The main idea or essential message is a summarization or a statement of the most important thing the author is trying to convey to the reader. The main idea of a primary story can often be found just by looking at the title. Be sure to determine the main idea in fiction, nonfiction and poetry. Please see below for a selection of Leveled Lessons for Below Level (basic), and/or On Level (median), and/or Above Level (competent) readers.

After students have read or listened to a story, conduct a group discussion to help students come up with a statement that summarizes what the story was mainly about. This statement should NOT include any details. Thus, the summary of "Little Red Riding Hood" would be: In this story Little Red Riding Hood goes to visit her grandmother, but instead finds an angry wolf in her house. It may clarify the story and the main idea if you give students time to illustrate one scene from the story. More advanced students can copy the summary statement onto the illustration page.