Main Idea
Martin Luther King, Jr. was a strong leader. He was born on January 15, 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia. He went to college to become a minister, like his father was. Dr. King became a leader and civil rights advocate. __________ _______________________________________ On April 4, 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was shot and killed. Today we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by celebrating his birthday as a national holiday. Which of the following details supports the main idea? Martin Luther King, Jr. was a strong leader. He was born on January 15, 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia. He went to college to become a minister, like his father was. Dr. King became a leader and civil rights advocate.
A. Martin had a white childhood friend who was not allowed to play with him after they started attending different schools.
B. His nonviolent leadership and powerful speeches gained him respect from the American people.
C. We should all honor and respect Martin Luther King Jr. for the work he has done.
What is B? His nonviolent leadership and powerful speeches gained him respect from the American people.
Every day after work Paul took his muddy boots off on the steps of the front porch. Alice would have a fit if the boots made it so far as the welcome mat. He then took off his dusty overalls and threw them into a plastic garbage bag; Alice left a new garbage bag tied to the porch railing for him every morning. On his way in the house, he dropped the garbage bag off at the washing machine and went straight up the stairs to the shower as he was instructed. He would eat dinner with her after he was "presentable," as Alice had often said.
What kind of person is Alice?
What is someone who likes things to be neat and clean? I know this because she requires Paul to follow a cleaning procedure and she inspects him.
Standing at the Foul Line There are only 55 seconds left on the scoreboard And the game is tied. I concentrate and try to clear my mind, But I am worried I might miss. I dribble the ball Taking time to breathe and relax I arch my hands and lift the ball Sinking the first shot swish right through the net. I have one more shot to go, Can I make it a two-point game? I lean forward and repeat the same steps And then, I make it once again. Who will win the game now? Why is the narrator worried in the first stanza of the poem? A. The player is tired after the long game. B. The game is tied and she is worried she might miss. C. The other team is going to win. D. The player knows she can’t shoot the ball well.
What is B? The game is tied and she is worried she might miss.
When reading a passage, this is the most important or central thought of a paragraph or larger section of text, which tells the reader what the text is about.
What is the main idea?
Harriet Tubman was a runaway slave from Maryland who became known as the "Moses of her people." The Underground Railroad was a secret network of safe houses where runaway slaves could stay on their journey north to freedom. She later became a leader in the abolitionist movement, and during the Civil War she was a spy with for the federal forces in South Carolina as well as a nurse. Which of the following details supports the main idea? A. Over the course of 10 years, and at great personal risk, she led hundreds of slaves to freedom along the Underground Railroad. B. There should be a national holiday to celebrate Harriet's achievements. C. As a small child, she was a slave and frequently subjected to severe whippings.
What is A? Over the course of 10 years, and at great personal risk, she led hundreds of slaves to freedom along the Underground Railroad.
Kyle ran into his house, slamming the door behind him. He threw his book bag on the floor and plopped on the couch. After six hours of playing Grand Larceny VII, he ate some pizza and fell asleep with a slice in on his belly and his feet on his book bag. When Kyle came home from school the next day, he was noticeably distraught. He balled up his report card and placed it inside of a soup can in the garbage. He then flipped the soup can upside down and relocated garbage from other parts of the can, arranging over the soup can. He then plopped down on the couch and picked up his controller.
Why is Kyle distraught (upset)?
What is he probably got bad grades? I know this because he balls up his report card and hides it.
Going Down Excerpted from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll Alice was beginning to get very tired of sitting by her sister on the bank, and of having nothing to do: once or twice she had peeped into the book her sister was reading, but it had no pictures or conversations in it, ‘and what is the use of a book,’ thought Alice, ‘without pictures or conversation?’ So she was considering in her own mind (as well as she could, for the hot day made her feel very sleepy and stupid) whether the pleasure of making a daisychain would be worth the trouble of getting up and picking the daisies, when suddenly a White Rabbit with pink eyes ran close by her. There was nothing so very remarkable in that; nor did Alice think it so very much out of the way to hear the Rabbit say to itself, ‘Oh dear! Oh dear! I shall be too late!’ (when she thought it over afterwards, it occurred to her that she ought to have wondered at this, but at the time it all seemed quite natural); but when the Rabbit actually took a watch out of it waistcoat-pocket, and looked at it, and then hurried on, Alice started to her feet, for it flashed across her mind that she had never before seen a rabbit with either a waistcoat-pocket, or a watch to take out of it, and burning with curiosity, she ran across the field after it, and fortunately was just in time to see it pop down a large rabbit-hole under the hedge. In another moment down went Alice after it, never once considering how in the world she was to get out again.
Why did Alice chase the White Rabbit into the rabbit hole?
What is she was curious about the rabbit and wanted to see what he was doing? I know this because the text says, "for it flashed across her mind that she had never before seen a rabbit with either a waistcoat-pocket, or a watch to take out of it, and burning with curiosity, she ran across the field after it".
When words mean something other than their literal meaning.
What is figurative language?
Born Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey to a slave mother and a white father he never knew, Frederick Douglass grew up to become a leader in the abolitionist movement and the first black citizen to hold high rank (as U.S. minister and consul general to Haiti) in the U.S. government. _______________________________ _______________________________________________ Frederick Douglass once told a group of African American students from a school in Talbot County, Maryland, "What was possible for me is possible for you. Do not think because you are colored you cannot accomplish anything. Strive earnestly to add to your knowledge. So long as you remain in ignorance, so long will you fail to command the respect of your fellow men." He won world fame when his autobiography was publicized in 1845. Two years later he began publishing an antislavery paper called the North Star. Which of the following details support the main idea? A. Frederick's mother, Harriet Bailey, worked the cornfields surrounding Holmes Hill. B. A brilliant speaker, Douglass was asked by the American Anti-Slavery Society to engage in a tour of lectures, and so became recognized as one of America's first great black speakers. C. Frederick was born a slave in February 1818 on Holmes Hill Farm, near the town of Easton on Maryland's Eastern Shore.
What is B? A brilliant speaker, Douglass was asked by the American Anti-Slavery Society to engage in a tour of lectures, and so became recognized as one of America's first great black speakers.
Cassie rolled over in her bed as she felt the sunlight hit her face. The beams were warming the back of her neck when she slowly realized that it was a Thursday, and she felt a little too good for a Thursday. Struggling to open her eyes, she looked up at the clock. "9:48," she shouted, "Holy cow!" Cassie jumped out of bed, threw on the first outfit that she grabbed, brushed her teeth in two swipes, threw her books into her backpack, and then ran out the door.
What problem is Cassie having?
What is Cassie is late for school? I know this because she grabs her books.
***This is the same text as in 400 and 500*** Heroes in the Sky by Kelly Hashway Jason picked up a model helicopter on his grandfather’s desk. “This is cool,” he said, spinning the blade on top. His grandfather walked over and took the helicopter in his hand. He looked at it for a moment without saying a word. “It’s a Huey. I flew one just like it in Vietnam.” “You mean the Vietnam War, Grandpa Bill?” Jason asked. He knew his grandfather had fought in the war, but he never liked to talk about it. Grandpa Bill nodded. “The Huey was equipped with rockets and machine guns. Some of them even had grenade launchers.” Jason’s first instinct was to say that was cool. A helicopter with all those weapons would be amazing. But then he realized Grandpa Bill was a war veteran. The reason why he didn’t like to talk about the war was because it had been frightening. “Were you scared?” Jason asked, looking into Grandpa Bill’s eyes. “Of course. But I had a very important job in the Huey. I had to escort troops for the Army and Marines. The Huey became a symbol of the U.S. forces in Vietnam,” Grandpa Bill said, his voice quiet. “Did you help wounded soldiers, too?” Jason asked. He remembered his history teacher saying something about the helicopters airlifting casualties to medical facilities. Grandpa Bill nodded again, but then he smiled. Jason had never seen him look so proud. “Vietnam was the first real helicopter war. By the end of the war, the Army had an Air Force of its own.” “Thanks to the Huey and brave people like you who flew them,” Jason said. “You helped change history, Grandpa. You’re a real hero.” Grandpa Bill smiled. “I wouldn’t call myself a hero. I did what so many others did at that time.” Jason reached for the model Huey. “I’d really like it if you’d tell me more about your time in Vietnam. And not just about the helicopters or the places you’ve been to. I want to know what it was like to fight for your country, to risk your life to save others. I want to know what it feels like to be a hero.” Grandpa Bill shook his head. “There you go, using that word again.” “Because you are a hero, Grandpa.” Grandpa Bill wiped a tear from his eye and began telling Jason about his time in Vietnam.
Why didn't Jason's grandfather like to talk about the Vietnam War?
What is talking about the Vietnam War brought back memories of hard times?
"What I read" + "What I know" =
What is "What I Infer"?
(1) Sam claimed that onions were nature's magic vegetable. (2) He advised the people that onions were good for the digestion, the liver, the stomach, the lungs, the heart, and the brain. (3) Is there any truth to Sam's advice? (4) The ancient Egyptians worshipped the onion. (5) The National Cancer Institute reports that onions contain antioxidants that help block cancer and appear to lower cholesterol. (6) Apparently, Sam was right. (7) Onions are a magic vegetable. Which sentence does NOT belong in the paragraph? a) 1 b) 2 c) 3 d) 4
What is d? (4) The ancient Egyptians worshipped the onion.
***This is the same text as in 300 and 500*** Heroes in the Sky by Kelly Hashway Jason picked up a model helicopter on his grandfather’s desk. “This is cool,” he said, spinning the blade on top. His grandfather walked over and took the helicopter in his hand. He looked at it for a moment without saying a word. “It’s a Huey. I flew one just like it in Vietnam.” “You mean the Vietnam War, Grandpa Bill?” Jason asked. He knew his grandfather had fought in the war, but he never liked to talk about it. Grandpa Bill nodded. “The Huey was equipped with rockets and machine guns. Some of them even had grenade launchers.” Jason’s first instinct was to say that was cool. A helicopter with all those weapons would be amazing. But then he realized Grandpa Bill was a war veteran. The reason why he didn’t like to talk about the war was because it had been frightening. “Were you scared?” Jason asked, looking into Grandpa Bill’s eyes. “Of course. But I had a very important job in the Huey. I had to escort troops for the Army and Marines. The Huey became a symbol of the U.S. forces in Vietnam,” Grandpa Bill said, his voice quiet. “Did you help wounded soldiers, too?” Jason asked. He remembered his history teacher saying something about the helicopters airlifting casualties to medical facilities. Grandpa Bill nodded again, but then he smiled. Jason had never seen him look so proud. “Vietnam was the first real helicopter war. By the end of the war, the Army had an Air Force of its own.” “Thanks to the Huey and brave people like you who flew them,” Jason said. “You helped change history, Grandpa. You’re a real hero.” Grandpa Bill smiled. “I wouldn’t call myself a hero. I did what so many others did at that time.” Jason reached for the model Huey. “I’d really like it if you’d tell me more about your time in Vietnam. And not just about the helicopters or the places you’ve been to. I want to know what it was like to fight for your country, to risk your life to save others. I want to know what it feels like to be a hero.” Grandpa Bill shook his head. “There you go, using that word again.” “Because you are a hero, Grandpa.” Grandpa Bill wiped a tear from his eye and began telling Jason about his time in Vietnam. How did Grandpa Bill feel when he talked about his experiences during the war? a. confused b. excited c. proud d. annoyed
What is c? Proud
When you identify the differences and similarities of two or more events, characters, or setting in a text.
What is compare and contrast?
Louis Sachar worked at an elementary school while he attended college. His job was to watch over the students during lunch. Sachar played games with the students. He soon earned the nickname "Louis, the Yard Teacher". Sachar used this experience to form a character in his first children's book, Sideways Stories for Wayside School. Which sentence would make the best addition to the paragraph? a) Although Sachar graduated from law school and passed the bar exam, he decided to become a full-time children's author rather than a lawyer. b) Louis Sachar was born in New York, moved to California at age nine, and now lives in Texas. c) In 1987 Sachar and his wife Carla had their first child named Sherre. d) Sachar met his wife while he was a visiting a school in Texas.
What is a? Although Sachar graduated from law school and passed the bar exam, he decided to become a full-time children's author rather than a lawyer.
Anastasia sat by the fountain in the park with her head in her palms. She was weeping mournfully and wearing all black. In between gasps and sobs, Anastasia cried out a name: "Oh... John..." And then her cell phone beeped. Her hand ran into her purse and her heart fluttered. The text message was from John. She opened up the message and read the few bare words, "I need to get my jacket back from you." Anastasia threw her head into her arms and continued sobbing.
Why is Anastasia sad?
What is John and She are breaking-up? I know this because John wants to get his belongings back.
***This is the same text as in 300 and 400*** Heroes in the Sky by Kelly Hashway Jason picked up a model helicopter on his grandfather’s desk. “This is cool,” he said, spinning the blade on top. His grandfather walked over and took the helicopter in his hand. He looked at it for a moment without saying a word. “It’s a Huey. I flew one just like it in Vietnam.” “You mean the Vietnam War, Grandpa Bill?” Jason asked. He knew his grandfather had fought in the war, but he never liked to talk about it. Grandpa Bill nodded. “The Huey was equipped with rockets and machine guns. Some of them even had grenade launchers.” Jason’s first instinct was to say that was cool. A helicopter with all those weapons would be amazing. But then he realized Grandpa Bill was a war veteran. The reason why he didn’t like to talk about the war was because it had been frightening. “Were you scared?” Jason asked, looking into Grandpa Bill’s eyes. “Of course. But I had a very important job in the Huey. I had to escort troops for the Army and Marines. The Huey became a symbol of the U.S. forces in Vietnam,” Grandpa Bill said, his voice quiet. “Did you help wounded soldiers, too?” Jason asked. He remembered his history teacher saying something about the helicopters airlifting casualties to medical facilities. Grandpa Bill nodded again, but then he smiled. Jason had never seen him look so proud. “Vietnam was the first real helicopter war. By the end of the war, the Army had an Air Force of its own.” “Thanks to the Huey and brave people like you who flew them,” Jason said. “You helped change history, Grandpa. You’re a real hero.” Grandpa Bill smiled. “I wouldn’t call myself a hero. I did what so many others did at that time.” Jason reached for the model Huey. “I’d really like it if you’d tell me more about your time in Vietnam. And not just about the helicopters or the places you’ve been to. I want to know what it was like to fight for your country, to risk your life to save others. I want to know what it feels like to be a hero.” Grandpa Bill shook his head. “There you go, using that word again.” “Because you are a hero, Grandpa.” Grandpa Bill wiped a tear from his eye and began telling Jason about his time in Vietnam. Jason believed Grandpa Bill was a hero because... a. He killed many people. b. He could operate a machine gun. c. He took risks to save and protect other people. d. He knew a lot about helicopters.
What is c? He took risks to save and protect other people.
A writing about the text that contains the main idea and most important details in 2-3 sentences.
What is a summary?