CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.6-8.2

ELA7th GradeKey Ideas and Details

The Standard

Determine the central ideas or conclusions of a text; provide an accurate summary of the text distinct from prior knowledge or opinions.

Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts · Reading Standards for Literacy in Science and Technical Subjects 6—12

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students identify the main point or finding in a science or technical passage. They write a short, accurate summary using only key information from the text.
What Mastery Looks Like: A student states the passage’s main point in one clear sentence. The student then summarizes the key evidence and outcome accurately, leaving out minor details and personal reactions.
Common Misconceptions: Students often choose an interesting detail as the main idea. They may copy whole sentences, add personal opinions, or include facts they already knew but the passage never stated.
How to Assess It: Give students a 200-word science passage and ask: “State the main idea, then summarize the passage in three sentences without opinions or outside facts.”

Lesson moves

Print a short science article, then have pairs sort sentence strips into main idea, supporting evidence, and minor detail.
After reading a lab report, ask students to write one sentence explaining its conclusion and cite two details that support it.
Play Summary Swap: students exchange three-sentence summaries and highlight opinions, outside knowledge, repeated details, and missing key points.
Have students read medicine label directions and summarize the purpose, correct use, and main warning without adding advice of their own.

Free download

A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.6-8.2, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.

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