SAT/ACT Prep - Finding the Main Idea
Questions on the reading section of the SAT and ACT can be broken up into four main categories: main idea, inference, facts, and evidence. This lesson focuses on the skill of reading a text and using details to identify the main idea.
What's included
1 live meeting
45 mins in-class hoursHomework
1 hour per week. Homework for this one time class is optional for students who want to use the homework to get more practice on the SAT/ACT skill of finding the main idea. If a student chooses to do the homework and would like to go over it during a private session, students can message me to request to do so.Assessment
There will be one assessment during this class session that students can review with a partner (or with me, if there are not enough students) at the end of class.Class Experience
US Grade 10 - 12
Beginner Level
This class will begin with a 3 minute do now activity to introduce students to the topic for the class (main idea). Once the do now is over, we will briefly review it and then move on to the mini-lesson. This lesson is no longer than ten minutes and follows the I do, we do, you do format. I will model reading a short text and using details from the text to identify a main idea. Then, using the main idea I identified, I will model reviewing the multiple choice question responses to find which option most closely matches my own main idea. After this, the class will have a few minutes to work on another example problem before we go over the correct response, asking students for input on which answer they chose and why. Once the mini-lesson has concluded, students will work on their own assignment of several main idea based questions. During the last five minutes of class, students should review their answers with each other and try to figure out which answers are correct. Students will then be assigned homework based on finding the main idea (this homework is voluntary so that if students choose to do so, they can continue practicing this skill once this class is over).
Other Details
Learning Needs
All learners are welcome in this class - I only request that if you receive accommodations for your learning needs through a 504/IEP in school, that you let me know ahead of time so that I can ensure that I can follow the same protocol.
Parental Guidance
The content in this class is appropriate for all students and does not contain any potentially upsetting material. Students who have not completed middle school are not recommended to take this class as the reading level of the text may be too advanced for them.
Pre-Requisites
In order to be as successful as possible in this class, it would be best to take it after completing all middle school language arts classes and freshman (grade 9) English.
Supply List
A pdf file of the five page handout will be provided to each student. The student should print this handout and respond to it directly on the paper during class time or respond to the questions on a separate piece of paper. A 1.5 page pdf file of the homework will also be provided to each student. Students should also print this assignment out or respond to the questions on a separate sheet of paper if they choose to do so.
2 files available upon enrollment
Language of Instruction
English
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
We will read examples from several fiction and nonfiction passages in order to practice the skill of finding the main idea with the information within these passages.
Joined January, 2025
Teacher expertise and credentials
New Jersey Teaching Certificate in English/Language Arts
2 Degrees
Master's Degree in English from The College of New Jersey
Bachelor's Degree in English from The College of New Jersey
I have been teaching English language arts for four years to grades 6, 8, 9, and 10. The skill of finding the main idea of a text is universal in these classes and is taught to every grade level. In addition to this experience, I am also an SAT/ACT test prep tutor at a private tutoring company and have been doing so for two years. I spend a lot of time with these students practicing the skill of finding the main idea using a variety of texts. Reviews
Live One-Time Class
$30
per classMeets once
45 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 15-18
1-10 learners per class
