Grade 3 › ELA/Reading › Central Idea & Details

Central Idea & Supporting Details

Help students identify the main point of informational texts and find the details that support it

FL B.E.S.T. Standard: ELA.3.R.2.2

Florida B.E.S.T. Standard

ELA.3.R.2.2

Identify the central idea and explain how relevant details support that idea in a text.

Topic vs. Central Idea

  • Topic = What it's about (1-2 words)
  • Central idea = Main point (complete sentence)
  • Finding the author's main message

Finding Central Ideas

  • Look at first and last sentences
  • Ask: "What's the main point?"
  • The "umbrella" that covers all details

Supporting Details

  • Details that prove the central idea
  • Identifying relevant vs. irrelevant details
  • Explaining HOW details support ideas

Text Evidence

  • Citing specific sentences
  • Using quotes from the text
  • Connecting evidence to claims

Printable Resources

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Teacher Guide

5-day lesson plan, teaching strategies, question stems, and common misconceptions

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Student Concept Worksheet

Introduction to topic vs. central idea with umbrella visual and dolphins passage

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Practice Worksheet

4 passages (Recycling, Ants, Sleep, Octopus) with 14 practice questions

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FAST Practice Quiz

10 test-format questions with Honeybees passage - mirrors actual FAST assessment

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Parent Activity Guide

Home activities with news articles, documentaries, and nonfiction books (includes Spanish)

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Answer Keys

Complete answers for all worksheets with explanations and scoring guide

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Teaching Tips for Central Idea

Umbrella Analogy: The central idea is like an umbrella that covers all the important details underneath it.
Complete Sentences: If students give just a word or two, that's the topic. Push for a complete sentence that states the main point.
Ask "So What?": Help students understand WHY the author wrote this - what's the main message they want readers to learn?
Relevant Details: Not every detail supports the central idea. Teach students to ask "Does this help prove the main point?"

FAST Success Kit | Grade 3 ELA | FL B.E.S.T. Standard: ELA.3.R.2.2

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