Virginia SOL 3.RI.1.A
The Standard
Determine the main idea of multi-paragraph texts as well as specific paragraphs within them.
Virginia Standards of Learning for English · Key Ideas and Confirming Details
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students identify what each paragraph is mostly saying. They then combine those smaller ideas to explain the author’s main point across the whole text.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Students can state the main idea of one paragraph and the larger idea developed across several paragraphs. They can point to specific details that support each answer.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may give a one-word topic instead of a complete main idea. They may choose an interesting detail or assume the first sentence always states the main idea.
How to Assess It
- Give students a three-paragraph article. Ask them to write the main idea of paragraph two, the main idea of the whole article, and one supporting detail.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Cut apart a short article, then have students match each paragraph with a prepared main idea card and underline supporting details.
Ask, “How does each paragraph help explain the author’s larger point?” Students write two sentences, then compare answers with a partner.
Play Main Idea Match by pairing paragraph cards with summary cards, including distractors that state only topics or minor details.
Read a school newsletter article and identify each paragraph’s point before writing one sentence that captures the whole article.
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Printable 3.RI.1.A Worksheet
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Related Standards
- 4.RI.1.A
Summarize the main idea of multi-paragraph texts and the specific paragraphs within them, explaining how key details support the main ideas.
- 5.RI.1.A
Summarize the main ideas of texts and specific paragraphs within them, including how they are developed through the details.
- 1.RI.1.B
Identify the main idea and supporting details of a text.
- 6.RI.1.A
Summarize texts, including their main idea(s) and how they are developed with specific details.
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