A free main idea anchor chart: the main idea is what the whole text is mostly about, held up by key details, like a table and its legs. For grades 2–6. Print it on one page, or on four pages to tape together as a poster.
Main idea and details
The main idea is what the text is mostly about
It is bigger than any one detail.
Look at the title, the first and last sentences, and what keeps coming up.
Details hold it up, like legs under a table
Each detail tells more about the main idea.
Say it this way
This text is mostly about … One detail that shows this is …
Free at teach.peabody.kids
Main idea and details
The main idea is what the text is mostly about
It is bigger than any one detail.
Look at the title, the first and last sentences, and what keeps coming up.
Details hold it up, like legs under a table
Each detail tells more about the main idea.
Say it this way
This text is mostly about … One detail that shows this is …
Free at teach.peabody.kids
Main idea and details
The main idea is what the text is mostly about
It is bigger than any one detail.
Look at the title, the first and last sentences, and what keeps coming up.
Details hold it up, like legs under a table
Each detail tells more about the main idea.
Say it this way
This text is mostly about … One detail that shows this is …
Free at teach.peabody.kids
A1Main idea and details anchor chart · page 1 of 4 · A2 to the right · B1 below
A2 joins this side
10 cm at 100% · between the corner marks 7.5 × 10 in
Main idea and details
The main idea is what the text is mostly about
It is bigger than any one detail.
Look at the title, the first and last sentences, and what keeps coming up.
Details hold it up, like legs under a table
Each detail tells more about the main idea.
Say it this way
This text is mostly about … One detail that shows this is …
Free at teach.peabody.kids
A2Main idea and details anchor chart · page 2 of 4 · B2 below · trim the left and top at the marks and lay it over the one before
A1 joins this side
10 cm at 100% · between the corner marks 7.5 × 10 in
Main idea and details
The main idea is what the text is mostly about
It is bigger than any one detail.
Look at the title, the first and last sentences, and what keeps coming up.
Details hold it up, like legs under a table
Each detail tells more about the main idea.
Say it this way
This text is mostly about … One detail that shows this is …
Free at teach.peabody.kids
B1Main idea and details anchor chart · page 3 of 4 · B2 to the right · trim the left and top at the marks and lay it over the one before
B2 joins this side
10 cm at 100% · between the corner marks 7.5 × 10 in
Main idea and details
The main idea is what the text is mostly about
It is bigger than any one detail.
Look at the title, the first and last sentences, and what keeps coming up.
Details hold it up, like legs under a table
Each detail tells more about the main idea.
Say it this way
This text is mostly about … One detail that shows this is …
Free at teach.peabody.kids
B2Main idea and details anchor chart · page 4 of 4 · trim the left and top at the marks and lay it over the one before
B1 joins this side
10 cm at 100% · between the corner marks 7.5 × 10 in
How to use it
One page: print it for a notebook or a table, or project it while you teach.
A poster: print the four pages at 100% (the 10 cm bar on each page checks it). Each page after A1 says where it goes: trim its left and top edges at the marks, lay it over the page before at the ticks, and tape the back. It makes a poster about 15 by 20 inches.
Make it yours: build the chart with the class first and keep this one as your model, or add the class's own examples on sticky notes.