Main Idea
What is the main idea?
The main idea of a text tells what the text is mostly about.
What is a fact?
A fact is a statement that can be proven true.
My teacher walked into class with her glasses on. It was unusual that she wore her glasses. Her eyes were puffy and she talked quietly to the class. On her desk, she had a bag of cough drops and some tea with a bottle of honey next to it. What was wrong with the teacher?
I can infer that the teacher was sick. I know this because the teacher had puffy eyes and wore her glasses. She also had cough drops. A person who has cough drops is usually sick.
What are the three different types of point of view?
first person
second person
third person
What is the main idea?
An iceberg is a large piece of ice that is formed from fresh water. They are found floating in very cold oceans, seas, or lakes. Icebergs come in many shapes and sizes. Usually, only a small part of the iceberg is visible above the water. From above, it may look like an ice mountain. However, most of the iceberg is hidden underwater.
An iceberg is a large piece of ice.
What is an opinion?
An opinion is a statement of belief. It tells what someone thinks or feels and can not always be proven true.
Lulu’s sister was a fantastic artist. One day, Lulu walked into her sister’s room to find her crying. There were bright red, blue, yellow, and green puddles of liquid all over the floor. What caused Lulu’s sister to cry?
I can infer that Lulu was crying because she spilled paint on the floor. I know Lulu spilled paint on the floor because there were puddles of red, green, blue, and yellow liquid on the floor. It also says she loves art, so I know that she was probably painting in her room
What is the point of view of this passage?
“I can’t believe we are going sing in front of the whole school!” Anna said excitedly as she led the group to the front of the auditorium.
third person
What is the main idea?
Working dogs are animals that have a job. These animals are trained to help people. They protect people. They make life easier. Some dogs work with police officers. They help them find criminals or weapons. Other dogs also help find people. They are called search and rescue dogs. They are trained to find missing people when there is a disaster, like a flood, avalanche, or tornado. Other dogs act as eyes for people with visual impairments. Some dogs act as ears for people with hearing impairments. Service dogs can also be helpers for people who are physically challenged. Dogs become working dogs when they are specially trained to help and protect people.
Working dogs are trained dogs that help people.
Fact or Opinion?
There are 340 different species or types of hummingbirds.
Fact
Earth's surface is always changing. Wind crumbles rocks and soil. Volcanoes erupt. Both of these things change the way earth looks. Changes happen on earth all of the time, and they occur in the ocean and on land. Underwater volcanoes add more land to our planet. Lava forms islands in the ocean.
Based on the text, what can be inferred?
a. Volcanoes are powerful.
b. Changes only happen on earth’s surface.
c. Lava is the only thing that causes changes on earth.
a. Volcanoes are powerful.
What is the point of view of this passage AND how do you know?
Imagine that you are walking into the lunchroom. There are so many open seats, but you can’t seem to decide where to sit.
What is the main idea?
Elephants are the largest living land mammals. The Asian Elephant, also known as the Indian Elephant, can weigh up to 11,000 pounds. The African Elephant is even bigger, weighing as much as 20,000 pounds. The elephant’s gestation period is 22 months, the longest of any mammal, because baby elephants weigh an average of 260 pounds at birth. The largest elephant ever measured was 13 feet tall and weighed 24,000 pounds!
Elephants are the largest mammal that lives on land.
Fact or Opinion?
I think hummingbirds are the most beautiful birds in the world.
Opinion
Long ago, some families went to new states. They were given land for a small fee. On the land, the people could plant their own foods. They had to make their own homes too. It took many hours to pull up weeds. It also took a long time to cut grass too.
What is most likely true?
a. People had to work hard on their new land.
b. Life is the same today as it was long ago.
c. There were only a few people that cut grass.
a. People had to work hard on their new land.
What is the point of view of this passage AND how do you know?
Jillian was asked by her teacher to deliver a message to the librarian down the hall. When she stepped outside the classroom, however, she didn’t know which way to go.
The point of view of this passage is third person. I know this because the author is speaking about characters and used the character's name, Jillian.
What is the main idea?
The Moon is Earth's only natural satellite, and we can look outside on a clear night to see it. Our moon is not the only moon in the Solar System, though. There are over 300 other moons! Even though we can clearly see the Moon at night, it is about 238,857 miles away from the Earth. However, the Moon seems very close by when you consider that the Sun is about 92,955,817 miles away. The Moon goes through phases over a month's time. The Moon phases include: new moon, waxing crescent, first quarter, waxing gibbous, full moon, waning gibbous, third quarter, waning crescent.
The moon we see in the night sky orbits Earth.
Fact or Opinion?
People should not keep hummingbirds as pets because they are wild animals.
Opinion
Soil can be put into different groups based on the characteristics of each type. Soils are categorized based on the size of their particles. Particle size affects how much water a soil can hold. Loam is soil that has mostly sand and silt which allows water to filter quickly. It contains a smaller amount of clay which holds water. Loam is often thought of as the best type of soil for growing crops.
Why is loam most likely the best type of soil?
a. It contains more particles than silt soil.
b. It enables enough water to reach the roots.
c. It can break down minerals.
b. It enables enough water to reach the roots.
What is the point of view of this passage AND how do you know?
Stacey just signed up for iTunes on her computer. You think that she should not put her real name in her username, but she doesn’t listen to you.
The point of view of this passage is second person. I know this because the author is speaking to the reader, and I see the key word "you".