4.6.G
ELA4th GradeThe student uses metacognitive skills to both develop and deepen comprehension of increasingly complex texts.
The Standard
evaluate details read to determine key ideas
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for English Language Arts and Reading
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students decide which details matter most and use them to identify a key idea in a passage. They explain how selected details support that idea.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Students state the key idea in their own words. They select the strongest supporting details and explain the connection between each detail and the key idea.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may choose a surprising detail as the key idea. They may also select details that relate to the topic but do not directly support their stated idea.
How to Assess It
- After reading a short passage, ask: “Write the key idea, list two supporting details, and explain why each detail matters.”
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs six detail cards from one paragraph, then have them sort the cards into strong support, weak support, and unrelated details.
Ask students to write: “Which detail best reveals the key idea, and what would change if the author removed it?”
Play Key Idea Match by having teams pair key idea cards with supporting detail cards and justify each match for one point.
Read a school announcement and identify the main message, then highlight details students need to follow the directions correctly.
Keep exploring
Related Standards
Turn this exact standard into a lesson
Grade, subject, topic, and the complete standard are prefilled. Create one free, no account needed.