Unit Plan 7 (Grade 2 ELA): Main Topic and Key Details
Second graders learn to identify the main topic of informational texts and the focus of each paragraph. They ask and answer key questions, select supporting details, and give clear oral retells to show full comprehension.
Focus: Identifying main topic; focus of paragraphs; oral retell
Grade Level: 2
Subject Area: English Language Arts (Reading Informational • Speaking/Listening)
Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 45–60 minutes per session
I. Introduction
Informational readers figure out what a text (or paragraph) is mostly about and name the key details that support it. This week, students learn simple routines for spotting the main topic of a passage, the focus of a paragraph, and for giving a short, clear oral retell of key ideas. They’ll use questions to guide thinking and point to evidence in the text.
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to…
- Identify the main topic of a multi-paragraph text and tell how key details support it (RI.2.2).
- Ask/answer who/what/where/when/why/how to find important information and confirm understanding (RI.2.1).
- Recount key ideas and details from a text read aloud or from media in clear, complete sentences (SL.2.2).
Standards Alignment — CCSS Grade 2
- RI.2.2, RI.2.1, SL.2.2
Success Criteria — student language
- I can say the main topic in one strong sentence.
- I can list 2–3 key details that support the topic.
- I can tell what one paragraph is mostly about.
- I can give a short oral retell of key ideas using complete sentences.