Finding the Main Idea, Getting to Work on Time

Students at A level will be introduced to finding a main idea through pictures, and students with reading levels as low as first-grade equivalent will read a passage, retell it, and determine the main idea. Extension activities include practicing time management skills, including filling out a timesheet

Anchor(s)

R2: Determine central ideas or themes of a text and analyze their development; summarize the key supporting details and ideas. (Apply this standard to texts of appropriate complexity as outlined by Standard 10.)

Level(s): A

Estimated timeframe: 1 hour

Activity steps

1. To introduce students to the topic and prepare them to think about main idea, have them navigate to the website IXL.com and find the section opens in a new window Y.3 What is the picture about?. Students can practice together and independently. As a low-tech alternative, print one of the pictures from IXL.com or show a different picture or photo to the class. Ask students about details in the picture; how do they know the picture is “about” the main idea they identified in discussion and not these details?
2. Then, direct students to the Marshall Adult Education Reading Skills for Today’s Adults website: opens in a new window http://resources.marshalladulteducation.org/stories1.htm
   • Students choose the story “Getting to Work on Time.” (This is in level .7, right below “Getting to Work,” which is also applicable.)
   • Students do the pre-reading activity (as a discussion), do the listening and repeated readings, and answer the questions at the end.
   • Students may share written answers with a partner or the class.
   • Students answer additional questions, “What is this story about?” “What is the main idea and where does the author prove the message?”
     • (Answer: The main idea is: how Sai gets to work on time.)
     • Reiterate that the three ways Sai prepares to get to work on time are the key details of the passage.
3. Extension opportunities include:
   • Lead a class discussion focused on workplace readiness questions. (Alternately, pairs or groups can discuss while the instructor monitors and provides work-appropriate suggestions as needed. You can also use these questions as the basis to generate a group composition using opens in a new window the language experience approach.)
     • If you are going to be late to work, what should you do?
     • How do you organize your time before work? During work?
   • Guide students in filling out a time sheet such as this one available online.

Workforce readiness skills

• 1

  Positive Work Ethic: focus on coming to work every day on time

• 6

  Conflict Resolution: learn to call one’s employer if one is going to be late

• 8

  Speaking and Listening: retell key details of a story; discuss ways to get to work on time with classmates

• 9

  Reading and Writing: read sentences and short passage; write short answers

• 15

  Time, Task, and Resource Management: think about ways to use time wisely

• 16

  Mathematics: complete a time sheet (optional)

• 19

  Information Technology: use online software to locate readings and practice literacy skills

• 20

  Internet Use and Security: read a passage online