Main Idea
Main idea is similar to....
gist
Niagara Falls is a beautiful sight in North America. It is on the Niagara 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 a beautiful and enormous sight in North America.
Kangaroos protect themselves in many ways. Kangaroos defend themselves with powerful kicks with their hind legs. If a kangaroo senses danger, they will bang their tail on the ground to warn the others. What is one supporting detail?
If a kangaroo senses danger, they will bang their tail on the ground to warn the others.
or
Kangaroos defend themselves with powerful kicks with their hind legs
True or false:
You can use headings, subheadings, pictures, and diagrams to help you find the main idea.
true
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 an important location.
Kangaroos are interesting looking animals. They have small front legs and huge hind legs with great big feet. What is the supporting detail in the paragraph?
small front legs
huge hind legs
great big feet
one
Kangaroos eat grasses, leaves and roots. They only like grass that is green and close to the ground. What is the main idea of the paragraph?
This is mainly about what kangaroos eat.
Kangaroos are mostly night time creatures. They eat mainly during the night. They sleep during the day under a shady tree or bush. What is the supporting detail in the paragraph?
They eat mainly at night
They sleep during the day under a shady tree or bush.
The main idea will include the following questions:
Who, What (did they do), Where, When, Why, How
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 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. Joeys stay safe in their mother's pouch. What is the supporting detail?
Kangaroo babies are called joeys.
Joeys stay safe in their mother's pouch.
True or False:
The main idea should include as many details as possible.
false