Main Idea Mania
What is the main idea of a text?
What the text is mostly about or the most important point the author wants you to understand.
What is a supporting detail
Information that explains, proves, or gives more information about the main idea.
What is a topic?
The general subject of a story or text.
What is text evidence?
Information from a text that supports your answer or idea.
Which word is a noun?
A. Quickly
B. Teacher
C. Run
D. Beautiful
B. Teacher
Dogs need regular exercise to stay healthy. Daily walks help keep their bodies strong and give them a chance to use their energy.
What is the main idea?
Dogs need regular exercise to stay healthy.
Exercise is good for your health.
Which is a supporting detail?
A. Exercise can strengthen your muscles.
B. Pizza is a popular food.
C. Some people own dogs.
Exercise can strengthen your muscles.
What is a theme?
The lesson or message about life that the author wants readers to understand.
Marcus grabbed his coat, gloves, and scarf before leaving the house.
What evidence suggests it might be cold outside?
Marcus grabbed his coat, gloves, and scarf.
Which word is the verb?
The students completed their assignments.
Completed
Many students enjoy listening to music while they work. Music can help some students relax and focus. However, music with loud lyrics may distract others.
What is the main idea?
Music can affect students’ focus while they work.
Jamal practices basketball after school three days a week. He works on dribbling, shooting, and passing. On Saturdays, he practices with his older brother.
Give one detail showing that Jamal works to improve at basketball.
He practices three days a week / works on dribbling, shooting, and passing / practices with his brother on Saturdays.
A story is about two best friends who have an argument but eventually forgive each other.
Which is the topic?
A. Friendship
B. Good friends can overcome disagreements.
A. Friendship
Kayla looked at the clock for the third time. She tapped her foot and kept looking toward the door.
How is Kayla probably feeling? Give evidence.
Impatient, nervous, or anxious. Evidence: She keeps checking the clock, tapping her foot, and looking toward the door.
Fix the sentence
my favorite subjects are math science and history
My favorite subjects are math, science, and history.
Recycling helps reduce the amount of trash sent to landfills. Materials such as paper, plastic, and glass can be reused to create new products. Recycling can also help conserve natural resources.
What is the main idea?
Recycling helps reduce waste and conserve resources.
Main Idea: Getting enough sleep helps students at school.
Give one supporting detail that would make sense.
Answers are at Mrs. Davidson's discretion.
- Getting enough sleep can help students concentrate during class.
A student fails his first math test. Instead of giving up, he studies, asks for help, and eventually earns an A.
What is a possible theme?
Hard work and perseverance can lead to improvement.
Andre saw a wallet on the cafeteria floor. He picked it up and immediately brought it to the main office instead of keeping it.
What character trait describes Andre? Use evidence.
Honest/responsible. He turned in the wallet instead of keeping it.
Which sentence is a complete sentence?
A. Because I was tired.
B. Running down the hallway.
C. The students finished their work.
D. After school yesterday.
C. The students finished their work.
Maya wanted to improve her grades, but she often waited until the night before a test to study. She decided to study for 20 minutes each night instead. After several weeks, she felt more prepared and her test scores improved.
What is the main idea?
Studying consistently can help improve academic performance.
The school garden has become popular with students. Science classes use it to study plants and insects. Some students help water the plants during lunch. Vegetables from the garden are sometimes used by the cooking club.
Give two details that support the idea that the garden is useful to the school.
Any two:
-Science classes use it to study plants/insects
-students help care for it
-vegetables are used by the cooking club.
Tia wanted to make the soccer team, but she wasn't selected. She was disappointed but continued practicing every afternoon. The following year, she tried out again and earned a spot on the team.
Give the topic AND a possible theme.
Topic: Perseverance / soccer / hard work
Theme:
-Don't give up when you face disappointment
-Persistence can help you reach your goals.
Lena had practiced her speech every night for a week. When her name was called, her hands shook as she walked toward the front of the room. She took a deep breath, smiled, and began speaking.
What can you infer about Lena? Give evidence.
Lena is nervous but prepared/determined. Her hands shake, but she takes a breath and gives the speech after practicing all week.
Combine these ideas into one complete sentence:
Jordan was tired. Jordan finished his homework.
Answers may vary.
Example: Jordan was tired, but he finished his homework.