Dear Families,
Your child is learning to identify the central idea (main point) of informational texts and find supporting details that prove it. This is a key skill tested on the Florida FAST assessment. Practice these skills with news articles, books, and even TV shows!
Why This Matters for the FAST Test
On the FAST reading test, students are asked questions like "What is the central idea?" and "Which detail BEST supports the central idea?" Students must understand the difference between the TOPIC (what it's about) and the CENTRAL IDEA (the main point about that topic).
Topic vs. Central Idea
Topic = What the text is about (1-2 words). Example: "Recycling"
Central Idea = The MAIN POINT the author wants you to understand (complete sentence). Example: "Recycling helps protect the Earth by saving resources and reducing waste."
Think of it like an umbrella - the central idea covers all the important details!
- Find a kid-friendly news article (Newsela, Time for Kids, or local news).
- Read the article together (or have your child read it aloud).
- Ask: "What is this article MOSTLY about?" (topic)
- Then ask: "What is the MAIN POINT the author wants you to learn?" (central idea)
- Find 2-3 details that support (prove) that main point.
Example:
Article about a new playground
Topic: New playground
Central Idea: The new playground will give kids in the neighborhood a safe place to play and exercise.
Supporting Detail: The playground has equipment for all ages.
- Read a paragraph from an encyclopedia, textbook, or nonfiction book.
- Cover the text and ask your child: "What was the main point?"
- Have them say it in ONE sentence (that's the central idea!).
- Go back to the text and find details that support it.
- Ask: "How does this detail help prove the main point?"
Quick Check: If your child gives just a word or two ("Elephants"), that's the TOPIC. Push for a complete sentence ("Elephants are the largest land animals and have amazing memories").
- Watch a short educational video together (nature documentaries, science shows, etc.).
- Pause halfway: "What do you think this video is mostly about?"
- At the end, ask: "What was the MAIN POINT the show wanted you to learn?"
- List 3 facts from the video that support that main point.
- Discuss: "How did each fact help prove the main point?"
Questions to Ask While Reading Nonfiction
- "What is this text MOSTLY about?" (topic)
- "What is the MAIN POINT the author wants you to understand?" (central idea)
- "Can you say the main point in ONE sentence?"
- "What details does the author give to PROVE this point?"
- "How does this detail help you understand the main point?"
- "Is this detail RELEVANT - does it connect to the main point?"
Resumen en Espanol
Idea central y detalles de apoyo: Su hijo esta aprendiendo a encontrar el punto principal (idea central) de los textos informativos y los detalles que lo prueban.
Diferencia importante:
- Tema = De que trata el texto (1-2 palabras). Ejemplo: "Reciclaje"
- Idea Central = El punto principal (oracion completa). Ejemplo: "El reciclaje ayuda a proteger la Tierra."
Actividades en casa: Lean articulos de noticias juntos, practiquen con parrafos de libros, o vean documentales educativos y discutan el punto principal.