Lesson Title
MN/CC State Standard
Central Focus (CF)
Learning Target (LT)
Academic Language (AL)
Needed modifications/supports
Resources & materials needed
Lesson Part
Phase 1 State Target & Activate
Prior Knowledge
Lesson 1: Main Idea- The Night I Followed the Dog
1.2.2.2-Identify the main topic and retell key details of a text.
1.1.2.2-Retell stories, including key details, and demonstrate understanding of
their central message or lesson.
Students apply a variety of strategies to comprehend and identify what the
main idea is, in a given text.
I can use key details, picture clues, headings, and sequencing to help me find
the main idea within a story.
Domain-Specific Vocabulary: main idea, details
General Academic Vocabulary: strategies, prediction
Sentence Syntax Frame: The main idea is what the story is all about. The
details are the little parts in the story.
Point in lesson where language is used:
Phase 1: Students are introduced to the word main idea and its
meaning as well as what details mean.
Phase 2: Students are asked to look for strategies or clues that were
discussed to find the main idea of the book.
Phase 3: Students review what the term prediction means.
Phase 4: Students see if their predictions were correct. Students are
asked share some details in the story.
My ADHD student will have the opportunity to sit in their chair in the back row
with a TheraBand if they feel that they cannot control themselves on the rug
and are in the need to exert some energy.
Anchor chart displaying main idea vocabulary, The Night I Followed the Dog
by Nina Laden
Activity description/teacher does Students do
Good afternoon first grade! For the next three
days, we are going to focus on what main
idea is and what strategies we can use to
help us identify it. To do this, we are going to
be reading the book, The Night I Followed the
Dog by Nina Laden.
Introduction Introduction
Teacher introduces, main idea and details Students actively listen to the
to the students. Teacher uses anchor chart to learning target of the day.
display the different ways to look for main idea. Students follow along as
Before I begin reading, I want to review what teacher explains main idea
main idea is and how to figure out how to find as well as the strategies used
it. Can someone raise their hand and tell me to help identify it.
what main idea is? Right! Main idea is what
the story is all about. I want everyone to do a
motion with me when I say, the main idea is
what the story is all about. *Teacher does a
motion* Now you try! *All together* The main
idea is what the story is all about.
Strategies used to find main idea Strategies used to find
Teacher explains ways in which you can find main idea
the main idea within a story. Students come up with ways
 Finding the main idea is sometimes hard, so I in which they can find main
am going to give you some things to think idea. Students share their
about when you read a story to help you find ideas with the whole group.
that main idea. One way is to look at the titles
and headings of a book. What is a title of a
book? *Let them give a title* Excellent! So,
what might that book be about? Does the title
give us a big clue? Of course! The next clue to
finding main idea is looking at the pictures!
Pictures help us see what the words are
saying and give us clues and details that help
us with the main idea. Number fours says that
we can look at the first or last sentence to give
us an idea of what the book is mostly about.
And the last one is looking at clue words. My
example is up here. I have words like: bugs,
insects, six legs. What do you think the main
idea is about? Right! It would be about insects.
I want us to be thinking about these clues for
the next three days when we read this story to
help us find the main idea.
Phase 1 Assessment Teacher will observe and actively listen to students responses to prompted
questions.

Phase 2 Teacher Input / Inquiry Before the story Before the story
Teacher asks students questions about their Students share what kind of
pets to get them thinking about the story. animals they have with the
Teacher asks students what they think would whole group. Students share
make an interesting story to read. what their pets do when they
We are going to read a story today that we will are not home. They share
be focusing on this week. But first I want to what they think would make a
ask you a question first grade. How many of better childrens story, if their
you have pets at home and what kind? pet did something else while
*Students raise their hands and share their they were gone.
thoughts* Wow friends, you have a lot of pets.
What kind of things do your pets do when you
leave for school for the day? *Teacher gives
students an opportunity to think about what
their pet does when they are not at home*
Answers vary. (Sleep, eat, play, etc.) Would it
be a fun story to say that once there was a
dog and he slept all day the end? No! What
would make the story more interesting? What
else could your pet be doing when you are
away? *Students share their ideas* I think a
dog that is throwing a party sounds much
more fun to read about, dont you? We are
going to be reading a book called, The Night I
Followed the Dog by Nina Laden. When I
read this story, I want you to be thinking about
the clues or strategies we talked about to find
 the main idea of this book. What are those
clues? (title, first and last sentence, pictures,
and clue words)

Phase 2 Assessment The teacher listens to student responses, checking for understanding with each
answer.

Phase 3 Guided support /practice Making Predictions Making Predictions

Teacher goes through a picture walk with Students share what they
students, asking them to use the pictures to think the term prediction
predict what they think will be next. means. Students share what
Before I get into this book, I want to take you they think the story will be
on a picture walk. During the picture walk I about based on the pictures
want you to make a prediction of what you they see.
think this story will be about. What is a
prediction? Yes! A prediction is a guess you
make. *Teacher takes students through the
picture walk*. Now based on what you saw in
the book, what is your prediction or guess
about what the book will be about. *Teacher
calls on students to share their predictions*
Nice ideas! Lets read the book and find out if
you are right!
Phase 3 Assessment Teacher listens to students responses to prompted questions to check for
understanding.

Phase 4 Independent Practice Read the book Read the book

Teacher will read the book, The Night I Students will actively listen to
Followed the Dog by Nina Laden. Teacher will the story, The Night I
stop periodically to ask for retelling and Followed the Dog by Nina
sequencing. Teacher will also stop to check for Laden. Students will answer
understanding on language. prompted questions as well
What is happening in the book so far? What as retell the story using
happened at the beginning? After that? Who is sequencing.
telling the story? What did this character
learn? Why is this story so silly? Were your
predictions right about the story? What are
some details in this story?
Phase 4 Assessment Students answer prompted questions. Students retell the story in sequential
order.
Phase 5 Restatement & Closure Restatement/Closure Restatement/Closure
Teacher restates the learning target for this Students actively listen to the
lesson. learning target for the day as
Today first grade, we covered what main idea well as participate in the
is. Remember *does the motion* main idea is motions used to describe
what the story is all about and details are the main idea and detail.
small parts in the story. We made predictions
today or guesses about what we thought the
story was going to be about. We also talked
about the different strategies we use to find

Lesson Title
MN/CC State Standard
Central Focus (CF)
Learning Target (LT)
Academic Language (AL)
Needed modifications/supports
Resources & materials needed
Lesson Part
Phase 1 State Target & Activate
Prior Knowledge
main idea like the title, picture clues, first and
last sentence, and clue words. Tomorrow we
are going to take a look at this story and talk
about what kind of clues we can look for that
might help us find the main idea.
Lesson 2: Main Idea- The Night I Followed the Dog Finding the Details
1.2.2.2-Identify the main topic and retell key details of a text.
1.1.2.2-Retell stories, including key details, and demonstrate understanding of
their central message or lesson.
1.2.1.1-Ask and answer questions about key details in a text.
1.2.2.2-Identify the main topic and retell key details of a text.
Students apply a variety of strategies to comprehend and identify what the
main idea is, in a given text.
I can use key details, picture clues, headings, and sequencing to help me find
the main idea within a story.
Domain-Specific Vocabulary: main idea, details
General Academic Vocabulary: strategies, prediction
Sentence Syntax Frame: The main idea is what the story is all about. The
details are the little parts in the story.
Point in lesson where language is used:
Phase 1: Review main idea and detail.
Phase 2: Review strategies of finding main idea.
Phase 3: Have students find the details in the text.
My ADHD student will have the opportunity to sit in their chair in the back row
with a TheraBand if they feel that they cannot control themselves on the rug
and are in the need to exert some energy.
Anchor chart displaying main idea vocabulary, The Night I Followed the Dog
by Nina Laden, YouTube video, The Night I Followed the Dog read-aloud,
Details worksheet
Activity description/teacher does Students do
Good afternoon first grade! We are going to
continue our discussion on main idea.
Introduction Introduction
Teacher explains the learning goal for the day. Students actively listen to the
Today we are going to talk about what main learning goal of the day.
idea and details are again. We are going to Students do the motions with
listen to the story and really focus on the the teacher to practice
details in the story. Remember, the main idea kinesthetic learning.
is what the story is all about. *Motion* The
details are the little parts in the story. *Motion*
Phase 1 Assessment
Phase 2 Teacher Input / Inquiry
Phase 2 Assessment
Phase 3 Guided support /practice
Phase 3 Assessment
Phase 4 Independent Practice
Teacher looks to make sure students are remembering the motions and the
definitions of main idea and detail are.
Review Strategies Review Strategies
Teacher uses anchor chart to review strategies Students share what they
students may use to help them in finding the remember about the
main idea of a text. strategies used to find the
To find the main idea, what are some main idea of a text.
strategies or clues we can do to help us? *Let
students share* Right! We can look at the title
or heading! We can look at clue words. The
pictures will give us clues. Sometimes a clue is
given to us in the first or last sentence.
Teacher listens to student responses to check for understanding.
Listen to read-aloud of story Listen to read-aloud of
Teacher plays a read-aloud of, The Night I story
Followed the Dog on YouTube read by Students actively listen to the
Amanda Bynes. story on YouTube.
Today, instead of me reading this story, we are
going to listen to it on the Promethean Board.
Before we listen to the story again, what do
you remember about the story? What happens
in the beginning? *Let students answer* What
happened in the middle of the story? *Let
students answer* How about at the end of the
story? *Let students answer*. Lets take a look
back at this story! When you watch this on the
screen, I want you to be thinking about the
details or the small little parts of the story.
*Dismiss students back to their seats* *Play
read-aloud on Promethean Board*
Teacher makes sure students understand what a detail is, and what to look for
in the text.
Finding the details worksheet Finding the details
Teacher will guide students through their group worksheet
work in finding the details in the story. Students will collaborate with
Now that we have listened to the story again, I the people at their table to
want you to get the worksheet out of your find the details within the
basket that looks like the one on the board. text.
*Display the worksheet on the board for the
class* Each table is going to have one part of
the story. Table 1 you are going to talk to each
other and come up with a detail about the
beginning of the story. Table 2 and 3 you are

Phase 4 Assessment
Phase 5 Restatement & Closure
Lesson Title
MN/CC State Standard
Central Focus (CF)
Learning Target (LT)
Academic Language (AL)
Needed modifications/supports
Resources & materials needed
going to come up with a detail that happened
in the middle of the story. Table 4 you are
going to come up with a detail that happened
at the end of the story. I am going to give you a
couple of minutes to come together and
discuss about what detail you chose. Then we
will come together and share what we came up
with. Go ahead! *Give them time to discuss*
Lets come back together! *Go table to table
and ask what they came up with. Write
responses on the Promethean Board so
everyone can write down the responses*
Teacher roams making sure students are writing down the details.
Restatement/Closure Restatement/ Closure
Teacher restates the learning target for this Students actively listen to the
lesson. learning target for this
Today first grade we looked at the details lesson.
which are the small parts in the story.
Tomorrow we are going to use all of these
details that we have come up with, to find the
main idea of the story.
Lesson 3: Main Idea: The Night I Followed the Dog- Identifying Main Idea
1.1.1.1- Ask and answer questions about key details in a text.
1.1.2.2-Retell stories, including key details, and demonstrate understanding of
their central message or lesson.
1.2.2.2- Identify the main topic and retell key details of a text.
Students apply a variety of strategies to comprehend and identify what the
main idea is, in a given text.
I can use key details, picture clues, headings, and sequencing to help me find
the main idea within a story.
Domain-Specific Vocabulary: main idea, details
General Academic Vocabulary: strategies, clues, summarize
Sentence Syntax Frame: The main idea is what the story is all about. The
details are the little parts in the story.
Point in lesson where language is used:
Phase 1: We review the terms main idea and detail.
Phase 2: We use the word summarize to review details in the story.
Phase 3: Teacher asks students to discuss main ideas.
Phase 4: Students write the main idea of the story and write details to
support the main idea.
- Below level readers will only need to write one or two details. They also may
need the quiz story read to them.
- To support the needs of one student with ADHD, they will be able to sit in their
chair with a TheraBand to help them focus. They will also be given one on
one support during the test and writing portion of this lesson.
Main idea anchor chart,The Night I Followed the Dog by Nina Laden, The
Main Idea worksheet, The Carnival main idea worksheet,
Lesson Part Activity description/teacher does Students do
Phase 1 State Target & Activate Good morning first grade. Today we are going
Prior Knowledge to wrap up talking about main idea and detail.
Review main idea and detail Review main idea and
Teacher reviews main idea and detail with detail
students. Students review the terms
When we read a story and we want to look for main idea and detail with the
the main idea what are we looking for? *Call whole group.
on student* Thats right we look for what the
story is, all about. What about a detail? *Call
on student* yes! It is the small parts in the
story. Do we need details? Yes! Details are
important to help find the main idea.
Review strategies we use to find main idea Review strategies we use
Teachers reviews strategies we use to find the to find main idea
main idea. Students review strategies
First grade, what are the clues or strategies that they can use to find the
we use to help us find the main idea. *Call on main idea.
students* We can look at pictures, the first and
last sentence, the title, and clue words. I am
hoping that we can use these strategies to
help us come up with the main idea of, The
Night I Followed the Dog.
Phase 1 Assessment Teacher listens to student responses, checking for understanding.

Phase 2 Teacher Input / Inquiry
Summarize details in the story Summarize details in the
Teacher summarizes the details within the story
story that they previously discussed as a class. Students share details in the
Yesterday we talked about some of the details beginning, middle, and end of
in the story, The Night I Followed the Dog. the story with the whole
Remember details are the little parts in the group.
story. What are some details in the beginning
of the story? *Let students share with the
group*. What are some details that happened
in the middle of the story? *Students share*
What are some details at the end of the story>
*Students share* Now we are going to use
those details, and we are going to figure out
the main idea of the story.
 Phase 2 Assessment Teacher actively listens to student responses, checking for understanding.
Phase 3 Guided support /practice
Phase 3 Assessment Teacher listens while students discuss with one another, making sure they are
Phase 4 Independent Practice
Phase 4 Assessment Teacher roams around the room making sure students are understanding the
Phase 5 Restatement & Closure
Turn and Talk Turn and Talk
Teacher instructs students to turn and talk to Students will turn and talk to
one another about what they think the main each other about what they
idea of the story is. think the main idea is.
Right now, I want you to turn and talk to your
turn and talk partner and talk to each other
about what you think the main idea of the story
is. Use the details to support your answer.
understanding the task.
Main Idea worksheet/ Assessment Main Idea worksheet/
Worksheet Assessment Worksheet
Teacher instructs students to work on the main Students write what they
idea worksheet and the assessment think the main idea of the
worksheet. story is on a worksheet.
First grade we have some last things to work Students also take a quiz to
on. We are going to work the rest of the time demonstrate their knowledge
silently and on our own. You have three tasks. of finding main idea.
The first thing you have to do is do this main
idea worksheet. Under topic, you will put the
book title which is, The Night I Followed the
Dog. Under main idea, you will write a
sentence that says what the main idea, or
what the whole story is about. The last three
things are the details in the story. The second
thing you will do is this carnival worksheet. It
has a short paragraph and some questions. If
you get done with all of that, it is silent reading
time until recess. Does anyone have any
questions about what to do? If you need any
help raise your hand and I will make my way
around to help you.
tasks.
Restatement/Closure Restatement/Closure
Teachers states the learning target of this Students actively listen to the
lesson. learning target and the
Today we talked about finding the main idea of closure of this lesson.
the story, The Night I Followed the Dog as
well as the details in the story. I hope when
you read a story from now on, you can use
these clues to help you decide what the story
is all about and what is a detail in the story.