Main Idea Worksheet – 5th Grade Note Taking & Summarizing Practice

Looking for simple, effective main idea practice for fifth grade? The Main Idea Worksheet is a ready-to-print reading resource that students can complete on their own after a short introduction.

Learning objective: Students will practice main idea and apply the skill independently by completing each task on the page.

Why it works: Practice like this gives students a chance to try main idea on their own after you teach it. Because the page is quick to complete and easy to review, it fits into almost any part of the school day.

What's included:

• 1 printable worksheet page

• Clear, student-friendly directions

• Cover page

How it's organized: The page opens with these directions: "Choose a nonfiction text. Find two main ideas, write two key details that support each one, and then use them to write a summary of the whole text." Students then complete the practice items in order and check their work before turning it in.

Grade level: Designed for fifth grade students. It also works well for fourth grade and sixth grade students who need extra practice or a fresh review.

How to use it: It is a great fit for morning work, learning centers, intervention groups, test review, homeschool lessons, and take-home practice.

Answer key: This page does not include a separate answer key.

Teaching tips and variations:

• Keep a few copies in your early finisher bin for independent review.

• Slip the page into a sheet protector so students can practice again with dry-erase markers.

• Send it home as homework so families can see what their child is learning in reading.

Skills covered: Main Idea, Note Taking, Summarizing, Reading

Standards: Supports Common Core RI.5.2, W.5.8, RL.5.2.

File type: PDF, ready to print.

Number of pages: 2 (1 worksheet page, 1 cover page).

Have Fun Teaching creates classroom-tested resources for PreK through 6th grade. Follow our shop to find more reading worksheets that pair well with this page. Have Fun Teaching on Teach Simple