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Wednesday, October 16, 2013

What’s the Main Idea? Another Halloween FREEBIE!


Well, what do you know? I actually kept my promise of another post and freebie today! Well, not actually a promise, but you know… (If you missed yesterday’s freebie, click here)

We’re learning all about Main Idea in our 2nd grade classroom right now and let’s just be honest: It is easily one of my least favorite comprehension skills to teach. I remember it being a tough skill for me back in the day, and it definitely stumps some of my kiddos.  We’ve learned the tips and tricks. We’ve made the anchor chart. And we’re still.not.getting.it.

So, on a whim the other day I decided to put my overwhelming amount of Halloween clip art to good use whip up some Halloween-themed main idea passages.  I projected them on to my whiteboard and had students write the main idea on their whiteboards. Then we VERBALLY gave some supporting details.

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This says, “Manny lost his hat and cannot find it.” (He's correct by the way. This isn't the main idea of the passage above!)

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Yep! That’s it!

As you can see, this was a pretty quick and informal exercise but it was a fun way to get some practice in!  We might have to make seasonal passages like this one a regular thing!

I also have to give a shout-out to Tracy from Creekside Teacher Tales. I’ve been using her Non-Fiction Main Idea Pack with my above-level kiddos in reading.  It’s definitely more challenging than the passages I’ve created but it’s an engaging, well made product perfect for my high fliers!!

Main Idea Practice Pack {Nonfiction Passages}
(Click to check it out!)

Ok, so I promised a FREEBIE!  You can grab these main idea passages for free, but I am going to make you work for it!  Head over to my Facebook page and click the “Freebies for Fans” tab.  If you already “like” me (gee, thanks!) you should be able to download them straight away.  If you’re not yet a fan, just click like and grab them!

(Don't be alarmed by the image you see. It looks like you're going to be downloading "While You Were Out" folder covers.  I just haven't changed the image yet.  You actually get to download the Main Idea Freebie and the folder covers too, if you want! What a steal!

Halloween Main Idea Cover

I can’t promise they’ll be there forever though, so act quickly!

Have a great night!

Halle

11 comments:

  1. I am crossing my fingers that the first child was reading a different passage...otherwise, I can feel your pain about students not getting main idea! (Although second graders are often very creative in their thinking!)

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  2. Since I don't use Facebook, is there any other way to get the main idea freebie?
    Thanks,
    Rosemary
    rosemarykn@comcast.net

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  3. How can I find you on Facebook? What should I type in? Great idea by the way!

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    1. Emily, the link is in the post. You could also click the facebook icon at the top of the blog or search "Across the Hall in 2nd" on Facebook!

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  4. I love how you project the passages and have the kids write on whiteboards. So simple! Thanks for the freebie :)
    Nicole
    Teaching With Style

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  5. I am heading on over to Facebook for your Halloween main idea freebie. I agree with you that it is a difficult skill to teach to second graders especially if they struggle with reading.

    Shelly
    Smiling and Shining in Second Grade

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  6. Thank you so much for this great freebie! I can't wait to share it with my class!!!
    C is for Cookies, Cakes, Children, Classroom, and Crafts
    :)

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  7. Hi. I used this last year and I can not seem to find it anywhere. Do you sell it on TPT? Would you consider it? It worked so well, I just can't believe I didn't save it anywhere. Thanks!

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  8. HI, I am looking to use this. Is it now available on TPT? Thanks

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  9. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  10. It pretty well sucks you have to "like" your page to get this. I'll find my own, thanks for nothing

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