How do 5th graders summarize a story?

A Somebody Wanted But So Then chart helps. Students name the main character, what they wanted, the problem, what they did and how it ended, then turn the chart into a short summary, as on the lost kite sheet.

Which standards do these sheets practice?

RI.5.2 asks students to find two or more main ideas of a text and summarize it. RL.5.2 asks them to summarize a story and find its theme.

Is there an answer key?

Yes. Both sheets have an answer key with the multiple choice answers and sample organizer and summary answers.

What age are main ideas, details & summary worksheets for?

These are written for 5th Grade students, roughly ages 10-11. Many teachers also use them a grade up for review or a grade down as an extension, so use the preview to judge the fit for a particular child.

Are these main ideas, details & summary worksheets aligned to Common Core?

Yes. Each one shows the Common Core code it covers on its own page, so you can check the alignment yourself rather than taking our word for it.

Can I use these main ideas, details & summary worksheets for homeschool?

Yes. Nothing here assumes a classroom of 25, so they work the same one-to-one at the kitchen table as they do in a 5th Grade classroom, a learning center, or a tutoring session.

5th Grade Main Ideas, Details & Summary Worksheets

Q: How many 5th Grade main ideas, details & summary worksheets are there?

2 printable worksheets, all free to preview. Downloads are included with a ClassWeekly free trial, and every page prints on standard 8.5 x 11 paper.

Ages 10-11 · Free previews · Print-ready PDFs

Written by Adi Ackerman, Head Teacher

Free printable main ideas, details & summary worksheets for 5th grade students (Ages 10-11). Aligned to Common Core standards. Ready to print.

5th Grade Reading Compare and Contrast Main ideas, details & summary Clear All

Main Idea and Details in a Text About How Bees Make Honey

Grade5th Grade

TopicCompare and Contrast

Summarize a Story About a Lost Kite on a Windy Beach

Grade5th Grade

TopicCompare and Contrast

More compare and contrast worksheets

Explore all of our 5th grade compare and contrast worksheets, covering compare and contrast, main ideas, details & summary, sequencing, story elements, and more.

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Frequently Asked Questions

The main idea is what a text is mostly about, in one sentence. A summary retells the most important ideas or events in a few sentences, in the reader's own words, and leaves out small details.

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