***Main Idea and Supporting Details***

What's the Main Idea?

100

What is a main idea?

A main idea is what a passage is MOSTLY about. Also, the main idea is the most important part of a paragraph or selection.

200

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. If you ever get a chance, try to visit this beautiful attraction. What is the main idea?

Niagra Falls is a beautiful sight in North America.

300

The Statue of Liberty is a well-known structure. It 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. What is the main idea?

The Statue of Liberty is a well-known structure.

400

One of the best ways to lock a door is with a time lock. The lock is set for a certain time. It will not open before the time that has been set. It won't open when that time has passed. Banks find that time locks help keep your money safe. What is the main idea?

A time lock is the best way to lock a door.

500

Benjamin Franklin loved to write. When he was twenty-two, he set up his own printing shop and started a newspaper. He also printed a book called Poor Richard’s Almanac. It had funny stories, information about the weather, and wise sayings. What is the main idea?

Benjamin Franklin loved to write stories and books.

What's the Main Idea? #2

100

Plants add a lot to our world. Maybe the most important thing about plants is that you can eat them! Animals eat them, too! Think of all the foods you eat in one day that come from a plant. The wheat that is in your cereal or bread is a plant! The lettuce, tomato, and onion on your hamburger are plants! The apples, bananas, and grapes in the fruit bowl come from plants. What is the main idea?

Plants can be eaten.

200

Soccer players learn many skills when playing soccer. Soccer players learn how to dribble and pass the ball. They also learn how to control the ball so they can eventually score. Most importantly, soccer players learn how to work together with their teammates. What is the main idea?

Soccer players learn many skills when playing soccer.

300

The Half Moon took a round about way to find the Hudson River. The Half Moon was Henry Hudson's ship. He sailed to North America in the Half Moon. He was looking for a Northwest Passage to the Pacific Ocean. First he went north. That didn't work. Then he went south. Then he turned north again. This time he sailed into a river. The river was named Hudson River in his honor. What is the main idea?

How Henry Hudson discovered the Hudson River.

400

Booker T. Washington knew what it was like to be poor with no hope for the future. He helped others build better lives for themselves. The school he founded over a century ago is still helping young people to reach for their dreams. What is the main idea?

Booker T. Washington helped others.

500

It was backward day at school. The students had to do things backward. Some of them wore their T-shirts backward. They took a test before they studied the lesson! Dessert was served first instead of last. They tried to walk home backward, but they bumped into each other and fell down. What is the main idea?

The students had a backward day at school.

Main Idea/Supporting Details

100

The main idea in a specific passage is that kangaroos usually live in family groups called mobs. What is a possible supporting detail? A. Kangaroos are mammals. B. Mobs can be as large as 100 kangaroos.

B. Mobs can be as large as 100 kangaroos.

200

Soccer players learn many skills when playing soccer. Soccer players learn how to dribble and pass the ball. They also learn how to control the ball so they can eventually score. Most importantly, soccer players learn how to work together with their teammates. Identify which is a supporting detail: A. Soccer players learn how to work together with their teammates. B. Soccer players learn a lot when playing soccer.

A. Soccer players learn how to work together with their teammates.

300

Eating carrots is good for your eyes. Broccoli can help your nervous system and brain. Grapes are a great source of many vitamins and minerals. Eating apples can help prevent tooth decay. What is the main idea?

Fruits and vegetables are good food choices.

400

Today at school we had a fire drill while I was headed to the bathroom. I had to wait and wait. Then we had a math test. I wasn't ready because I couldn't remember my facts. At lunch, I didn't like any of the food choices. I had to nibble on my corn dog that I didn't want. What is the main idea?

Some school days just aren't fun!

500

In the winter, you can build a snowman or make snow angels. Sledding down a snowy hill is exciting. You can also skate on frozen ponds. If you are really lucky, you might get to go on a sleigh ride. What is the main idea?

There are a lot of fun outdoor activities to do in the winter.

BONUS # 1

400

Honey bees flap their wings 12,000 times a minute while flying. They travel up to 15 miles per hour. A honey bee may visit 2,000 flowers a day, but it needs to fly back to the hive after every 50 to 100 flowers. The queen bee may lay as many as 1,500 eggs a day! What is the main idea?

Honey bees are hard-working insects.

500

The big day had come at last. Mrs. Hockenberrys' third grade class waited quietly for her to come into the room. They had planned the party a week ago. Today Amy brought the cupcakes, Joey brought the napkins, Carlos brought the soda, and Katie brought the cups. Everyone wanted the party to be a surprise. Mrs. Hockenberry did not know the children knew it was her birthday. When she came back into the room, the children shouted, "Happy Birthday, Mrs. Hockenberry!" What is the main idea of this paragraph?

The class was throwing Mrs. Hockenberry a surprise birthday party.

BONUS # 2

400

When you multiply it is easy because you can count by the number to find the answer. When you divide you might not know where to start! Also, when you divide you can have a remainder. Sometimes when you divide you need to do many steps like estimating, multiplying, and subtracting. It gets very confusing! What is the main idea?

Division is harder than multiplication.

500

Benjamin Franklin invented bifocals and the stove. He was also a community leader starting both a library and a volunteer fire department. He was a scientist who worked with electricity. Ben Franklin was a writer and publisher. He wrote Poor Richard's Almanac for many years. Most importantly, Mr. Franklin was a leader in helping create our new nation. What is the main idea?

Benjamin Franklin did many different and wonderful things in his life.