Main Idea
Niagara Falls is one of the most beautiful sights in North America. It is on the Niagra River about halfway between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. Niagara Falls is on the American and Canadian border. The American Falls is 167 feet high. On the Canadian side, the Horseshoe Falls is 161 feet high. What is the main idea of the paragraph?
Niagara Falls is one of the most beautiful sights in North America.
What is the theme of a story?
What is the lesson or moral that the author wants us to remember and apply in our own lives?
We had to make a chronological time line during Social Studies when we studied the events leading up to the Revolutionary War. What does "chronological" mean?
What is going in order of time?
What does the E in PIE stand for?
What is explain or entertain?
Tone refers to the author's ________ toward a character, subject or audience. Fill in the blank.
What is attitude?
The Statue of Liberty is visited by thousands of people every year. The Statue of Liberty is a 151 foot statue of a woman holding a book and a torch. It is located on an island in New York Harbor. It was a gift of friendship from the people of France. It has become a universal symbol of freedom.
The Statue of Liberty is visited by thousands of people every year.
Money Mark was born rich. He never had to work a day in his life and he got everything handed to him on a silver platter. When he was six, Money Mark wanted to go to a basketball game. His father paid the starting five of the Bulls and Celtics to play a private game of Nerf-ball in Money Mark’s bedroom. When Money Mark turned thirteen, he wanted to start a band. His father hired the Mountain Boys to play with him every Saturday at the family’s private concert hall, though his family was never there. By the time he was twenty-one, Money Mark was bored with life. He was surrounded by a bunch of possessions that he didn’t appreciate. Nothing was new or exciting to him. Despite his vast wealth, Money Mark never found happiness. Penny Petal was born poor. Her family hardly had anything to eat, but they loved each other. Penny Petal appreciated every thing she got. When she was six, her father walked her around the United Center before the Bulls played the Celtics. She was excited by the crazy fans and feeling in the air. She looked forward to the day that she could see a real game. When she was thirteen, she learned to play the buckets. She was an extremely talented musician, a natural percussionist. Everyone on the block loved the rhythms that poured from her palms. By the time she was twenty-one, Penny was a successful businesswoman. Soon she had everything that she had ever dreamed of having. She loved to share her wealth and happiness with her family, who had supported her through the hard times.
What is Money can't buy you happiness?
The gymnast was so agile. I was amazed at the graceful way she moved during the floor routine. What does "agile" mean?
What is flexible, able to bend and move in many ways?
Rules are very important to follow. They help people get along, and they keep things running smoothly. You should follow the rules at all times. What is the author's purpose?
What is persuade?
“There was no moon, and everything beneath lay in misty darkness: not a light gleamed from any house, far or near all had been extinguished long ago: and those at Wuthering Heights were never visible…” - Emily Bronte; Wuthering Heights Figure out the mood of the passage.
What is depressing, gloomy, eery...
Main Idea or Supporting Detail?
These mobs can be as large as 100 kangaroos.
What is a supporting detail?
In his sophomore year of high school, basketball legend Michael Jordan tried out for the varsity basketball team. But at five feet and eleven inches tall, the coach believed that Jordan was too short to play. The coach cut Jordan from the team. Jordan didn’t let this obstacle defeat him. In fact, it pushed him to work even harder. He trained vigorously and grew another four inches the following summer. The next year, Jordan made the varsity squad. He averaged 25 points a game and went on to become one of the greatest basketball players in history
What is Never give up! Don't quit!
The continuous pounding of the hammers gave me a headache. It seemed like they had been working on the new ramp for days. What does "continuous" mean?
What is nonstop?
I walked home on Monday, and opened the front door as usual. All of the sudden, I heard, "Surprise!" and all my friends humped out with presents. My birthday was still a week away! Boy, was I surprised! What is the author's purpose?
What is to entertain?
Read the passage then identify the tone. " Just look at The Titanic. The captain said, 'Even God can't sink this ship'. Then, on it's first voyage across the Atlantic Ocean, boom, it hit an iceberg and sank..."
What is sarcastic? It gives a humorous attitude in spite of a tragedy.
The Erie Canal changed the way people moved goods and supplies in the mid 1800's. The 363 mile canal connected Albany, New York to Lake Erie in Buffalo for the first time. When the canal opened in 1825, building supplies and goods could be transported quickly and cheaply across New York State. Canal boats pulled by mules carried people and supplies the 363 miles. What is the main idea of the paragraph?
What is The Erie Canal changed the way people moved goods and supplies in the mid 1800'?
Even though they were sisters, Suzie and June were nothing alike. If Suzie wanted to jump rope, June wanted to play hopscotch. If June wanted to watch soap operas, Suzie wanted to watch talk shows. Tensions rose to the point that the girls could no longer stand one another’s company. It seemed that they had nothing in common, until the day that progress reports went home. On the bus the girls were startled by how upset the other looked. They realized that they were both failing a subject. Suzie was failing math and June was failing reading. Since both girls wanted to pass their classes, they agreed to help one another. So after school for the next few weeks, Suzie tutored June in reading and then June tutored Suzie in math. By the time report cards were distributed, Suzie and June were passing all their classes. The girls were delighted, but their mother was happiest of all. Not just because her daughters had passed their classes, but because they learned to be good sisters.
What is just because you are different doesn't mean you can't find common ground or get along with someone.
Family is important.
Keep your speech concise to save time. We have many students who need to present their reports. What does "concise" mean?
What is short and to the point?
Dear Governor Perry,
I think you should send more money to my school to help us buy some new computers for our classroom. We would be able to learn more and have fun. Sincerely,
Mrs. Pedrotti's Class
What is the author's purpose?
What is to persuade?
Define mood.
What is the feeling a piece of literature causes the reader to have, the overall feeling of a passage, or the dominant impression or emotional atmosphere evoked by the text. (anything close to this will be acceptable.)
Main Idea or Supporting Detail
The Willis Tower is the tallest building in Chicago.
What is the main idea?
All Victor ever wanted to do with his life was be a singer. He didn't pay attention in school, and he spent all his time at home listening to music and impersonating his idols. His mother tried to teach him the value of getting an education and having a backup plan. But Victor would respond the same way every time, "Mom, I won't need to know any of that boring old stuff when I'm famous. You'll see." There was one major problem with Victor's plan: he wasn't any good at singing. Victor enjoyed singing so much that he didn't notice the pained look on the faces of those who endured his singing. Some lied to him and said they liked his singing. Other people told him to find something else to do with his life. Victor accused those people of being "jealous haters" and ignored their advice. Soon Victor dropped out of high school to focus on his music career. The years passed and the doors never opened.
What is Be sure that your dream can really become a reality?
To thine ownself be true.
Nina was completely inept at cooking. She seemed to burn everything she tried to cook. What does "inept" mean?
What is to have little or no skill?
If you want to make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, you need bread, jelly, and peanut butter. Put the peanut butter on one side and the jelly on the other. Last, put the two sides together to make your sandwich.
What is the author's purpose?
What is to explain?
Gently smiling, the mother tenderly tucked the covers up around the child’s neck, and carefully, quietly, left the room making sure to leave a comforting ray of light shining through the opened door should the child wake.
What is comforting? What is peaceful?