Is your middle schooler having a tough time with nonfiction texts? Are they struggling to understand the main point or figure out what the author is trying to say? It can be frustrating for both parents and students, but the good news is that with a little practice, this skill can improve! Understanding the central idea of a text is super important, not just for reading comprehension, but also for writing strong essays and reports.

As middle school teachers, we understand that helping students identify the central idea of a nonfiction text can be one of the more challenging tasks. But there’s a strategy that can make this much easier for your child—and that strategy is the gist.

In this blog, we’ll explain what the “gist” is, how your child can use it to break down a text into manageable parts, and how this can ultimately lead to identifying the central idea.

Promote a culture of reading in your homes. Reading cannot only be a school activity. Students need to read for fun, not only as a school requirement. You do not understand how many of my students see reading as a chore or punishment. Ensure your children see reading as fun escapes into different lands and experiences.

Whether you are an educator, parent, or student it is okay to ask for help.  If you read my previous blog, you know that the learning process needs the collaboration of the three groups – educators, parents, and students for it to be successful.  Each member plays an integral part in the education process and if you are struggling with your role then it hurts the other members of the collaboration.