Main Idea
What is a main idea?
A main idea is the most important part of a paragraph.
What is a supporting detail?
Supporting details are details that tell you more about the main idea.
The main idea is:
a. the topic or subject of a passage or story.
b. what the passage or story is mostly about.
c. all of the story elements in a passage or story.
B. What the passage or story is mostly about.
How do you determine the main idea of a passage?
You read the passage/story and figure out what the text is mostly about.
You think about what is the author trying to tell you about the story.
If the supporting details are: "Niagara Falls sits between Canada and the U.S.", and "many people visit Niagara Falls each year"...
What would be a main idea?
a. I have visited Niagara Falls
b. Niagara Falls is a popular destination
c. Niagara Falls is a popular U.S. and Canadian natural landmark.
c. Niagara Falls is a popular U.S. and Canadian natural landmark.
Niagara Falls is one of the most beautiful sights 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 one of the most beautiful sights in North America.
Kangaroos protect themselves in many ways. If a kangaroo senses danger, they will bang their tail on the ground to warn the others. A new born joey is only the size of your thumb.
Which one is the supporting detail?
If a kangaroo senses danger, they will bang their tail on the ground to warn the others.
Many times you can find the main idea:
a. in the first or last sentence of a passage.
b. in the title of a passage.
c. both answers a and b.
C, both answers a and b
Pizza is a favorite food in the United States. Pizza is from Italy, and it originated in the late 1800s. It became popular in the United States after World War II. People like to add toppings. Some toppings are pepperoni, sausage, and vegetables. These toppings give pizza more flavor. Pepperoni is America’s favorite topping.
True or False? The main idea is "Pizza originated in Italy"
False
How many supporting details must a main idea have?
a. 3
b. 7
c. As many is needed to support the main idea
c. As many is needed to support the main idea
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 visited by thousands of people every year.
Kangaroos are strange looking animals. Some kangaroos act as guards to protect the mob. They have small front legs and huge hind legs with great big feet.
Which one is the supporting detail?
They have small front legs and huge hind legs with great big feet.
Supporting details:
a. help show evidence to prove the main idea.
b. are not important.
c. are made up on your own and cannot be found in a passage
A. Help show evidence to prove the main idea.
Seated on his throne, King Midas wore a golden crown. He had golden rings on each finger and held a golden scepter. His vest was embroidered with golden thread and even his shoes had golden ornaments. He had a golden box filled with gold coins. He named his daughter Marigold.
What is the main idea of this paragraph?
King Midas loved gold.
The definition of a topic.
What is a broad subject or theme?
Kangaroos eat grasses, leaves and roots. The joey lives in the mother's pouch for 9 months. They only like grass that is green and close to the ground. What is the main idea of the paragraph?
Kangaroos eat grasses, leaves and roots.
DAILY DOUBLE: Kangaroos are mostly night time creatures. Kangaroos have a long powerful tail. They sleep during the day under a shady tree or bush.
Which one is the supporting detail?
They sleep during the day under a shady tree or bush.
True or False?
Sometimes you have to come up with a main idea on your own because it is not written in the text.
False
If you are feeling sad, you can make yourself feel better by doing a few simple things. You can take a walk (or get another form of exercise), you can talk to a friend, or you can write down your feelings. Writing down the good things in your life will help too. Doing something good for someone else will also help you feel better. It works like magic to make you feel better!
What is the main idea of this text?
There are many ways to make yourself feel better.
Which of the following could be a main idea of a passage?
a. Dinosaurs
b. Oceans
c. Dolphins are mammals that live in the ocean.
d. Rabbits
c. Dolphins are mammals that live in the ocean.
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 pulled by mules 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. Kangaroos eat grass and leaves.
Which one is the supporting detail?
Kangaroo babies are called joeys.
True or False?
Supporting details can be found in the passage or story.
True
Eva wanted to surprise her sister Cindy for her birthday. She decided to plan a picnic for her sister. She made two sandwiches and put them in a bag. Then she put some cookies and bottles of water in the bag. When she told Cindy about the surprise, Cindy her sister a big hug. Then the girls walked to the park.
What is the main idea?
Eva planned a picnic to surprise her sister
Which one is not a supporting detail?
a. Oceans
b. Dolphins give birth to live young.
c. Niagara Falls lies on the U.S. and Canadian border.
d. Elephants live in groups of females, including male and female babies and adolescents.
a. Oceans