The main idea of this blog is to introduce a low-pressure and fun strategy for teaching the concept of the main idea to beginning learners and elementary students with disabilities. Identifying the main idea can be a difficult task for many students, especially those on the spectrum. However, using pictures, photos, and illustrations is a much more effective way to teach this abstract concept.
This approach is especially useful for the beginning stages of learning about main ideas. By incorporating visual aids, students can more easily understand and identify the main idea of a story or passage. Overall, this strategy can help make learning about main ideas a more enjoyable and accessible experience for all students.
Using Pictures As A Text To Find The Main Idea
One effective way to introduce students to the concept of main ideas is by using visual aids such as pictures, illustrations, or photographs as a “text”. By removing the cognitive load of reading, we can clear the space and help students focus solely on identifying the main idea. This approach adopts a task analysis approach, breaking down the concept into smaller, more manageable units of understanding.
To get started, consider using these main idea worksheets and reading comprehension worksheets. For students who may find these worksheets too challenging, simply covering the text and focusing on the pictures can be a helpful alternative. By starting with these visual aids, students can build their understanding of main ideas and work towards more complex reading tasks.
Standards Addressed:
NYLA.KR7
Describe the relationship between illustrations and the text.
CCSS RI.K.7
With prompting and support, describe the relationship between illustrations and the text in which they appear (e.g., what person, place, thing, or idea in the text an illustration depicts).
CCSS RI.1.7 Use the illustrations and details in a text to describe its key idea
Here Are Some Teaching Tips and Key Points:
- Simplify Worksheets: If your students are struggling with the worksheets, work with the pictures and cover up the text. This removes any distractions and helps them focus on the main idea.
- Pay Attention to Students: Take note of how your students are thinking and talking about what they see. Encourage them to think out loud and engage with the material.
- Give Choices: Let your students choose which picture they want to work with first. This helps them feel invested in their learning and can provide insight into their preferences.
- Start with the Main Idea: Give your students time to look at the picture and then ask them what it’s about. If they can identify the main idea, great! If not, try breaking it down into smaller parts.
- Role Model: Use the “think aloud” strategy to help your students identify the main idea. For example, say something like, “To me, it looks like the photographer wanted to take a picture of a lady eating. That salad looks delicious and she’s using a fork to eat it.” As your students become more proficient, they can start identifying details too.
Teaching is all about finding what works best for your students. By simplifying worksheets, paying attention to your students’ thought processes, and using role modeling, you can help them succeed and achieve their goals.
Differentiated Picture Reading Comprehension Worksheets
These picture comprehension worksheets are an excellent resource for students who are just beginning to learn how to identify the main idea. By using illustrations to decode text and understand stories, your students can capture the main concept in a way that is both engaging and effective.
With these differentiated picture comprehension worksheets, students can practice describing what is happening in the picture before selecting the sentence that best matches the image. Not only does this help them develop their reading and comprehension skills, but it also improves their fine motor skills through writing, cutting, and pasting exercises.
Overall, picture comprehension worksheets offer a fun and interactive way for students to improve their understanding of key concepts while also honing important skills that will serve them well in all areas of their academic journey.
What Educators Are Saying
This is a great resource! Used with our students with disabilities with moderate to severe disabilities. Thanks!
— Jessica R. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is a great resource for my ESY students. I have a student who struggles with the main idea and details.
— Brooke W. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Additional Resources and Materials
Both of these reading comprehension activities can be found in my Teachers Pay Teacher Store. These main idea worksheets are part of a bundle to help your students learn the concept of the main idea. They will learn to effectively identify the main idea as they move on to read early grade fiction texts.
All of my activities are available as PDF/printable and digital on the Easel by TPT site. You can assign the work to your students on the platform and they can access it from any device. You will also be able to monitor their progress and give them timely feedback. There are also many self-checking activities so your students will have immediate feedback and can self-correct.
I’d like to invite you to join the vortex2learning club and have exclusive access to the freebie library. You will find a growing collection of educational lessons, activities, printables, worksheets, workbooks and so much more. You will be given a password that will allow you access at any time.
