Main Idea
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.
There are several events that can change the Earth's surface very quickly. Volcanoes can erupt and spread lava, rock and ash for several miles. Earthquakes can leave large cracks in the Earth's surface.
What is the main idea?
Several events can change the Earth's surface.
School would be a bed of roses without tests and homework.
What is the meaning of this idiom: a bed of roses?
easy
Exhausted from my long hike through the park, I decided to hit the hay right after dinner.
What is the meaning of this idiom: hit the hay?
go to sleep
Shawna grabbed a bowl of her favorite snack. One by one, she cracked the salty shells with her teeth and ate the seeds inside.
What kind of seeds was Shawna eating?
Shawna is eating sunflower seeds.
Most of the world's volcanoes are part of the "The Ring of Fire." This is a ring of volcanoes that form a circle around the Pacific Ocean. Thousands of volcanoes make up "The Ring of Fire." These volcanoes formed the sea floor and many underwater mountains.
What is the main idea?
Most volcanoes are part of the "Ring of Fire."
Benjamin Franklin invented many things that made life easier in the late 1700’s. He invented the lightning rod that saved many homes from fires. He also invented the Franklin stove. The stove could heat a room better than a fireplace and saved people a lot of fuel. He also invented a special kind of glasses called bifocals. This new kind of glasses helped people to read better.
What is the main idea?
Benjamin Franklin was a great inventor.
My older brother is like a back seat driver, always telling me how to improve my curveball even though I don't want his advice.
What is the meaning of this idiom: a back seat driver?
someone who gives unwanted advice or tries to control something for someone else
Our basketball team is healthy, knock on wood, so they will probably win their big game tonight.
What is the meaning of this idiom: knock on wood?
Express a wish that will or will not happen
Sparta and Athens were Greek cities. Long ago, the people of both cities sent their children to school. The children learned different things there. In Sparta, the children went to school outdoors. They learned how to jump and run. They learned how to dance. They learned how to play many different games. In Athens, only boys went to school. They learned how to read, write, and speak correctly. They learned how to count and use numbers. Make an inference about schooling for girls in Sparta and Athens.
Girls went to school in Sparta but not in Athens
Benjamin Franklin was very interested in electricity. One day he tried a very dangerous experiment to prove that lightning was electricity. He attached a key to a kite string and flew the kite during a thunderstorm. When the lightning hit the kite, sparks flew from the key. Benjamin Franklin proved that lightning was electricity.
What is the main idea?
Benjamin Franklin performed an experiment that proved lightning was electricity.
Scientists can measure the intensity of an earthquake. They use an instrument called the Richter scale. The Richter scale compares the strength of different earthquakes. Earthquakes below 2.0 usually can’t be felt. Earthquakes over 5.0 on the scale can cause damage. A magnitude 7.0 is a major earthquake and can cause tremendous damage.
What is the main idea?
Scientists can measure the intensity of an earthquake.
After two weeks, the new teacher was still wet behind the ears and had trouble getting her students to pay attention after lunch.
What is the meaning of this idiom: wet behind the ears?
someone who is inexperienced
I could barely move in the stadium. We were packed like sardines.
What is the meaning of this idiom: packed like sardines?
to be overcrowded
There are many different ways of going to school. Some children go to school by radio. The teacher talks to the children over the radio. The children can talk back to the teacher. In some desert countries, children go to school in tents. They people move across the desert, carrying the tent school with them. In some hot countries, children go to school outside all year long. They do not sit in buildings. The sit on the grass. Make an inference about why children in hot countries go to school outside all year long.
It would be too hot to have school inside a building so they sit on the cool grass
Earthquakes are caused when the plates of the Earth's crust move. Earthquakes happen along "fault lines" in the earth’s crust. When the plates in the Earth suddenly shift, the Earth will begin to shift, shake or tremble.
What is the main idea?
Earthquakes are caused when the plates of the Earth's crust move.
Benjamin Franklin loved the city of Philadelphia. He started the city’s first hospital and fire department. Ben also started Philadelphia’s first public library. Benjamin Franklin worked very hard to make Philadelphia a better place to live.
What is the main idea?
Benjamin Franklin worked hard to make his city a great place to live.
The prince found the apple of his eye when he met Cinderella at the ball.
What is the meaning of this idiom: the apple of his eye?
the person he loves very much
That video game level is a hard nut to crack. I am unable to pass the level.
What is the meaning of this idiom: hard nut to crack?
It is hard or difficult.
Ben tried the button again, but it still didn't work. He unscrewed the top, took the old batteries out, and put new ones in. Then he tried the button again. It worked! Now he was all ready for the big camping trip.
What was Ben working on?
Ben is working on a flashlight.
Floods can cause tremendous damage. They can ruin houses, roads and buildings. Floods can take down trees and cause mudslides. It often leaves mud, sand and debris behind. It can take months to clean up after a flood.
What is the main idea?
Floods can cause a lot of damage.
The earth's surface is constantly changing. All over the world everyday there are earthquakes, floods and volcanoes that quickly change our world. Some changes are too small to see. Others cause tremendous damage and costs millions of dollars to clean up.
What is the main idea?
The Earth's surface is always changing.
It is not healthy to bury your head in the sand when dealing with a problem.
What is the meaning of this idiom: bury your head in the sand?
Ignore or refuse to face something
Sam is lost at sea with the new math lesson. He does not understand.
What is the meaning of this idiom: lost at sea?
He is confused.
Tina wrinkled her nose as soon as she opened the door. It always smelled awful in there. She looked around to make sure the place was empty. When she was sure they were all outside, she went from nest to nest, filling her basket with eggs.
Where was Tina?