Unit Plan 10 (Grade 3 ELA): Determining the Main Idea

Grade Level: 3

Subject Area: English Language Arts (Reading, Writing, Speaking & Listening, Language)

Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 45–60 minutes per session

I. Introduction

This week builds mastery in identifying the main idea of informational texts and selecting key details that support it. Students also learn to describe logical connections among sentences and paragraphs—such as sequence, cause/effect, and comparison—and to ask and answer questions about information presented orally. By Friday, learners state the main idea of a fresh text, choose the strongest supporting details, explain a logical connection, and demonstrate listening comprehension through targeted Q&A.

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to…

1. Distinguish topic from main idea and state the main idea in one clear sentence.
2. Select key details that directly support the stated main idea and explain the link.
3. Describe the logical connection between sentences/paragraphs (sequence, cause/effect, compare/contrast) using evidence.
4. Ask and answer questions about information from a speaker, adding clarifying details when needed.

Standards Alignment — CCSS Grade 3

• Reading Informational: RI.3.2 (determine main idea; recount key details; explain how they support the main idea)
• Reading Informational: RI.3.8 (describe the logical connection between sentences/paragraphs)
• Speaking & Listening: SL.3.3 (ask and answer questions about information from a speaker)

Success Criteria — student language

• I can say what the text is mostly about in one sentence.
• I can point to two or more details that prove my main idea.
• I can name a connection type (sequence, cause/effect, compare/contrast) and explain it with words from the text.
• When I listen to a speaker, I can ask a clear question and answer using a detail I heard.