THEME
What is theme?
The message the author wants the reader to take away from the story
What is Main Idea?
What the text is mostly about
What are Supporting Details?
They support and prove the main idea of the text.
What is a Summary?
An overview of what the text was about, in your own words
The definition of "gist"
What a text is mostly about
How do you figure out the theme of a story?
By the character's actions, and what they learned at the end.
How do you know if something is a good main idea?
If there are details in a few places in the text that support the main idea.
How many details should there be to support the main idea?
At least 3
What makes up the summary of an informational text?
The main idea and details, along with the source (title).
To put something in your own words
Paraphrase
Marlin wanted his son Nemo to be safe. However, Nemo didn't listen to his dad and got caught. So, along with a friend named Dory, and some other characters along the way, Marlin overcame many obstacles to find his son. Then, Marlin found Nemo and learned to trust him to be independent.
Trust, Friendship, Independence
Penguins are unique birds. Although they have wings, they can't fly. Also, they spend a lot of time in water. Penguins are also great swimmers. Although they are similar to other birds, penguins are quite unique.
What is the main idea?
Penguins are unique birds. Although they have wings, they can't fly. Also, they spend a lot of time in water. Penguins are also great swimmers. Although they are similar to other birds, penguins are quite unique.
What are the supporting details?
They can't fly.
They spend a lot of time in water.
They are great swimmers.
Penguins are unique birds. Although they have wings, they can't fly. Also, they spend a lot of time in water. Penguins are also great swimmers. Although they are similar to other birds, penguins are quite unique.
Summarize the paragraph.
Penguins are unique birds, for example they can't fly, but they are great swimmers.
The definition of "defense mechanism"
An animal's natural response to protect itself from harm
Simba wanted to be a good and noble king like his father. But, his uncle Scar wanted to be king, so he killed Mufasa and made Simba think that it’s his fault. Simba feels guilty and runs away. Simba feels scared to return home, but he realizes that he must save Pride Rock from his uncle and returns home. He discovers the truth about his dad, fights Scar, and becomes king.
Courage, bravery, family
Although they look alike, spiders are different from insects. For one, spiders have eight legs and insects have six legs. Also, spiders have two body parts and insects have three body parts. Additionally, while most insects have wings, spiders do not have wings. Do not confuse spiders for insects!
What is the main idea?
Spiders are different from insects.
Although they look alike, spiders are different from insects. For one, spiders have eight legs and insects have six legs. Also, spiders have two body parts and insects have three body parts. Additionally, while most insects have wings, spiders do not have wings. Do not confuse spiders for insects!
What are the supporting details?
-spiders have eight legs
-spiders have two body parts
-spiders do not have wings
Although they look alike, spiders are different from insects. For one, spiders have eight legs and insects have six legs. Also, spiders have two body parts and insects have three body parts. Additionally, while most insects have wings, spiders do not have wings. Do not confuse spiders for insects!
Summarize the paragraph.
Spiders are different from insects, for example, spiders have eight legs and two body parts, while insects have six legs and three body parts.
To use clues and what you already know to figure out something that isn't said directly
Infer
Aladdin wanted to marry Princess Jasmine, but he wasn't a prince and thought she would not marry him. So he pretended that he was a prince to win her heart. However, the evil Jafar tried to take over the kingdom and revealed that Aladdin was not really a prince. After defeating Jafar, Princess Jasmine said that she does not care that Aladdin is not a prince, she likes him for himself.
Be yourself, You're great just the way you are, good over evil
Not only do sharks have sharp teeth, but they also don't run out of them. Sharks can have as many as 20,000 teeth. They store many teeth within their jaw. When a shark's tooth falls out, a new tooth moves out from within its' jaw. This phenomena ensures that a shark always has a full set of teeth.
What is the main idea?
Sharks do not run out of teeth.
Not only do sharks have sharp teeth, but they also don't run out of them. Sharks can have as many as 20,000 teeth. They store many teeth within their jaw. When a shark's tooth falls out, a new tooth moves out from within its' jaw. This phenomena ensures that a shark always has a full set of teeth.
What are the supporting details?
Sharks can have as many as 20,000 teeth.
They store many teeth within their jaw.
When a tooth falls out, a new one moves out.
Not only do sharks have sharp teeth, but they also don't run out of them. Sharks can have as many as 20,000 teeth. They store many teeth within their jaw. When a shark's tooth falls out, a new tooth moves out from within its' jaw. This phenomena ensures that a shark always has a full set of teeth.
Summarize the paragraph.
Sharks don't run out of teeth, because they have as many as 20,000 teeth which they store in their jaw.
A behavior that an animal is born knowing how to do, without being taught
Instinct