Central Idea
What does central idea mean?
It tells what the text is mostly about.
What is the theme of a story?
The lesson learned or moral of a story.
The boy lingered in the stands after the concert. He was hoping to watch the band members pack up. What does "lingered" mean?
stayed
Jake and Tim sat quietly next to each other by the lake. Suddenly, the pole Jake was holding loosely in his hands jerked so hard, he nearly dropped it. "You got one!" exclaimed Time excitedly. "Reel him in slowly."
What did Jake have? How do you know?
Jake had a fish.
Clues: You use a pole to fish; a fish jerks on a pole when you catch one; reel it in.
What do the details of a story support?
The central idea
Three flies notice an overturned honey pot. Two of the flies decide to land in the honey and start eating it. But the oldest fly stays back. The two flies tease the older fly, but then get stuck in the honey.
What is the theme of this story?
Some prizes aren't worth it.
My objective was to get to work on time each day, so I would not get fired. What does "objective" mean?
goal
Troy stumbled, blushed and shook as he spoke to the crowd. He had spent hours preparing what he would say. He held his speech in his hand. He was up against last year's student council president.
Why was Troy giving a speech? How did he feel?
Troy was running for student council president.
Troy was nervous
The people of ancient Egypt created an advanced civilization. More than 6,000 years ago, they developed a calendar with 360 days divided into 12 months. The people made paper and learned how to write. They also built huge monuments with machines they invented.
What is the passage mostly about?
The creation of advanced civilization.
Pinocchio wants to become a real boy. In order to do so he has to prove his worth by not lying. Everytime he lies his nose grows. The best thing for Pinocchio to do is to be honest
Honesty is the best policy.
Our hockey team was far superior than any other team in the league. We had not lost a game yet! What does "superior" mean?
The best
Elizabeth was so proud of her garden. She planted the seeds early in the spring and watered the plants every morning. Last Friday, Elizabeth's mom called and asked her to come over for the week because she was feeling sick. When Elizabeth came back home, her plants were bent and drooping.
Why were the plants drooping? How do you know?
She had not watered them for a week.
Clues: Elizabeth watered plants every morning; She went to her mom's house for a week and couldn't water them.
Do you ever wonder how you taste things? You owe your sense of taste to your taste buds. We have 9,000 taste buds just on the tongue alone. There are also taste buds on the roof of your mouth. You even have taste buds on the back of your throat.
What does the author want you to learn about the passage?
Where taste buds are found
Jasmine really wanted a new pair of shoes for school but her family didn't have enough money. Jasmine decided to open a lemonade stand to earn the money for the shoes. It took Jasmine several days of stirring, smiling, and sitting in the sun until she earned enough money. There were many times when Jasmine thought she would never make enough money and wanted to quit. Thankfully, she didn't quit and worked hard. Jasmine was so proud of her new shoes because she earned them and paid for them herself.
Hard work pays off.
You should never give up on the things you want.
Keep your speech concise to save time. We have many students who need to present their reports. What does "concise" mean?
short
We watched as the engines roared, but they remained still. They were all lined up in a straight line waiting to accelerate. Each believing that they could win. A man stood close to the track waving a flag and off they went.
Where are they? How do you know?
Race Track
Clues: Engines roared; lined up in a straight line'; Believe they can win; Close to the track waving a white flag; Off they went.
Most kangaroos eat grass. Some kangaroos eat only plants and vegetables. Depending on where the kangaroos are from, some kangaroos will eat on trees and shrubs. Kangaroos eat different kinds of food. What is the central idea?
Kangaroos eat different kinds of food.
TJ hated lunch time because he knew Jake was going to make fun of him. Jake always ate all of TJ's food. When he sat down at the lunch table he was relieved when Jake didn't sit next to him. Jake sat with the younger grades that day. When Jake started making fun of a small boy, TJ knew he had to say something but, he was scared. He didn't want to make Jake angry and risk losing the rest of his lunch. Regardless of his fears, TJ bravely stood up to Jake for making fun of a younger kid.
Do the right thing even though it may be difficult.
The gymnast was so agile. I was amazed at the graceful way she moved during the floor routine. What does "agile" mean?
flexible, able to bend and move in many ways
Rachel climbed up the ladder. She got more and more nervous with every step she took. She finally reached the top, walked out on the board, and looked way down into the deep blue. Her friends had dared her, but could she do it?
What was Rachel afraid to do? How do you know?
Jump off the high diving board.
Clues: Climbed the ladder, walked out on the board; looked way down into the deep blue.