South Dakota ELA 2.RI.2

ELA2nd GradeReading Informational Text

The Standard

Identify the main topic of a multi-paragraph text and use key details from the paragraphs to support the main topic.

South Dakota English Language Arts Standards (2025)

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students read several paragraphs and name what the whole text is mostly about. They choose details from the paragraphs that show why that topic fits.
What Mastery Looks Like: After reading about beaver dams, lodges, and underwater entrances, a student can name the topic as 'beaver homes.' They can point to a supporting detail in each paragraph.
Common Misconceptions: Students may name one detail, such as underwater entrances, as the topic of the whole text. They may use a detail from only the first paragraph or pick an interesting fact that does not support their topic.
How to Assess It: Give students a three-paragraph beaver fact sheet covering dams, lodges, and underwater entrances. Ask them to write the main topic and copy one detail from each paragraph that supports it.

Lesson moves

Cut a three-paragraph beaver fact sheet into paragraphs, then have pairs attach a detail note to each paragraph under a 'beaver homes' card.
Ask partners why 'beaver homes' fits all three paragraphs better than 'underwater entrances,' and have them point to details that explain their choice.
After reading about beaver homes, give teams topic cards for dams, lodges, and beaver homes; award points for evidence from each paragraph.
Write a three-paragraph classroom library note about choosing, borrowing, and returning books; have students mark the shared topic and one supporting detail per paragraph.

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