Help students identify the main idea, recognise important details and develop a deeper understanding of what they read with these three differentiated reading think mats.
Understanding the main idea is an essential reading comprehension skill. Students need to recognise what a text is mostly about, distinguish important information from less relevant details and explain how key details support the author's central message.
These structured think mats guide students through identifying the main idea, selecting supporting evidence and reflecting on their understanding.
With three levels of support and challenge, teachers can select the template that best suits each student's learning needs.
Students will:
Identify the topic and main idea of a text.
Recognise important facts, events and supporting details.
Distinguish key information from less important details.
Explain how supporting details develop the main idea.
Use textual evidence to justify their thinking.
Consider the author's purpose and message.
Reflect on their understanding of a text.
What's included:
Explorer: A scaffolded six-step think mat helping students identify the topic, recognise important details, determine the main idea and reflect on their understanding.
Investigator: A seven-step think mat encouraging students to explain how details support the main idea, distinguish essential information and write a short summary.
Analyst: A more challenging seven-step think mat requiring students to use textual evidence, examine relationships between ideas, explore the author's purpose and reflect on their interpretations.
3-page printable PDF digital download.
Perfect for guided reading, reading groups, independent comprehension tasks, literature studies and formative assessment.
Suitable for use with a wide range of fiction and nonfiction texts – no specific book required.
Help students identify the main idea, recognise important details and develop a deeper understanding of what they read with these three differentiated reading think mats.
Understanding the main idea is an essential reading comprehension skill. Students need to recognise what a text is mostly about, distinguish important information from less relevant details and explain how key details support the author's central message.
These structured think mats guide students through identifying the main idea, selecting supporting evidence and reflecting on their understanding.
With three levels of support and challenge, teachers can select the template that best suits each student's learning needs.
Students will:
Identify the topic and main idea of a text.
Recognise important facts, events and supporting details.
Distinguish key information from less important details.
Explain how supporting details develop the main idea.
Use textual evidence to justify their thinking.
Consider the author's purpose and message.
Reflect on their understanding of a text.
What's included:
Explorer: A scaffolded six-step think mat helping students identify the topic, recognise important details, determine the main idea and reflect on their understanding.
Investigator: A seven-step think mat encouraging students to explain how details support the main idea, distinguish essential information and write a short summary.
Analyst: A more challenging seven-step think mat requiring students to use textual evidence, examine relationships between ideas, explore the author's purpose and reflect on their interpretations.
3-page printable PDF digital download.
Perfect for guided reading, reading groups, independent comprehension tasks, literature studies and formative assessment.
Suitable for use with a wide range of fiction and nonfiction texts – no specific book required.
