Genre
What are the thinking jobs for a nonfiction text?
Topic
Main Idea
Key Details
What is the main idea of a text?
What the text is mostly about.
When Sam first moved to the new school, he felt alone and out of place. But soon, he met Mia, a kind girl who made him feel welcome. They quickly became close friends, sharing stories, laughter, and support. Sam learned that even when things feel tough, having a good friend by your side can make all the difference.
Which detail best supports the theme?
A) "Sam first moved to the new school, he felt alone and out of place."
B) "But soon, he met Mia, a kind girl who made him feel welcome."
C) "They quickly became close friends, sharing stories, laughter, and support."
D) "Sam learned that even when things feel tough, having a good friend by your side can make all the difference."
D) "Sam learned that even when things feel tough, having a good friend by your side can make all the difference."
What is an argument in a text?
An argument is a statement or claim the author makes about a specific topic, supported by reasons and evidence.
What is the structure of a text?
The structure of a text is the way that it is organized.
What are the thinking jobs for fiction texts?
Characters
Setting
Problem
Solution
Theme
What do we call the details that support the main idea?
Key Details or Supporting Details
Recycling is a simple way to help protect the environment. It reduces the amount of waste that ends up in landfills and saves natural resources. By recycling, we can reuse materials like paper, plastic, and glass to create new products, which helps save energy and reduce pollution. Many cities have special recycling bins to make it easier for people to participate.
Which of the following is the best evidence to support the main idea?
A) "It reduces the amount of waste that ends up in landfills and saves natural resources."
B) "Recycling is a simple way to help protect the environment."
C) "By recycling, we can reuse materials like paper, plastic, and glass."
D) "Many cities have special recycling bins to make it easier for people to participate."
A) "It reduces the amount of waste that ends up in landfills and saves natural resources."
Exercise is an important part of staying healthy. Doctors recommend that children should exercise at least an hour every day to help their bodies grow strong and stay fit. First, exercise helps build muscles and bones, making you stronger and less likely to get hurt. Second, it improves your heart health by making your heart stronger, which helps your body pump blood more efficiently. Finally, exercise is good for your mind. It can help you feel happier and reduce stress.
Which of the following sentences explains how the author uses evidence to support the idea that exercise is important?
A) "Doctors recommend that children should exercise at least an hour every day to help their bodies grow strong and stay fit."
B) "First, exercise helps build muscles and bones, making you stronger and less likely to get hurt."
C) "Exercise is an important part of staying healthy."
D) "It can help you feel happier and reduce stress."
B) "First, exercise helps build muscles and bones, making you stronger and less likely to get hurt."
What is the structure of the following text?
The water cycle is the process by which water moves around the Earth. Water evaporates from bodies of water, turning into vapor. The vapor rises into the atmosphere and cools, turning into clouds. When the clouds become full, they release water as precipitation, which can fall as rain, snow, or sleet. Once the precipitation reaches the ground, some of it is absorbed into the soil, and the rest runs off into rivers and oceans. This process repeats itself over and over again.
Chronological order
What is the genre of the following text? How do you know?
Honeybees are important pollinators that help plants grow. A honeybee colony has three types of bees: the queen, worker bees, and drones. Worker bees collect nectar from flowers and turn it into honey. A single bee can visit hundreds of flowers in one day!
Nonfiction (Informational)
It includes facts about honey bees, informing us about why they are important pollinators.
What is the main idea of the following text?
The water cycle describes how water moves through Earth’s atmosphere and surface. It begins when the sun heats water in rivers, lakes, and oceans, causing it to evaporate into the air. As the water vapor cools, it forms clouds. Eventually, the water falls back to Earth as precipitation, such as rain or snow. This process repeats, helping water to circulate around the planet.
Main Idea: The water cycle describes how water moves through Earth’s atmosphere and surface.
The storm raged outside, with fierce winds howling and rain pelting the windows. Inside, the house felt safe and cozy, providing a sense of comfort amidst the chaos. The power went out briefly, but the warmth of the fireplace kept everyone calm. As the storm continued, the sound of the wind grew louder, making it difficult to hear anything else. Despite the frightening storm, the family knew they were secure in their home.
Which sentence provides the best evidence to show how the family felt during the storm?
A) "The storm raged outside, with fierce winds howling and rain pelting the windows."
B) "Inside, the house felt safe and cozy, providing a sense of comfort amidst the chaos."
C) "The power went out briefly, but the warmth of the fireplace kept everyone calm."
D) "As the storm continued, the sound of the wind grew louder, making it difficult to hear anything else."
B) "Inside, the house felt safe and cozy, providing a sense of comfort amidst the chaos."
Reading is not just fun—it is also good for your brain. When you read, you learn new information and ideas that help you grow smarter. Research shows that reading regularly can improve vocabulary, comprehension, and even your writing skills. For example, children who read often are more likely to do well in school. In addition, reading stimulates the imagination, which helps creativity grow. Lastly, reading helps reduce stress by taking your mind off problems and transporting you to new worlds.
Which of the following sentences shows how the author uses evidence to support the claim that reading is good for the brain?
A) "Reading is not just fun—it is also good for your brain."
B) "Research shows that reading regularly can improve vocabulary, comprehension, and even your writing skills."
C) "Reading helps reduce stress by taking your mind off problems."
D) "For example, children who read often are more likely to do well in school."
B) "Research shows that reading regularly can improve vocabulary, comprehension, and even your writing skills."
What is the strucutre of the following text?
The Earth's seasons change due to the tilt of the planet and its orbit around the sun. During the summer months, the northern hemisphere is tilted toward the sun, resulting in longer days and warmer temperatures. In winter, the northern hemisphere is tilted away from the sun, causing shorter days and colder temperatures. The cycle continues as the Earth orbits the sun, bringing the fall and spring seasons in between.
Cause and effect
What is the genre of the following text? How do you know?
Lily watched a bee struggle on the sidewalk. “It looks tired,” she said to her dad. He handed her a small bottle cap filled with sugar water. Carefully, Lily placed it near the bee. After a few moments, the bee drank the water and slowly started moving again. “It worked!” Lily cheered as the bee buzzed away.
Fiction
There are characters, a problem, solution, and dialogue.
What is the main idea of the following text?
Trees play a crucial role in the environment. They provide oxygen, which humans and animals need to breathe. Trees also help prevent soil erosion, provide habitats for wildlife, and absorb carbon dioxide, which helps fight climate change. Protecting trees is important for maintaining a healthy planet.
Main idea: Trees are vital for keeping the Earth healthy.
The invention of the steam engine revolutionized industries and transportation in the 18th and 19th centuries. Before the steam engine, transportation relied on horses or wind power, which limited the speed and distance of travel. With the steam engine, trains and ships could travel much faster and more efficiently. This technological advancement made it easier to trade goods across long distances and contributed to the growth of cities and factories. As more people moved to urban areas in search of work, the demand for goods increased, leading to the rise of mass production.
Which sentence provides the best evidence that the steam engine helped the economy grow?
A) "The invention of the steam engine revolutionized industries and transportation in the 18th and 19th centuries."
B) "Before the steam engine, transportation relied on horses or wind power, which limited the speed and distance of travel."
C) "With the steam engine, trains and ships could travel much faster and more efficiently."
D) "As more people moved to urban areas in search of work, the demand for goods increased, leading to the rise of mass production."
D) "As more people moved to urban areas in search of work, the demand for goods increased, leading to the rise of mass production."
Endangered animals are species at risk of disappearing forever. The main reason animals become endangered is habitat loss, often due to human activity like deforestation and pollution. Protecting endangered species is important because it helps keep ecosystems balanced. For example, when one species of animal goes extinct, it can affect the entire food chain. Many animals also provide valuable services, such as pollination, which is essential for growing crops. By saving endangered animals, we can help preserve biodiversity and ensure a healthy planet for the future.
Which of the following sentences provides evidence for the claim that protecting endangered animals helps keep ecosystems balanced?
A) "The main reason animals become endangered is habitat loss, often due to human activity like deforestation and pollution."
B) "Many animals also provide valuable services, such as pollination, which is essential for growing crops."
C) "Protecting endangered species is important because it helps keep ecosystems balanced."
D) "For example, when one species of animal goes extinct, it can affect the entire food chain."
D) "For example, when one species of animal goes extinct, it can affect the entire food chain."
What is the structure of the following text?
Once upon a time, there was a young knight named Sir Cedric who dreamed of becoming a hero. One day, the king announced that a terrible dragon had been spotted near the kingdom. Sir Cedric knew this was his chance to prove his courage. Armed with only his sword and shield, he ventured into the forest. After a long journey, he finally encountered the dragon and bravely fought it. The battle was fierce, but Sir Cedric was victorious, and the kingdom celebrated his bravery.
Problem and solution
What are the preview notes for the folllowing text?
Lena rushed home from school, her backpack bouncing against her shoulders. Today was the big soccer game, and she had practiced for weeks. But as she reached her driveway, she saw her little brother crying. His toy airplane was stuck in the tree. Sighing, Lena knew she had to help—game or no game.
Genre: Fiction
Thinking Jobs: characters, setting, problem, solution, theme
POV: 3rd person
What is the main idea and two supporting details of the following text?
Recycling is the process of turning waste materials into new products. Instead of throwing away items like paper, plastic, and metal, recycling helps conserve resources and reduce pollution. Many communities have recycling bins that make it easy for people to separate recyclable items from trash. By recycling, people can help protect the environment.
Main idea: Recycling helps protect the environment by turning waste materials into new products.
Supporting detail #1: Recycling reduces waste and helps conserve resources.
Supporting detail #2:Many communities have recycling bins to make it easier.
Every year, millions of birds migrate long distances to find food, warmer climates, or better breeding grounds. For instance, the Arctic Tern travels from the North Pole to the South Pole, covering thousands of miles. This journey is vital for their survival, as they rely on specific environments for breeding and feeding. Migrating allows birds to avoid harsh winter conditions and take advantage of abundant food sources in other regions.
Which sentence best supports the structure of the text?
A) "Every year, millions of birds migrate long distances to find food, warmer climates, or better breeding grounds."
B) "For instance, the Arctic Tern travels from the North Pole to the South Pole, covering thousands of miles."
C) "This journey is vital for their survival, as they rely on specific environments for breeding and feeding."
D) "Migrating allows birds to avoid harsh winter conditions and take advantage of abundant food sources in other regions."
D) "Migrating allows birds to avoid harsh winter conditions and take advantage of abundant food sources in other regions."
Eating healthy foods is essential for maintaining good health and feeling energetic throughout the day. One reason why eating healthy is important is that it provides the body with the nutrients it needs to function properly. For example, fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamins and minerals that help the body stay strong and fight off illnesses. Studies have also shown that eating a balanced diet can reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes. In addition, healthy eating helps maintain a healthy weight, which reduces the strain on the heart and joints.
Which of the following sentences provides evidence to support the claim that eating healthy helps prevent diseases?
A) "Eating healthy foods is essential for maintaining good health and feeling energetic throughout the day."
B) "For example, fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamins and minerals that help the body stay strong and fight off illnesses."
C) "Studies have also shown that eating a balanced diet can reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes."
D) "In addition, healthy eating helps maintain a healthy weight, which reduces the strain on the heart and joints."
C) "Studies have also shown that eating a balanced diet can reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes."
Anna and Carlos lived next door to each other. Anna loved playing sports. She played soccer, basketball, and ran track. Every weekend, you could find her at the local sports field, practicing her skills. Carlos, on the other hand, enjoyed playing video games and building model airplanes. He spent most of his free time at home, creating new airplane models or trying to beat the high score in his favorite video game.
What is the structure of the following text?
Anna and Carlos had different interests, they both enjoyed spending time outdoors. Anna often invited Carlos to come play soccer with her, and Carlos sometimes asked Anna to join him in the park to show her the model airplanes he had built. Despite their different hobbies, they respected each other's interests and often shared their hobbies with one another.
Compare and Contrast