Library Drawer Sort

This worksheet supports students in Grades 4 and 5 as they build a crucial foundational reading skill: understanding the difference between a topic and a main idea. Learners sort 12 short sentence cards by labeling each one as either a broad topic or a complete main-idea statement, strengthening structural awareness and comprehension accuracy through hands-on classification.

Learning Goals

• Topic vs. Main Idea Understanding (Grades 4-5) – Students distinguish between general subjects and sentences that explain what a text is mostly about.
• Analyzing Levels of Specificity – Learners recognize that main ideas include a focus and a key point, while topics do not.
• Sentence Classification Skills – Students practice sorting sentences by purpose rather than surface wording.
• Text Structure Awareness – Reinforces how ideas are organized in informational and narrative texts.

Instructional Benefits

• Teacher-Created Resource – Designed by educators to align with upper-elementary reading comprehension standards.
• Library-Themed Visuals – Familiar imagery makes abstract concepts concrete and engaging.
• Excellent for Introduction or Reteach – Works well at the start of a main-idea unit or for targeted intervention.
• Hands-On & Interactive – Card-style sorting supports kinesthetic and visual learners.
• Flexible Classroom Use – Ideal for literacy centers, small groups, whole-class practice, or independent work.

This library drawer sort worksheet helps students gain clarity and confidence in identifying topics versus main ideas-an essential skill for summarizing, note-taking, and comprehension across subjects. By practicing with mixed examples, learners develop stronger analytical reading habits and a clearer understanding of how texts communicate meaning.

This worksheet is part of our Main Idea and Supporting Details Worksheets collection.