Editorial Development: Bonnie Brook Communications

19
WEEK
Main Idea and Details
Students look for the central idea or message of a passage or story. 
They also find details that best support the main idea.
Sequence
Students look for the order of events or steps in a process.
DAY
1
Review the 
Main Idea and Details
skill. Say: 
The main idea is the most important idea in a 
passage. Each paragraph usually has a main idea as well. As you read, think about the main 
idea of each paragraph. 
Remind students of the 
Monitor Comprehension
strategy (Week 1). Say: 
You can use context clues to figure out the meanings of unknown words. You can also look for 
definitions or synonyms in a dictionary. Understanding all of the words in a passage will help 
you focus on the author’s main idea. 
Direct students to read the passage and to complete the skill 
and strategy practice activities. Review the answers together.
DAY
2
Remind students of the 
Main Idea and Details 
skill. Tell students they are going to read about 
animals called meerkats. Say: 
As you read, pause briefly to think about the main idea and 
details included in each paragraph. Good authors try to include two or more details about
each main idea. Try to locate as many solid details as you can.
Then remind students of the 
Visualization
strategy (Week 3). Say: 
As you read, look for words that describe how meerkats 
look, sound, move, and relate to one another. 
Have students read the passage and complete the 
skill practice activity. Review the answers together. Then direct students to complete the strategy 
practice activity and share their sketches with a partner.