Main Idea
What is a main idea?
A main idea is the most important part of a paragraph.
What is a supporting detail?
Supporting details are details that tell you more about the main idea.
The main idea is: '
a. the topic or subject of a passage or story.
b. what the passage or story is mostly about.
c. all of the story elements in a passage or story.
B. What the passage or story is mostly about.
What is personification?
Giving human characteristics to inanimate objects.
A. i in grin
B. i in fine
C. i in trick
B. i in fine
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.
Kangaroos protect themselves in many ways. If a kangaroo senses danger, they will bang their tail on the ground to warn the others. A new born joey is only the size of your thumb.What is the supporting detail?
If a kangaroo senses danger, they will bang their tail on the ground to warn the others.
Many times you can find the main idea:
a. in the first or last sentence of a passage.
b. in the title of a passage.
c. both answers a and b.
C
What one is an example of personification?
A. The children fight like cats and dogs.
B. The moon played hide and seek with the clouds.
C. I'm going to stay in bed because I'm feeling under the weather.
B. The moon played hide and seek with the clouds.
What figurative language is this example?
My friend let the cat out of the bag.
idiom
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.
What is the main idea of the paragraph?
The Statue of Liberty is visited by thousands of people every year.
Kangaroos are strange looking animals. Some kangaroos act as guards to protect the mob. They have small front legs and huge hind legs with great big feet.What is the supporting detail in the paragraph?
They have small front legs and huge hind legs with great big feet.
Supporting details:
a. help show evidence to prove the main idea.
b. are not important.
c. are made up on your own and cannot be found in a passage
A. Help show evidence to prove the main idea.
What sentence does NOT have personification?
A. The silence crept into the classroom.
B. The brown grass was begging for water.
C. The new shoes cost an arm and a leg.
C. The new shoes cost an arm and a leg.
What figurative language is this example?
I felt like the food kept calling me.
Personification
Kangaroos eat grasses, leaves and roots. The joey lives in the mother's pouch for 9 months. They only like grass that is green and close to the ground. What is the main idea of the paragraph?
Kangaroos eat grasses, leaves and roots.
DAILY DOUBLE: Kangaroos are mostly night time creatures. Kangaroos have a long powerful tail. They sleep during the day under a shady tree or bush. What is the supporting detail in the paragraph?
They sleep during the day under a shady tree or bush.
Sometimes you have to come up with a main idea on your own because it is not written in the text.
True or False
False
You try to scream but terror takes the sound before you make it. You start to freeze as horror looks you right between the eyes.
What sentence has personification?
You start to freeze as horror looks you right between the eyes.
Butterflies are amazing creatures to watch. They drift happily from flower to flower, patiently seeking out nectar from the dazzling blooms. Butterflies come in many shapes, sizes, and colors. Many people appreciate the beauty of butterflies.
Which sentence from the selection uses personification?
A. ...."they are too busy doing their work to pay attention to what people are thinking."
B. "Butterflies come in many shapes, sizes, and colors."
C. "Many people appreciate the beauty of butterflies."
A. ...."they are too busy doing their work to pay attention to what people are thinking."
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?
The Erie Canal changed the way people moved goods and supplies in the mid 1800's.
Kangaroos usually have only one baby at a time. Kangaroo babies are called joeys. Kangaroos eat grass and leaves. What is the supporting detail?
Kangaroo babies are called joeys.
Supporting details can be found in the passage or story.
True or False
True
True or false: The saying kill two birds with one stone is personification
False it is an idiom
Trees provide homes for countless animals, and also for other plants. Caterpillars, moths, butterflies, and other insects eat the leaves of the tree, and many species of beetle lay their eggs in the tree's bark. In moist climates, other plants- especially mosses and ferns can grow directly on the tree in hollow spots.
Which of the following describes the author's point of view about trees?
A. The author thinks trees are unnecessary
B. The author thinks that trees are bad for the environment
C. The author thinks that trees are good for plants and animals
C. The author thinks that trees are good for plants and animals