Finding Main Idea Using Placemat Consensus

 In fifth grade, we are learning how to identify the main ideas of nonfiction texts and support these main ideas with key details. Our focus has been on the essential question: What is the author mostly trying to teach us? Students then use these main ideas and key details to write summaries of the texts. As we delve into more complex nonfiction, students are discovering that summarizing involves crafting shorter versions of the original text. These summaries should include the author’s main ideas, the relationships between those main ideas, and key supportive details. Many complex texts contain multiple main ideas, and students must explore how these ideas relate to one another to form a cohesive understanding. This process encourages critical thinking as students analyze how various ideas interconnect, helping them develop a deeper comprehension of the material.

As we have been exploring the main idea we have worked with several texts to build up students’ skills. We recently read a passage called “How to Give Your Worn-Out Sneakers a Second Life.” To put a fun spin on our reading activity, students worked cooperatively with their team members in a Placemat Consensus Kagen structure. First, students read through the text on their own, writing down what they think the two main ideas of the text were. Once everyone had their ideas down on their group’s poster, the team was able to discuss their ideas. After hearing everyone’s thoughts, each team had to come to a consensus on which two main ideas best represented the passage. Students would then write this in the center of their chart to show that their team had come to an agreement. 

Finally, each of our groups shared out what they believed the two main ideas of the article were to the class. Once each group had shared their ideas, we were tasked with coming up with a class consensus. We determined the main ideas were; there are many ways to repurpose shoes, including donating recycling, and repairing. Our second main idea was that shoe waste is bad for the environment, so we need to take care of our shoes. 

Students had such a great time sharing their ideas and learning from one another. Students also learned the importance of compromise and respecting one another’s thoughts and ideas.