Serving advanced learners (and their teachers) since 2012.

CCSS ELA Standard: 2.RI.2

Identify the main topic of a multiparagraph text as well as the focus of specific paragraphs within the text.

What’s In My Brain: Grass vs Mold
What’s In My Brain: Grass vs Mold
Two columns. One is an example, one isn’t. Can you figure out the hidden rule before the big reveal?
Gr 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8
Holiday Worksheets
Holiday Worksheets
Writing prompts, non-fiction analysis, and science topics related to Christmas and Hanukkah.
Gr 1-8
Main Idea and Details
Main Idea and Details
Young students can use this big idea organizer to identify the main idea and support it with details.
Gr 1-8
Power and Traditions
Power and Traditions
We compare the power of traditions shared by millions with smaller traditions shared by perhaps just one family.
Gr 1-8
Indirect Power – Lighthouse vs Magnetism
Indirect Power – Lighthouse vs Magnetism
Students explore the idea of indirect power – which can be both visible (a lighthouse) or invisible (magnetism).
Gr 1-8
Hero or Not A Hero?
Hero or Not A Hero?
Students will determine what makes a hero a hero.
Gr 1-8
What’s In My Brain: Inventions vs Discovery
What’s In My Brain: Inventions vs Discovery
We’re looking at inventions vs discoveries.
Gr 1, 2, 8
What’s In My Brain: Austin vs Los Angeles
What’s In My Brain: Austin vs Los Angeles
We’re looking at capital cities.
Gr 1, 2, 3, 6, 8
What’s In My Brain: Italy vs Normandy
What’s In My Brain: Italy vs Normandy
We’re looking at countries vs states (and other smaller regions).
Gr 1-8
What’s In My Brain: Ball vs Book
What’s In My Brain: Ball vs Book
Let’s look at Kinetic vs Potential Energy!
Gr 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8
What’s In My Brain: Narwhal vs Penguin
What’s In My Brain: Narwhal vs Penguin
We’re looking at the arctic vs the antarctic.
Gr 1-8
Pluto – Mixed Up Paragraph
Pluto – Mixed Up Paragraph
Can you use the context clues to get these sentences about Pluto back into the correct order?
Gr 1-8
The Moon – Mixed Up Paragraph
The Moon – Mixed Up Paragraph
Can you use the context clues to get these sentences about The Moon back into the correct order?
Gr 1-8
Rainclouds – Mixed Up Paragraph
Rainclouds – Mixed Up Paragraph
Can you use the context clues to get these sentences about rain clouds back into the correct order?
Gr 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8
How to Reset Your Brain When You’re Flooded
How to Reset Your Brain When You’re Flooded
Allison Edwards explains how changing your senses can reset your brain.
Gr 1-8
What Happens In Your Brain When You’re Worried or Afraid
What Happens In Your Brain When You’re Worried or Afraid
Allison Edwards explains how blood flow in your brain affects your decision-making
Gr 1-8
Robot Writing: Volcano
Robot Writing: Volcano
Read three pieces of writing from three different robots about the same beautiful painting of a volcano. Who wrote it best?
Gr 1-8
Robot Writing: Acropolis
Robot Writing: Acropolis
One painting of ruins. Three robots. Three pieces of writing. Who wrote it best?
Gr 1-8
Automobiles – Mixed Up Paragraph
Automobiles – Mixed Up Paragraph
Can you use the context clues to get these sentences about automobiles back into the correct order?
Gr 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8
Washington, DC – Mixed Up Paragraph
Washington, DC – Mixed Up Paragraph
These sentences about Washington, DC got scrambled. Can you put them back in order using nothing but context clues?
Gr 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8
Earthquakes – Mixed Up Paragraph
Earthquakes – Mixed Up Paragraph
Can you use the context clues to get these sentences about earthquakes back into the correct order?
Gr 2, 3, 4, 6, 8
What’s In My Brain: Owl vs Eagle
What’s In My Brain: Owl vs Eagle
Some of these animals are nocturnal and some are diurnal.
Gr 1-8
Analyze Paragraphs: Baseball
Analyze Paragraphs: Baseball
Three paragraphs about baseball. They all cover the same topic — so what makes each one different? Now combine them into one super-paragraph.
Gr 1-8
Analyze Paragraphs: Cucumbers
Analyze Paragraphs: Cucumbers
Three paragraphs about cucumbers. They all cover the same topic — so what makes each one different? Now combine them into one super-paragraph.
Gr 1-8
Analyze Paragraphs: Empire State Building
Analyze Paragraphs: Empire State Building
Three paragraphs about the Empire State Building. They all cover the same topic — so what makes each one different? Now combine them into one super-paragraph.
Gr 1-8
Analyze Paragraphs: Tomatoes
Analyze Paragraphs: Tomatoes
Three paragraphs about tomatoes. They all cover the same topic — so what makes each one different? Now combine them into one super-paragraph.
Gr 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8
Analyze Paragraphs: Wolverines
Analyze Paragraphs: Wolverines
Three paragraphs about wolverines. They all cover the same topic — so what makes each one different? Now combine them into one super-paragraph.
Gr 1-8
Writing Sample: Moby Dick
Writing Sample: Moby Dick
A passage from Moby Dick to use as a mentor text, discussion starter, or writing prompt.
Gr 1-8
Writing Sample: Peter Pan
Writing Sample: Peter Pan
A passage from “Peter Pan” to use as a mentor text, discussion starter, or writing prompt.
Gr 1-8
Content Imperatives: Origin
Content Imperatives: Origin
Take students back to the beginning by using the Content Imperative ⏺️ Origin.
Gr 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8
Depth and Complexity: ⚖️ Ethics
Depth and Complexity: ⚖️ Ethics
Want to add drama to any topic? Use the Ethics prompt!
Gr 2-8
Depth and Complexity: 🏛️ Big Idea
Depth and Complexity: 🏛️ Big Idea
Let’s get students thinking big and focusing on more abstract ideas.
Gr 1-8
Depth and Complexity: Patterns
Depth and Complexity: Patterns
Can your students spot anything that repeats? Or that has stopped repeating?
Gr 2-8
Teach Non-Fiction Writing Structure With Fractals
Teach Non-Fiction Writing Structure With Fractals
Did you ever notice that the structure of an essay is very similar to the structure of a paragraph? Hmm…
Gr 1-8