Main Idea vs Theme
What is the definition of main idea?
The overall/big idea of what the text is mostly about. Remember it usually is said at the beginning or end of the passage!
What does RADD stand for?
Restate
Answer
Detail 1
Detail 2
What is the definition of character traits?
A character trait is a word that describes a character. These words are adjectives or descriptive words.
What should you use to figure out an unknown word?
What is the definition of text evidence?
Details that come directly from the text to support your answer.
What is the definition of theme?
The lesson or message the author wants you to learn. Remember this is something general that can be applied to many different stories!
If you follow RADD, what should you do first in a short response?
Restate the question in your answer.
In the story a character shares a toy with another friend. What trait would this character show?
The character shows kind/generous.
The water was freezing, the girl did not want to swim because she was shivering! What does the word freezing mean?
Very cold
What is an inference?
A smart guess based on clues and what you know.
A story is about a boy who practice soccer every day so he can get better and improve his skills. What would be a possible theme from this story?
- Practice helps you get better
- Hard work pays off
- It is important to practice in order to do better
Which is a strong detail to include in a nonfiction story about bees?
1. "Bees are good."
2. "Bees make honey and live in a hive with other bees."
2. "Bees make honey and live in a hive with other bees."
In a story a character keeps trying even when something is hard. What does this situation show about a character?
The situation shows the character is determined/hardworking.
Run fast or quickly
If a character is shivering and wearing a coat, what can you infer about the weather?
It is cold out.
A passage is all about how bees make honey. The passage gives many facts about bees and even includes a diagram of a bee's body and hive! What would be a possible main idea?
Main Idea possibilities:
- How bees make honey
- All about bees and honey
How many details should you include in a short response answer?
We learn by what they say, do, think, or how they act and react to others.
The room was silent, so silent that you could hear a pin drop! What does silent mean?
Quiet
Which is the a detail to include in your response?
1. "I think so because Ms. Spitz taught me."
2. "The text says bees make honey."
2. "The text says bees make honey."
True or false: the theme is always stated directly in the story.
False, in order to know what the theme is you have to read the whole story and think about what the author is trying to teach you.
What is missing from the answer to this question:
Question: Why are bees important?
Student Answer: Bees help the world. They make honey.
The student is missing the restate and a second detail. The answer should be something like:
Bees are important because they help the world. Bees help pollinate plants so they can grow. Also bees make honey for people to enjoy!
A character lies to avoid being in trouble, what might this story show about a character?
This shows the character is dishonest.
The giant box was heavy. They needed 3 people to help carry it! What does giant mean?
Very big
A boy hides his test paper and looks worried, what can you infer about the boy?
He may not have done well or is nervous about his score.