Christmas Main Idea

🎄 Christmas Nonfiction Reading Comprehension Practice | Main Idea & Details (Grades 3–5)

Light up your literacy block with this Christmas-themed nonfiction reading resource designed to help students master main idea and supporting details. Inspired by the structure of i-Ready–style lessons, this set blends guided instruction, scaffolded modeling, and independent practice — perfect for building confidence and assessing readiness for PSSA, STAAR, AIR, and PARCC.

Adaptable for 2nd-grade enrichment or 6th-grade review, this resource keeps students engaged with high-interest seasonal topics while reinforcing essential skills in informational reading.

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✨ What’s Inside

Teacher Resource Guide

Clear anchor charts, definitions, and strategy notes for teaching main idea and details with consistency and clarity.

Guided Practice Passages

• A Snack that Sparkles – Explore the fun, festive world of Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes, including how they became a holiday tradition.
• Bentleyville’s Bright Lights – Discover the history and features of America’s largest walk-through light display in this engaging informational text.

Target Text

• Christmas in the Big Apple – A 2-page article highlighting New York City’s most iconic holiday celebrations.

Comprehension & Test-Prep Practice

Multiple-choice questions, evidence-based responses, and main idea/detail practice aligned to RI.3–5.2.

Pause & Ponder Prompts

High-level discussion and reflection questions for close reading, partner talk, or small-group work.

Anchor Charts + Visual Supports

Definitions, examples, and tips to help students:

• Identify main ideas

• Locate key details

• Explain how details support the central idea

Creative Extension Activity

Students design their own holiday attraction using a planning sheet, paragraph organizer, and peer-editing checklist.

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💡 Why Teachers Love It

• Aligned to CCSS RI.3–5.2, covering key informational standards with seasonal appeal

• Mirrors i-Ready lesson flow (direct instruction → guided practice → independent application)

• Perfect for small groups, centers, morning work, or test prep cycles

• High-interest passages keep readers motivated during the busy December season

• Print-and-go format requires zero prep

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🎯 Perfect For

• Main Idea & Supporting Details instruction

• Nonfiction comprehension practice

• Skill-based test prep

• Small-group or center rotations

• December literacy review

• Sub plans or emergency lessons

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⭐ Bring the joy of the season into your classroom while reinforcing essential comprehension skills your students need all year long!

🛍️Check out more i-Ready-inspired Main Idea passages: Minecraft-themed and Barbie-themed!

✍️ Follow Learning Between the Lines for more standards-aligned literacy resources that build skills, spark curiosity, and make reading meaningful.