Topic Tracker Card Sort
Name(s): Date:
Period: Score: / 12
Reading Strategy Practice
Topic & Main Idea Recording Sheet
Match Log
Topic Card (Subject) 1–3 words / short phrase stating who or what the passage is about.
Main Idea Card (Central Point) A complete sentence stating the author's primary message.
Printed Passage
Matched Topic Card
Matched Main Idea Card
1
Life in Slow Motion Passage 1
Topic Letter: (A–F)
Main Idea Number: (1–6)
2
The Gold Rush Passage 2
Topic Letter: (A–F)
Main Idea Number: (1–6)
3
Types of Clouds Passage 3
Topic Letter: (A–F)
Main Idea Number: (1–6)
4
A Game of Baskets Passage 4
Topic Letter: (A–F)
Main Idea Number: (1–6)
5
The Underwater Reef Passage 5
Topic Letter: (A–F)
Main Idea Number: (1–6)
6
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Passage 6
Topic Letter: (A–F)
Main Idea Number: (1–6)
Partner Match Check
Every Topic is a 1–3 word phrase (names the subject).
Every Main Idea is a full sentence with the central point.
The Golden Rule
Key Difference: A topic names what the text is about, while the main idea explains the big takeaway or lesson the author wants readers to learn.
Reading Strategy Lab • Informational Text Page 1 of 3 • Student Recording Sheet Sorting Cards on Pages 2 & 3 →
Cutout Sheet 1: Topic Cards
6 Large Topic Cards
Directions: Cut along the dashed lines. Match each Topic Card (A–F) to one of your six printed passages.
A Topic Card
Sloth Survival and Camouflage
1–3 words / Short noun phrase
Subject of Passage Match to 1 Passage
B Topic Card
The California Gold Rush of 1848
1–3 words / Short noun phrase
Subject of Passage Match to 1 Passage
C Topic Card
Predicting Weather from Clouds
1–3 words / Short noun phrase
Subject of Passage Match to 1 Passage
D Topic Card
The Invention of Basketball
1–3 words / Short noun phrase
Subject of Passage Match to 1 Passage
E Topic Card
The Great Barrier Reef Ecosystem
1–3 words / Short noun phrase
Subject of Passage Match to 1 Passage
F Topic Card
The "Three Rs" of Waste Reduction
1–3 words / Short noun phrase
Subject of Passage Match to 1 Passage
Reading Strategy Lab • Informational Text Page 2 of 3 • Cutout Sheet 1 (Topic Cards) Main Idea Cards on Next Page →
Cutout Sheet 2: Main Idea Cards
6 Large Main Idea Cards
Directions: Cut along the dashed lines. Match each Main Idea Card (1–6) to one of your six printed passages.
1 Main Idea Card
Being very slow is a survival adaptation that helps sloths camouflage from predators and survive on minimal food.
Complete Sentence Match to 1 Passage
2 Main Idea Card
The discovery of gold brought thousands of people west and rapidly transformed California into a bustling state.
Complete Sentence Match to 1 Passage
3 Main Idea Card
Observing different cloud formations allows people to anticipate changing weather conditions like rain or sun.
Complete Sentence Match to 1 Passage
4 Main Idea Card
Dr. James Naismith invented basketball in 1891 using peach baskets to keep students active indoors during winter.
Complete Sentence Match to 1 Passage
5 Main Idea Card
The Great Barrier Reef is a vital, living marine structure that requires scientific study and protection from bleaching.
Complete Sentence Match to 1 Passage
6 Main Idea Card
People can significantly reduce environmental waste and keep Earth clean by reducing, reusing, and recycling.
Complete Sentence Match to 1 Passage
Reading Strategy Lab • Informational Text Page 3 of 3 • Cutout Sheet 2 (Main Idea Cards) Card Sorting Deck Complete
Topic Tracker Answer Key
Teacher Resource • Topic vs. Main Idea Reading Lab
Answer Key Total: 12 Pts
Facilitator Master
Topic Tracker Answer Key
Card Sort & Recording Sheet
5-Second Quick-Grade Matrix 2 pts per passage (1 pt Topic, 1 pt Main Idea)
Passage 1 A • 1
Passage 2 B • 2
Passage 3 C • 3
Passage 4 D • 4
Passage 5 E • 5
Passage 6 F • 6
1 Life in Slow Motion Code: A • 1
Topic [A]: Sloth Survival and Camouflage
Main Idea [1]: Being very slow is a survival adaptation that helps sloths camouflage from predators and survive on minimal food.
Anchor Clue: "Being slow is their secret weapon for staying alive."
2 The Gold Rush Code: B • 2
Topic [B]: The California Gold Rush of 1848
Main Idea [2]: The discovery of gold brought thousands of people west and rapidly transformed California into a bustling state.
Anchor Clue: "...so many people moved there that California quickly became a state..."
3 Types of Clouds Code: C • 3
Topic [C]: Predicting Weather from Clouds
Main Idea [3]: Observing different cloud formations allows people to anticipate changing weather conditions like rain or sun.
Anchor Clue: "By learning to read the clouds, you can predict if you need an umbrella..."
4 A Game of Baskets Code: D • 4
Topic [D]: The Invention of Basketball
Main Idea [4]: Dr. James Naismith invented basketball in 1891 using peach baskets to keep students active indoors during winter.
Anchor Clue: "Basketball was invented in 1891 by a teacher named Dr. James Naismith."
5 The Underwater Reef Code: E • 5
Topic [E]: The Great Barrier Reef Ecosystem
Main Idea [5]: The Great Barrier Reef is a vital, living marine structure that requires scientific study and protection from bleaching.
Anchor Clue: "Scientists and conservationists study the reef to better understand how to protect it..."
6 Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Code: F • 6
Topic [F]: The "Three Rs" of Waste Reduction
Main Idea [6]: People can significantly reduce environmental waste and keep Earth clean by reducing, reusing, and recycling.
Anchor Clue: "If everyone follows these three steps, we can create less waste and keep the Earth clean."
