Samantha Pallitto

ELD 308
McKool
November 25 2014
Reading Mini Lesson: NonFiction
Grade: 4
Common Core State Standard: RI.4.2: Determine the main idea of a text and
explain how it is supported by key details; summarize the text.
Objective:
SWBAT identify & describe the main idea of a nonfiction book.
SWBAT identify & describe the main idea of a nonfiction book using textual
details.
Materials:
Nonfiction book: Fossils
Chart Paper
Notebook paper
Procedures:
Lesson Introduction
o Readers, we have started our unit on nonfiction texts. Today I want
to talk about how the title of a book helps us determine what a book is
mostly about. This is what we call the main idea. Today I am going to
read you some chapters in the book Fossils. We will write facts from
the chapter and discuss how they are all about fossils. Good readers
know that the title of a chapter gives us a clue about the main idea. So
lets begin with our first chapter.

Teach and Model:

o The title of this chapter is The Making of Rocks as I read the three
different sections of this chapter, I am going to write down clues from
the text that support the main idea.
o Three sections: Molten Rocks; Changed Rocks; Deposited Rocks. Stop
after each section and discuss with students text clues from each of
these sections that support the main idea of the chapter, which is The
Making of Rocks also discuss how this chapter as a whole supports
the main idea of the book, which is Fossils.

Guided Practice
o Provide another example from another chapter of the book Fossils.
This time have the students assist you.

o Now I am going to read you another chapter from the book. This
chapter is called Remarkable Remains I would like you to think of
details from the text that support the main idea.
o After reading the chapter have students turn and talk with a partner
about different details from the text that support the main ideas, as
well as how this chapter supports the bigger main idea of Fossils.
o Write the text clues the class discusses on a piece of chart paper.
o Provide another example from the chapter Plants the pioneers
with less teacher help. Have students write the main idea of this
chapter and three text clues on their own on a piece of paper.
o Have students turn and talk and discuss the main idea and three text
clues with a partner, then share and discuss out loud.

Independent Practice
o Readers, I think you are doing an excellent job at finding clues in the
text that support the main idea. I think youre ready to do this on your
own. Now I want you to go back to your desks and take out the
nonfiction book you have been reading, turn to a chapter you would
like to learn more about. On a sheet of paper, I would like you to write
at the top, the main idea of the chapter, and at least three text clues
from the chapter that support the main idea. When youre done you
keep your sheets on your desk so I can come around to check your
understanding.

Assessment:
I will be able to determine if the students met the objective if after reading
and doing examples together, students are able to write the main idea and
three text clues for their own nonfiction texts. If students are not successful I
will pull those students for a guided reading lesson.