Main Ideas in The Third Wish

This Storyboard That activity is part of the lesson plans for Third Wish, The


The Third Wish: Illustrating the Main Idea


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Lesson Plan Overview

Learning how to identify the main idea in a selection of text is an important skill for students to master. If readers are not careful, they can miss important information, plot advancements, or more. In this activity, students will identify main ideas and symbols from the story, and support their choices with details from the text.

Give your students selections from the text to illustrate. Using the spider map layout, students will recreate the text with a picture and one or two sentences that capture the main idea of the selection.

Three main ideas from The Third Wish are:

  1. Mr. Peters frees the swan from the thorny tangle. This is the task he completes to “earn” his three wishes.
  2. Mr. Peters realizes that it is hopeless to expect that Leita will ever become truly happy as a human. He decides to wish her back to being a swan.
  3. The mournful sound of two swans is Leita and her sister. They are singing because Mr. Peters has died.

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Template and Class Instructions

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Due Date:

Objective:Create a spider map that illustrates and describes three important events in The Third Wish.

Student Instructions:

  1. Click “Start Assignment” and give your storyboard a name.
  2. Write "Main Ideas" in the center title box.
  3. Write the three important main ideas from the story in each title box.
  4. Below each title, give examples.
  5. Illustrate each main idea using appropriate scenes, characters, items, and text.
  6. Save and exit when you are done.

Spider Diagram Template with 3 Empty Boxes

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How Tos about Main Ideas in The Third Wish

1

Organize group discussions about main ideas

Encourage students to work together by assigning small groups to discuss the main ideas of each section. Sharing perspectives helps students clarify their understanding and notice details they may have missed alone.

2

Model how to find supporting details in the text

Demonstrate for students how to highlight or underline key evidence that supports each main idea. Explaining your thinking aloud helps students see how to connect details to the story's bigger messages.

3

Guide students to create visual summaries

Have students make quick sketches or diagrams to represent main ideas visually. Drawing can help students remember important events and connect ideas more deeply.

4

Use sentence frames to scaffold student responses

Provide simple sentence starters such as “The main idea is…” or “This detail shows…” to support students in expressing their thoughts clearly. Structured language boosts confidence and helps all learners participate.

Frequently Asked Questions about Main Ideas in The Third Wish

What is the main idea of 'The Third Wish'?

The main idea of 'The Third Wish' is that Mr. Peters uses his three wishes to help others, ultimately showing that love and selflessness sometimes require sacrifice. The story explores the consequences of wishes and the importance of accepting what you have.

How can students identify the main idea in 'The Third Wish'?

Students can identify the main idea in 'The Third Wish' by looking for key events, repeated themes, and important character decisions. Using graphic organizers like a spider map helps break down the story and highlight its essential points.

What are three important events in 'The Third Wish'?

Three important events in 'The Third Wish' are: Mr. Peters freeing the swan, wishing Leita back into a swan, and the swans singing after Mr. Peters' death. Each event reveals the story's deeper themes about love, sacrifice, and acceptance.

How do you use a spider map to organize main ideas from a story?

To use a spider map, write the main topic in the center, then branch out with key ideas or events. For each branch, add supporting details or examples. This helps students visually organize and remember the most important parts of the story.

Why is it important for students to practice finding main ideas in stories?

Practicing finding main ideas helps students improve reading comprehension, focus on essential information, and better understand story structure. This skill is crucial for success in all subjects and grade levels.

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