Objective:

Students will create visual storyboards to represent the main idea and key details of a non-fiction text. By breaking down the main idea and supporting details into visual steps, students will practice organizing information and using computational thinking to structure their ideas clearly.

Materials Needed:

• Large paper or whiteboards

• Markers

• Short non-fiction passages

Steps:

• Introduction:

  • Begin by discussing what the main idea is and why it is important in non-fiction texts. 

  • Explain that the main idea is the central point, while key details support or explain that point. 

  • Guide students through an example of identifying the main idea and key details in a passage, and explain that they will be using storyboarding to represent this information.

• Group Activity:

  • Divide students into small groups and give each group a short non-fiction passage. 

  • Have them read through the text and identify the main idea and three to four key details that support it. 

  • Students will then plan how to represent these ideas visually using a storyboard. 

  • For example, if the text is about the life cycle of a frog, the main idea might be “Frogs grow through different stages,” with key details about each stage of growth.

• Modeling the Main Idea:

  • Students will create a storyboard with multiple panels, with each panel representing a key detail that supports the main idea. 

  • For example, one panel might show a frog egg, and the next panel might show a tadpole. 

  • This process of breaking down information step-by-step mirrors computational thinking, where students decompose larger ideas into smaller, manageable parts.

• Presentation and Discussion:

  • Groups will present their storyboards to the class, explaining how the key details support the main idea. 

  • As students share, encourage others to ask questions about the visual representations and discuss how organizing information in steps helps them better understand the text.

Equity and Access:

Provide pre-drawn storyboard templates or visual aids for students who need assistance with drawing or organizing their ideas. Offer examples to guide students who might struggle with understanding the main idea.

Real-World Application:

Discuss how understanding the main idea is important when reading articles, instructions, or reports in everyday life. Explain that organizing information into smaller steps, like using storyboards, helps with everything from project planning to decision-making.

CS Practice(s):

• Developing and Using Abstractions: Students use storyboards to abstractly represent key information from the text, breaking down the main idea and supporting details.

Standard(s):

• CA CCSS.ELA-Literacy.3.RI.2

• CA CS 3-5.AP.13

Objective:

Students will use Scratch Jr., Scratch, or a favorite coding platform to create interactive digital scenes that represent the main idea of a non-fiction text and illustrate key details that support this main idea. By coding these scenes, students will demonstrate their understanding of how key details contribute to the overall message of the text, integrating computational thinking.

Materials Needed:

• Tablets or computers 

• A short non-fiction passage that has a clear main idea and supporting details

Steps:

• Introduction:

  • Begin by introducing the concept of the main idea in non-fiction texts. 

  • Ask, "What is the main idea of a passage, and why is it important?" 

  • Guide students to understand that the main idea is the central point the author wants to convey, and key details help explain or support that point. 

  • Explain that students will use a coding platform to create an animation showing the main idea of a text and the details that support it.

• Group Activity:

  • Divide students into pairs. 

  • Provide each group with a short non-fiction text and ask them to identify the main idea and supporting details. 

  • Once they’ve discussed the key information, have students plan how to represent these ideas with an animation. 

  • For example, if the text is about how bees help plants grow, students may show the bee pollinating flowers and label it as a key detail supporting the main idea.

• Creating and Coding:

  • Each scene should depict an important supporting detail that connects to the main idea. 

  • For example, if the main idea is "Bees are important for pollination," one scene might show a bee moving from flower to flower, helping them grow. 

  • Students will use coding blocks to animate these scenes and convey the relationships between details and the main idea.

• Testing and Refining:

  • Once the animations are complete, have students test their programs to ensure they represent both the main idea and supporting details accurately. 

  • Students can adjust the sequences or animations to better reflect the text, ensuring their digital representations align with the key points.

• Presentation and Discussion:

  • Each group will present their animation to the class, explaining how their scenes represent the main idea and how the details in their animation support that main idea. 

  • Encourage a class discussion on how digital representations help us better understand key concepts in texts.

Equity and Access:

Provide templates with basic scenes and animations for students who need additional support. Offer peer collaboration for students who may struggle with coding elements.

Real-World Application:

Explain how understanding the main idea and supporting details is crucial in real-world situations, from reading informational articles online to solving problems. Connecting coding to literacy helps students use multiple forms of communication to express ideas clearly.

CS Practice(s):

• Creating Computational Artifacts: Students use a coding platform to visually represent the main idea and supporting details.

• Recognizing and Defining Computational Problems: Students break down the text’s main idea and key details into smaller elements to animate them.

Standard(s):

• CA CCSS.ELA-Literacy.3.RI.2

• CA CS 3-5.AP.12

• CA CS 3-5.AP.13