Central Idea/Key Details
Finish the sentence: A main idea is...
A main idea is what the test is mostly about.
Making Towers Bird-Friendly
The lights on tall communication towers warn pilots to avoid the towers when flying at night. Unfortunately, the steady red lights often used on towers have the opposite effect on birds: the bright beams attract and confuse them. Instead of avoiding the lights, the birds fly directly toward them, crashing into the towers or becoming entangled in power lines. Millions of birds have died this way. However, there is a solution. Unlike steady lights, flashing or blinking lights don't attract birds. In response to demands from conservation groups, the Federal Aviation Administration in 2016 began requiring communication towers in the U.S. to use blinking lights instead of steady ones.
What was the effect of having tall communication towers on the birds?
"the bright beams attract and confuse them. Instead of avoiding the lights, the birds fly directly toward them, crashing into the towers or becoming entangled in power lines. Millions of birds have died this way."
"The merchant ignored the peasant's words. "I hope you enjoy your reward," he said. "Thank you again and good-bye." He quickly departed.
Which word or words help the reader understand the meaning of the word departed?
"good-bye"
I step outside. First, it's a quick, cold intake of breath, then a warm, cloudy exhale into the new winter day. Dots of ice—tiny, sharp, frozen drops land and vanish on my still-warm cheeks.
I am packaged in wool, fleece, and thick nylon on top, and my feet are sheltered in warm rubber boots. "Shhh shhh shhh," whisper my snow pants as I walk.
One inch of snow is everywhere now, and the quiet world says, "shush." Weightless crystals glint in the light around me. It is the first one—the first day of snow!
What is the author's purpose of this text?
a. to inform what to wear to keep warm in the winter
b. to describe the experience of going out into the snow.
b. to describe the experience of going out into the snow.
What should you do every time you read a paragraph?
Make a hashtag!
Finish the sentence: Key details are...
Key details are the facts, information, examples that support the main idea.
Making Towers Bird-Friendly
The lights on tall communication towers warn pilots to avoid the towers when flying at night. Unfortunately, the steady red lights often used on towers have the opposite effect on birds: the bright beams attract and confuse them. Instead of avoiding the lights, the birds fly directly toward them, crashing into the towers or becoming entangled in power lines. Millions of birds have died this way. However, there is a solution. Unlike steady lights, flashing or blinking lights don't attract birds. In response to demands from conservation groups, the Federal Aviation Administration in 2016 began requiring communication towers in the U.S. to use blinking lights instead of steady ones.
Because of the birds being affected by the towers what did they decide to do?
"In response to demands from conservation groups, the Federal Aviation Administration in 2016 began requiring communication towers in the U.S. to use blinking lights instead of steady ones."
A new technology, radar, allowed the British air force to track and shoot down the German planes without light. To keep the technology secret, the government told the media that their pilots could see the German planes because they consumed so many carrots. Consequently, people began to believe that eating carrots would help them see better in the dark.
What is the meaning of the word CONSUMED?
eat
When I rounded the corner I could hardly believe my eyes―it was the dog! He sat up on his haunches and faced me, begging.
What Point of View is this text in? 1st, 2nd, 3rd limited, 3rd omniscient
What is one of the problems that is happening to our oceans and coastal communities?
plastic pollution, overfishing, sea level rise
The First "Newspaper" War
The Crimean War was fought in the 1850s between Russia on one side and Britain, France, and Turkey on the other. Although it was a major conflict, it is perhaps best remembered as the first war in which journalists were present on the battlefield. News dispatches from William Howard Russell, a reporter for the Times of London, exposed military blunders and revealed the filthy conditions that existed in military hospitals and camps. Photographers such as James Robertson and Roger Fenton made hundreds of photographs of soldiers on the battlefield. These news reports and photographs provided an uncensored look at life on the frontlines. The Crimean War marked the first time in history that people back home were exposed to the horrors of war.
What is the main idea of the passage? Must be a complete sentence!!
The Crimean War was the first war to be documented for civilians.
What do cause and effect questions try to answer? Describe it in your own words.
Hint: Cause and effect questions ask about...
Cause and effect questions ask about the reasons why something happened.
I am packaged in wool, fleece, and thick nylon on top, and my feet are sheltered in warm rubber boots. "Shhh shhh shhh," whisper my snow pants as I walk.
One inch of snow is everywhere now, and the quiet world says, "shush." Weightless crystals glint in the light around me. It is the first one—the first day of snow!
What does the word GLINT probably mean in this passage?
to shine
Ellie chewed on her lower lip, thinking it over. On the one hand, she had always enjoyed Rachel’s company. But then she remembered how Rachel had betrayed her last summer, and she felt the cold curdle of anger reawaken in her stomach. No - no. The answer had to be no. There was no way. She and Rachel could never be friends again.
What Point of View is this text in? 1st, 2nd, 3rd limited, 3rd omniscient
3rd limited
What are the 6 Powerful P's in order?
Preview
Put a #
Point out Question Type
Process of Elimination
Prove it
Put it down
Eat Carrots, See Better?
Carrots contain high amounts of vitamin A and are good for general eye health. However, carrots will not improve night vision. That myth goes back to British propaganda during World War II. In 1940, the German Luftwaffe, or air force, began bombing Britain at night. In response, the British government ordered people to turn off their lights; the government wanted to make it difficult for German pilots to hit their targets. A new technology, radar, allowed the British air force to track and shoot down the German planes without light. To keep the technology secret, the government told the media that their pilots could see the German planes because they consumed so many carrots. Consequently, people began to believe that eating carrots would help them see better in the dark.
What is the main idea of the passage? Must be in a complete sentence!
Carrots improving night vision was a myth invented to fool the Germans about the technology the British were using in the war.
The Evolving Human Skeleton
Our early ancestors were hunter-gatherers who obtained food by hunting and by searching for edible wild plants. They needed strong bones, including large, strong jaws that enabled them to eat tough, uncooked foods. When our ancestors developed agriculture, however, their diet changed. They began growing plants, such as grains and beans, and raising animals for food; they also started cooking their foods, making them softer and easier to chew. Consequently, the human skeleton underwent radical changes. Over time, the human jaw became smaller and changed shape. Other bones also evolved, becoming lighter, especially in the joints, as a result of both dietary changes and a less active lifestyle.
What was the cause of human bones changing over time?
The cause was the changes in agriculture.
"When our ancestors developed agriculture, however, their diet changed. They began growing plants, such as grains and beans, and raising animals for food; they also started cooking their foods, making them softer and easier to chew."
Poachers in Africa are killing large numbers of rhinos for their horns. Rhinoceros horns, valued for use in traditional medicines in Vietnam and China, can fetch as much as thirty-six thousand dollars a pound. Officials have tried to protect the rhinos: they have created fenced areas for the animals, patrolled their habitats, and even tried removing their horns. Despite these efforts, the number of rhinos in Africa has been dwindling. One creative solution to the poaching problem is to remove the rhinos from Africa altogether.
What does the word DWINDLING mean in the text?
to drop in numbers, to go down
What is the Author's Purpose of this text?
HINT: Think PIE
The Crimean War was fought in the 1850s between Russia on one side and Britain, France, and Turkey on the other. Although it was a major conflict, it is perhaps best remembered as the first war in which journalists were present on the battlefield. News dispatches from William Howard Russell, a reporter for the Times of London, exposed military blunders and revealed the filthy conditions that existed in military hospitals and camps. Photographers such as James Robertson and Roger Fenton made hundreds of photographs of soldiers on the battlefield. These news reports and photographs provided an uncensored look at life on the frontlines. The Crimean War marked the first time in history that people back home were exposed to the horrors of war.
What does Discord mean? (New vocab word from this week)
A lack of agreement or hamony
Saving the Rhinos
Poachers in Africa are killing large numbers of rhinos for their horns. Rhinoceros horns, valued for use in traditional medicines in Vietnam and China, can fetch as much as thirty-six thousand dollars a pound. Officials have tried to protect the rhinos: they have created fenced areas for the animals, patrolled their habitats, and even tried removing their horns. Despite these efforts, the number of rhinos in Africa has been dwindling. One creative solution to the poaching problem is to remove the rhinos from Africa altogether. Ray Dearlove, the founder of the Australian Rhino Project, came up with a plan to relocate eighty rhinos to a safari park outside Adelaide, Australia, where a breeding herd can be established.
Which detail from the text shows efforts to protect the rhinos have already been made?
Officials have tried to protect the rhinos: they have created fenced areas for the animals, patrolled their habitats, and even tried removing their horns.
The Importance of Japan's Cherry Blossoms
In the northeastern United States, autumn is particularly colorful. Leaves change from green to red and orange, and many Americans take scenic fall foliage trips. In Japan, a similar phenomenon takes place in the spring. Cherry trees erupt in a shower of pink, and the entire country celebrates the arrival of sakura, or cherry blossoms. Though autumn leaves are admired in the United States, they are seen as just a pretty seasonal display. In Japan, on the other hand, cherry blossoms have much greater significance; the flowers are deeply rooted in Japan's culture and philosophy. Since as far back as the eighth century, sakura have symbolized change and beauty, new beginnings, and the circle of life. The blossoms have been celebrated in Japanese paintings, poems, and tea ceremonies for centuries.
Why do Japanese people view Cherry Blossoms with more importance than Americans view fall leaves?
"In Japan, on the other hand, cherry blossoms have much greater significance; the flowers are deeply rooted in Japan's culture and philosophy. Since as far back as the eighth century, sakura have symbolized change and beauty, new beginnings, and the circle of life."
"Brody, I gave you a map so you could teach your team how to navigate around the ship," the captain said. "If you had followed orders, you would have had no problem responding quickly.
Which words help the reader know what the word navigate means?
"map" or "around the ship"
When he found out that he was to be responsible for showing Abby around that week, John was thrilled. In his mind he saw them walking along the river’s edge; eating out at restaurants; horseback riding; skiing... Abby was not so sure. She took a long, appraising look at the goofy guy in front of her and sighed. She already regretted having agreed to spend her summer in this town.
What Point of View is this text in? 1st, 2nd, 3rd limited, 3rd omniscient
3rd Omniscient
What are 3 big concepts we have been practicing?
main idea, key details, author's purpose, point of view, vocab in context, cause and effect