Teach your students to identify the main idea, central idea, and supporting details with this set of nonfiction reading passages. This resource includes PRINT and DIGITAL worksheets with graphic organizers to help students break down texts and master these essential skills step by step.

Designed for grades 3-5, the resource features 20 high-interest nonfiction reading passages that can be used anytime during the year! Your students will build confidence by analyzing central ideas, locating supporting details, and summarizing engaging informational texts.

Why This Resource Works:

✅ Updated to reflect curriculum changes—”Central Idea” is now emphasized in many state standards!

✅ Engaging nonfiction topics—Students explore fascinating subjects while practicing important reading skills.

✅ Flexible for all classrooms—Works with any reading program and supports both “Main Idea” and “Central Idea” terminology so all teachers can use it with ease.

Included in this download:

• 20 PRINTABLE and DIGITAL Nonfiction Reading Passages
• Graphic Organizers (helps students visually map out the central idea and supporting details)
• Google Slides Digital Version
• TpT Easel Activity Digital Version
• All answer keys for easy grading

Engaging and Interesting Topics That Make Learning Fun!

• The Wonders of Water
• Preventing Cavities
• The Mystery of the Honey Bee
• Presidential Pets
• Super Brain
• Lost in Time
• Carnivorous Plants
• Bubbling Observations
• Fishy Facts
• Tourist Attractions
• Germy Situations
• Brothers in Flight
• Pioneer Families
• Survival Tools
• Rattling Facts
• Planet Earth
• Rocks and Minerals
• Tiny Parts
• Test Taking Tips
• George’s Teeth

These activities are perfect for:

• whole group instruction
• morning work
• small groups
• independent desk work
• assessments
• early finishers
• homework
• sub plans, and so much more!

A scaffolded approach!

Teaching students to identify the main idea (or central idea) and supporting details is a critical reading skill that requires practice and guidance. Scaffolded instruction provides a structured and supportive approach, helping students build confidence and mastery step by step.

By using a scaffolded approach, you’ll provide your students with the tools they need to not only identify the main/central idea but also become confident and independent readers.

• This resource is the first in a series of practice packs. This is also the easiest version, with the main idea found in the first sentence.
• It is the perfect resource for beginners just starting to learn how to find a non-fiction reading passage’s main idea and supporting details.
• The bundle is designed to take students through progressively challenging texts.

Ideas for Implementation:
These nonfiction reading passages are flexible and can be used for:

• Whole group instruction to introduce or review main idea / central idea and supporting details
• Morning work or bell-ringer activities
• Small group assignments during guided reading
• Homework to reinforce classroom learning
• Assessments to gauge student progress

You can use these practice activities as:

• individual printable worksheets
• a printable practice packet
• digital Google Slides assignments
• a TpT Digital Activity

⭐ The digital version of this resource was created in Google Slides. Each reading passage comes with its own Google link, so you can digitally assign these activities to your students.

Suggestions for Use:

✅ Third Grade:
Begin by modeling the activity with your students. Use think-aloud strategies to demonstrate how to identify the main idea (or central idea) and supporting details. Provide guided practice before assigning independent work.

✅ Fourth Grade:
Students should be able to find the main idea and supporting details with a brief introduction or review. Use these passages as a way to reinforce their understanding and encourage independent application.

✅ Fifth Grade:
These passages are an excellent way to review foundational skills taught in earlier grades. Students can focus on refining their ability to analyze and summarize nonfiction texts.

Extension Activity:
4th grade standards typically ask students to go beyond identifying the main idea / central idea and supporting details to also summarize the text. Once students complete the graphic organizer, encourage them to use their notes to write a summary of the passage. This activity strengthens comprehension and writing skills simultaneously.

Teachers like you said…

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ My students loved using this resource! Main idea and supporting details is an area of growth for my students, so the extra remediation really helped! This can also be used in independent practice or small groups, which is what I used it for. Great resource especially for review of reading skills before an assessment! Thank you! – Charlene W.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I used this resource to progress monitor IEP goals for my student’s. This resource was easy for my students to figure out and use. I loved the variety in the texts. The texts were also the perfect length for my students and kept them engaged. We all learned something from each passage and they prompted some great conversations! – Kristan W.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ These passages are high-interest and not too long or wordy. They made for great independent and partner review! The ones I have not assigned will make for a great spiral review later on. Highly recommend! – Hannah C.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This resource was amazing for my distance learners. It was so neat and organized with the passages on one side and the graphic organizer on the other. My students were able to highlight the main idea and key details using Kami and then write them out on the same worksheet in the bubbles. I would even use this in person too. It was perfect! – Lindsay L.

Supports Common Core Standards (CCSS):

RI.3.2

RI.4.2

RI.5.2

Supports Common Core Standards (CCSS):

RI.3.2

RI.4.2

RI.5.2