Are you constantly looking for picture books to teach about the main idea of a story? some people confuse the topic with the main idea. The theme or central idea of a book is the lesson, moral or message that the reader takes after reading. The main idea is what the book is about and can usually be expressed as a short summary. It is important that students begin to understand the main idea (and supporting details) of a story after reading it. this means they must be able to retell the story to show their understanding, stating the main idea and at least three details that can support the main idea of the story.
some tips to teach the main idea
Reading aloud can be one of the most overlooked strategies that can be used to teach the main idea and supporting details. When reading aloud with your students, the key is to model your thought process out loud!
You are reading: Books to teach main idea and supporting details
Before you read, focus on the cover. Do the title and illustration give any clues as to what the main idea will be? Is the book fiction or non-fiction?
As you read, ask your students to note features of the text that can help identify the main idea, as well as words or information that are repeated throughout the book.
After reading, reflect on the important parts of the book and identify evidence from the book to support the main idea conclusion.
Illustrated books about the main idea
I want to share 8 fantastic picture books to teach about the main idea in the library or in the classroom. (all links are amazon affiliate links)
See Also: Sophie Hannah – Book Series In Order
drum roll please…
chrysanthemum by kevin henkes
crysanthemum loves her name, but on her first day of school, she gets teased for how unique she is. until the music teacher she admires reveals that she is naming her baby chrysanthemum, she learns to love him confidently again.
Try using this Chrysanthemum Book Companion Pack after reading!
wemberly worried about kevin henkes
wemberly worried about everything. big things. small things. and things in between. then it was time for school to start. and Wemberly grew even more concerned. if you ever worry (or know someone who does), this is the book for you. Wemberly was worried about spilling her juices, about shrinking in the tub, even about the snakes in the radiator. she worried morning, noon and night.
a bad case of david shannon stripes
This is the story of an insecure girl who learns to be happy with her identity. A Bad Case of Stripes is the story of Camilla Cream, a girl who loves lima beans and cares about how others think of her. On the first day of school, Camilla wakes up to find herself completely covered in rainbow stripes!
peter reynolds point
Vashti’s teacher tells her, “Just make a mark and see where it takes you.” but vashti can’t draw and sits there until art class is over; he is not an artist. To prove his point, Vasti pokes a blank sheet of paper to leave an angry and meaningless mark. “there!” she says. that little dot marks the beginning of vasti’s journey of surprise and self-discovery.
because of mo willems
See Also: Ace Atkins – Book Series In Order
because it is a beautiful illustrated book that shows how a single piece of music can change the lives of many people. it’s like a domino effect; we can do one thing and it ends up affecting the lives of others. think how amazing it would be if we could use kindness in the same way! we never know how a smile or a kind word can change someone.
those maribeth boelts shoes
all jeremy wants is a pair of the same shoes that everyone at school seems to be wearing. Although Jeremy’s grandmother says they don’t have room to “want”, only “need”, when his old shoes fall apart at school, he is more determined than ever to have those shoes, even a couple of thrift stores that they are too small. But sore feet aren’t much fun, and Jeremy soon realizes that the things he has — warm boots, a caring grandmother, and the chance to help a friend — are worth more than the things he wants.
enemy cake by derek munson
It was the perfect summer. That is, until Jeremy Ross moved into the house down the street and became the number one enemy in the neighborhood. Fortunately, his father had a sure way to get rid of enemies: enemy cake. but part of the secret recipe is to spend a whole day playing with the enemy! In this funny yet endearing story, a young boy learns an effective recipe for turning his best enemy into his best friend.
what if everyone did that? by ellen javernick
if you drop a single soda can out the window, nothing happens… right? but what if everyone did that? what if everyone broke the rules… and talked during story time, didn’t wash up, or splashed too much in the pool? then the world would be a mess. but what if everyone obeyed the rules so that the world became a better place? Now there’s an idea…
Looking for other fun activities to teach the main idea?
Check out these main idea task cards!
What books do you use to teach your students about the main idea?
See Also: Best Supernatural Thrillers – She Reads