Unit Plan 7 (Grade 5 ELA): Main Idea, Details, and Summaries
Grade 5 ELA unit: determine main ideas, summarize key details, analyze evidence, and practice listening-to-paraphrase for clear, accurate understanding.
Focus: Determining main idea; summarizing; listening to paraphrase
Grade Level: 5
Subject Area: English Language Arts (Reading Informational, Speaking & Listening)
Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 45–60 minutes per session
I. Introduction
This week, students learn to separate signal from noise in informational texts and talks. They’ll distinguish topic vs. main idea, choose key details that directly support it, and craft objective summaries in their own words. They’ll also practice listening-to-paraphrase—capturing the gist of information presented orally or in media. By Friday, each learner will produce clear summaries of print and spoken sources and explain how an author’s reasons/evidence support points.
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to…
- Determine the main idea of a text and explain how it is supported by key details; write an objective summary (RI.5.2).
- Explain how an author uses reasons and evidence to support particular points; match evidence to the point it supports (RI.5.8).
- Summarize information presented orally or in diverse media; paraphrase accurately without copying (SL.5.2).
Standards Alignment — CCSS Grade 5
- RI.5.2, RI.5.8, SL.5.2
Success Criteria — student language
- I can state the main idea in one sentence and list 3 key details that prove it.
- I can write a 3–5 sentence summary in my own words—no opinions.
- I can match an author’s reason/evidence to the point it supports.
- I can paraphrase a short audio/video segment and summarize it clearly.