Which activity best helps first graders identify the main topic and retell key details of a text?

Creating a timeline of events is an effective activity for first graders to identify the main topic and retell key details of a text. This approach allows students to visually organize the sequence of events, which reinforces their understanding of the narrative structure. As they lay out the timeline, they are prompted to differentiate between the main topic and supporting details, thereby enhancing their comprehension and recall.

This activity encourages critical thinking as students must select which events are most significant to the overarching theme of the text. By requiring them to summarize and organize content in a linear fashion, they are not only engaged in active processing of the information but also practicing their skills in summarization, sequencing, and coherence—key components in understanding narrative texts.

The other options, while they may foster engagement with the text, do not directly guide students in identifying the main topic and key details as effectively as creating a timeline would. Drawing a favorite character allows for creativity but may not support understanding of the plot or main ideas. Reading the text aloud multiple times aids in familiarity, but without active engagement in extracting the main topic and details. Encouraging students to write their own stories promotes creativity and personal expression but does not focus on analyzing or summarizing an existing text. Therefore, the timeline activity stands out as