

She calculated flight paths to help send astronauts into orbit.

She organized social events for the staff.

She flew the spacecraft during missions.

She calculated flight paths to help send astronauts into orbit.

Read the passage. Cesar Chavez organized farmworkers to demand better pay and safer working conditions. He led strikes and helped create a union for workers. What is the main idea of this passage?

Cesar Chavez organized farmworkers and led efforts for better working conditions.

Cesar Chavez was a famous movie actor.

Cesar Chavez invented a new farming machine.

Read the passage. Maya Angelou was a poet, author, and speaker. Her books and poems often describe her life and the struggles she faced growing up. What is the author's purpose in this passage?

To inform readers about Maya Angelou's work as a writer and speaker.

To tell a made-up story about Maya Angelou.

To inform readers about Maya Angelou's work as a writer and speaker.

To teach readers how to draw pictures.

Read the passage. Nelson Mandela worked to end apartheid in South Africa. He spent many years in prison for his beliefs and later became the country's president. Which sentence best shows Mandela's commitment to ending apartheid?

He spent many years in prison for his beliefs and later became the country's president.

He moved to a large city when he was young.

He wrote short stories for children.

He spent many years in prison for his beliefs and later became the country's president.

Read the passage. Ada Lovelace wrote notes in the 1800s about an early calculating machine. Her ideas are often called the first computer programs, and she is remembered for her work with machines and math. What is the main idea of this passage?

Ada Lovelace wrote early ideas about computer programs and math.

Ada Lovelace was a famous athlete.

Ada Lovelace traveled around the world by ship.

Read the passage. Greta Thunberg began protesting to call attention to climate change. She asked leaders to act and inspired students around the world to join climate strikes. What effect did Greta Thunberg's actions have?

She inspired students around the world to join climate strikes.

She started a local music club.

She inspired students around the world to join climate strikes.

Read the passage. Jackie Robinson broke Major League Baseball's color barrier in 1947 when he played for the Brooklyn Dodgers. His actions helped open doors for other athletes of all backgrounds. What is the main idea of the passage?

He broke Major League Baseball's color barrier in 1947 and helped open doors for other athletes.

He coached a youth baseball team for many years.

He wrote a rulebook for baseball leagues.

He broke Major League Baseball's color barrier in 1947 and helped open doors for other athletes.

Fifth Grade ELA | Reading Strategies and Informational Texts on Famous People

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What are informational texts?

Informational texts are nonfiction texts that give facts about a subject. They help readers learn about real people, places, events, or ideas.

Examples:

Biographies of famous leaders
Articles about inventors and scientists
Books about historical figures

Note

Informational texts are different from stories because they focus on facts instead of make-believe events.

Identifying the main idea and details

The main idea is what the text is mostly about. The supporting details are the facts and examples that explain or prove the main idea.

Example:

Main idea: Martin Luther King Jr. worked for equal rights.
Supporting details: He led marches, gave speeches, and helped pass new laws.

Note

Ask yourself: “What is the author mostly telling me?” That will help you find the main idea.

Using text features

Informational texts often include text features such as headings, bold words, captions, timelines, and pictures. These help readers understand important information more easily.

Examples of text features:

A timeline of a president’s life
Captions under photos of a famous explorer
Bold words showing key vocabulary

Note

Always look at the text features first. They can give you clues about the subject before you start reading.

Making connections

When reading about famous people, you can make connections between their experiences and your own life, other texts, or events in history.

Examples:

Text-to-self: “This leader never gave up. That reminds me of when I practiced until I learned how to play piano.”
Text-to-text: “This inventor’s story is like the scientist I read about last week.”
Text-to-world: “This activist’s work connects to current events I hear about today.”

Note

Making connections helps you understand the text more deeply and remember the information.

Summarizing informational texts

Summarizing means telling the most important ideas in your own words. A good summary includes the main idea and the most important supporting details, but leaves out extra information.

Example:

Original text: A long article about Rosa Parks’s life and actions.
Summary: “Rosa Parks refused to give up her bus seat, which helped begin the Civil Rights Movement.”

Note

Think of a summary as a “short version” of the text that still tells the most important ideas.

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M.1 Reading informational texts - famous people

What are informational texts?

Identifying the main idea and details

Using text features

Making connections

Summarizing informational texts