Graphic organizers are a wonderful tool to aid student learning for a specific concept. Graphic organizers not only aid student comprehension for fiction, but are a good tool for learning non fiction concepts. A main idea template is a tool that can be employed beginning in the primary grades and extend into the high school years.
Main Idea Template Description
Main idea template can be used as a non fiction graphic organizer to improve student comprehension. Reading of a non fiction text is often overwhelming for students, as it is difficult for them to make connections and to identify the main idea for a specific reading.
A main idea or theme graphic organizer is a tool that helps student connect ideas and see relationships between the different pieces of information. It gives students a visual picture of how ideas are connected to one main idea.
Teaching Tool
Before students are able to use the main idea template as a non fiction comprehension tool, teachers must give direct instruction for it to be effective. Teachers should provide shared, guided, and finally independent practice for the students.
A theme template is constructed with a main idea box in the center of the page. The center box is linked to an array of boxes that are only connected to the center box. Outside boxes are not connected to each other. Outside boxes are the details that support the main idea. Information written in outlying boxes must relate to the the word or concept in the center box. A beginning main idea template may have a center box and only two outside boxes connected. As the theme or main idea becomes more complex, more outside boxes will be connected to the center box.
Social Studies Theme Sample
Shared Template
Create a main idea template on chart paper. Write "urban communities" in the center box of the main idea template. Read a paragraph or two of non fiction text about urban communities. After the reading, ask students what information is directly connected to urban communities. Begin to think aloud to assist students in deciding what information is related to the main idea. Fill in the chart with the students.
Guided Template
Photocopy main idea templates for students. Divide students into groups of four to five. Students write "rural communities" in the center box of the main idea non fiction graphic organizer. Students, in their small groups, read one or two paragraphs about rural communities and record the information on the main idea template. Teacher circulates to assist the different groups. At the end, teacher will talk to each group separately or bring all students together to discuss the activity.
Independent Use Template
Photocopy main idea templates for all students. Students write "commercial areas" in the center box labeled theme or main idea. Students are to read one or two paragraphs about commercial areas and record the information on the main idea template that connects to the theme. Students work independently on this activity. Teacher circulates to ensure students understand the process and to assist struggling students. At the end, teacher will bring all students together to discuss the activity.
Main idea templates can be utilized as non fiction graphic organizers. This is a concrete tool that improves student comprehension by organizing information, connecting ideas, and elicit prior knowledge.
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