Exit Slip: Central Idea

This concise exit-slip worksheet helps students in Grades 4, 5, and 6 demonstrate understanding of an informational text by identifying and summarizing its central idea. After reading a short passage about coral reefs, learners write a single, well-crafted sentence that captures the overall message of the text-not just one supporting detail. The brief format encourages synthesis, reflection, and careful comprehension at the end of a lesson.

Learning Goals

• Determining Central Ideas (Grades 4-6)
  Students identify the main message that runs throughout an informational passage.
• Summarizing and Paraphrasing
  Learners condense key information into one clear sentence using their own words.
• Critical Reading and Comprehension Monitoring
  Students reflect on whether their summary represents the entire text.
• Science Literacy Connection
  The coral reef topic reinforces understanding of marine ecosystems while practicing ELA skills.

Instructional Benefits

• Teacher-Created and Standards-Aligned
  Designed by educators to support informational reading and summarizing standards.
• Quick, Effective Assessment Tool
  Ideal for exit tickets to check comprehension before ending a lesson.
• Encourages Precision and Clarity
  The one-sentence limit pushes students to focus on what matters most.
• Flexible Classroom and Homeschool Use
  Works well as an exit slip, warm-down activity, or independent comprehension check.

This printable worksheet helps students solidify their understanding of central ideas through concise summarization. By synthesizing information into a single sentence, learners strengthen comprehension, summarizing skills, and confidence in identifying what a text is mostly about. Suitable for classroom and homeschool settings, this resource supports effective reading reflection and meaningful end-of-lesson assessment.

This worksheet is part of our Central Ideas of Text collection.