Main Idea
I have a dog whose name is Paco. He is almost 10 years old. Paco is very loveable with a brown face and short black fur. He is one of my best friends. He plays with me, sleeps with me, and goes on walks with me. I am so glad to have him around. I love him.
The main idea of this passage is:
A. The dog’s name is Paco.
B. Everyone should have a dog.
C. The writer's dog is an
important part of his life.
D. The dog is cute and sweet.
C. The writer's dog is an
important part of his life.
Ryan was hanging out with his best friend Todd after school. They have been friends since kindergarten. Ryan was the cool friend. He was good looking and athletic. Todd, on the other hand, was not good at much. Ryan’s phone rang. The football players were calling to see if he wanted to hang out. The catch was that he could not bring his friend Todd. Todd was not cool enough for the football guys.
Ryan decided not to go and to stick by his friend.
What is the theme?
Be a good friend to others.
Read the question. Then determine the strategies you would use to answer the question.
What do paragraphs 8 through 11 show about Abraham Lincoln? Use two details from the story to support your response.
Annotate: paragraphs 8 through 11 (8, 9, 10, 11), show (character trait), Abraham Lincoln
Reread paragraphs 8, 9, 10, and 11
Think - what does this show about Abraham Lincoln? (character trait)
Find supporting evidence in paragraphs 8 - 11
ADD - answer, detail, detail
Paragraphs 8 - 11 show that Abraham Lincoln is ____________.
In the text it says, "_____________________."
In the text it says, "_____________________."
This text feature is a type of image created by a camera.
Photograph
or
Photo
This is Ms. Townsend's 2nd year teaching at BBL.
TRUE or FALSE?
TRUE!
Ms. Townsend worked with Ms. Gutwin last year, and is with Mrs. Frey this year.
I can' t wait until this weekend! We’re going to my grandparents’ house and my entire family will be there. I will spend most of my time playing games with my cousins. We always have such a good time together! The day goes by so fast, and by the end we are all exhausted... but we still don’t want to leave!
The main idea of this passage is:
A. Weekends are times to travel.
B. The writer enjoys spending time with family.
C. The writer’s grandparents live far away.
D. The writer is sad to leave her cousins.
B. The writer enjoys spending time with family.
DJ was not the fastest kid. He was not the most athletic kid. But he had something in him that pushed him to do his best. Today was his last race of high school. He had never placed in any race since his freshman year. Today he had his mind set to place in the top 5. DJ stepped up to the line and took a deep breath. The sound rang for them to start. He got a good jump and pushed himself more than ever. DJ crossed the finish line in 3rd place!
What is the theme?
Never give up!
Read the question below. Then determine the strategies you would use to answer the question.
What does the word “crouched” mean as it is used in paragraph 6?
A. spun around
B. bent down
C. stood up
D. fell over
Annotate: crouched, mean, paragraph 6
Reread paragraph 6 and look for context clues
Think - what does the word mean based on how it is used in paragraph 6?
Check answer options
Slash the trash, TC, circle answer
This text feature is an image created by drawing.
Illustration
Mrs. Frey has two cats. Their names are Sparky and Patches.
TRUE or FALSE?
FALSE!
Mrs. Frey DOES have 2 cats, but they are named Billie and Tessa.
Wilbur and Orville Wright were brothers who were inventors, even from a young age when they built kites and bicycles. Many people credit the Wright Brothers with designing and building the first successful airplane. In 1903, their first flight only lasted 12 seconds, but it continues to inspire people all over the world to learn about science and math, to work hard to realize their dreams, and to use imagination to achieve success.
The main idea of this passage is:
A. The Wright Brothers worked hard.
B. The Wright Brothers were inventors who have inspired many people.
C. Inventors build kites and bicycles.
D. The first flight was in 1903.
B. The Wright Brothers were inventors who have inspired many people.
Larry had it all. A huge house, all the toys he wanted, and best of all he had enough money to buy anything he wants. He was always coming to school with new shoes and designer clothes. What more could a kid ask for? But everyday at recess Larry went out to the playground and played on the swings by himself. He disliked recess because there was no one that wanted to play with him. It made him very sad.
What is the theme?
Money can't buy happiness (or friends!)
Read the question. Then determine the strategies you would use to answer it.
Which sentence best describes a central message of the story?
A. Change is normal and an important part of life.
B. Friendships often become stronger over time.
C. New experiences can be exciting and wonderful.
D. Natural talent is more important than practice.
What strategies would you use to answer this question?
Annotate: Best, central message
Best: There will be a tricky choice, will have to use evidence
Central message: life lesson - what did the character learn?
Think - what sentence best shows the lesson?
Find evidence in the story
Slash the trash, TC, circle my answer
This text feature tells the means the meaning of the bold words in the story. This text feature is usually found at the end of the book.
Glossary
Ms. George is a twin.
TRUE or FALSE?
Ms. George has a twin brother.
Homemade pizza is delicious. First, make the dough from flour, water, and yeast. After that, begin making the tomato sauce. Next, add any vegetables you like. Then, bake it in the oven. After a short time, the kitchen begins to smell delicious. Soon, it’s ready to
eat!
The main idea of this passage is:
a. Pizza is made from flour
b. How to make homemade pizza
c. Pizza is easy to make
d. Pizza makes the kitchen smell
delicious
b. How to make homemade pizza
Matt was always mean to the other younger kids on the school bus. He would make fun of them and put sticky stuff in their seat. He was the oldest and “coolest” kid on the bus. After this year, Matt would be going to high school. He would not have to ride with these little “rug rats” anymore. The summer had passed and Matt was headed to high school. He was a little nervous getting on the bus. When he walked on, he could feel the older kids laughing at him. When he got into his seat there was chocolate sauce smeared all over his seat.
What is the theme?
Treat others how you would like to be treated.
Read the question. Then determine the strategies you would use to answer this question.
What does paragraph 12 help the reader understand about Craig?
A. Craig is too young to learn how to skate.
B. Craig is very excited about learning to skate.
C. Craig is unable to take the skates off by himself.
D. Craig is worried that his sister will take the skates back.
Annotate: paragraph 12, Craig, reader understand
Go back to paragraph 12 and reread
What does it show about Craig?
Slash the trash, TC, circle answer
This text feature shows you where places are located.
Map
Ms. Townsend's daughter is named Harper.
TRUE or FALSE?
TRUE!
Hurricanes are large, intense storms that begin over the ocean, where they gather heat and energy from the water. Hurricanes move slowly toward land, usually moving 10-20 miles per hour for more than one week. The most dangerous part of the hurricane is the storm surge, when it reaches land and causes flooding. Wind and waves also contribute to the damage caused by these surges.
The main idea of this passage is:
a. Hurricanes are dangerous storms.
b. Hurricanes begin over the ocean.
c. One type of storm is called a
hurricane.
d. Hurricanes are different from
other storms.
a. Hurricanes are dangerous storms.
Sandy had a huge Social Studies project do on Monday. She did not even start it yet, but she knew it would not take her long. So she decided to go out with her friends to the movie on Friday night and then sleepover her other friends on Saturday night. When she got home Sunday morning her stomach was hurting her. She did not feel quite right. Her mother felt her forehead, and it felt warm. She was coming down with something, and just could not concentrate on her Social Studies project. What was she going to do?
What is the theme?
Don't put things off to the last minute.
Read the question. Then determine the strategies you would use to answer the question.
Which event would be most important to include in a summary of the story?
A. A man takes care of the lighthouse and uses a small key to start its light.
B. A boat greets the lighthouse in the day but the lighthouse does not answer.
C. A terrible storm comes in the night and the bridge reminds the lighthouse why it is needed.
D. A group of workers come to the Hudson River and begin digging and building along the shore.
What strategies would you use?
Annotate: Most important, summary, story
Reread to determine most important parts
Check each answer - which is best?
Slash the trash, TC, circle answer
This text feature gives a list of topics and page numbers that are in the text, organized in alphabetical order. This text feature is usually located at the back of the book.
Index
How many years has Mrs. Frey worked at BBL?
This is Mrs. Frey's 9th year teaching at BBL.