Theme
Main Idea
Topic
Theme Vs. Main Idea
100

What is theme?

What is the central message or life lesson?

100

What is Main Idea?

What is the summary sentence of the text?

100

What is a topic?

Very general idea of the text.

100

True or false: Theme and Main Idea are the same thing.

False: They are NOT the same thing. 

200

What is the common theme of Tortoise and the Hare?

What is slow and steady wins the race?

200

True or False: The Main Idea is always stated in the first sentence of the text.

False: It can be anywhere in the text.

200

True or False: Topic is a sentence about what the text is about. 

False: A topic should be 1-3 words about the overall idea of the text. 

200

What is the theme of Tortoise and the Hare?

Slow and steady wins the race.

300

To find theme, what does it focus more on?

How the characters act/solve problems in the story.
300

What are some questions to ask to determine the Main Idea?

Answers may varies

  • What is the text mostly about?

  • How does the title connect to the topic of the text?

  • How do the keys words connect to the topic?

  • Do all supporting details support the main idea?

  • What does the author want me to understand about the topic?

300

What is one strategy for finding the topic of the text?

-Look for bolded/repetitive words

- Find the subject of the text. 


300

Theme or Main Idea: Hard works pays off

Theme

400

What are one of the 4 clues that the author finds 

Actions, Feelings, Sayings, and Thoughts

400

True or false: Finding supporting details helps determine the Main Idea. 

True

400

What is the topic of this text: Tom loves to play soccer with his friends after school. He practices his kicks, tries different moves, and enjoys the challenge of scoring goals. Sometimes, he even joins the local soccer team to play in games against other schools. He dreams of becoming a professional soccer player one day.

Topic: soccer

400

Theme or Main Idea: She knew she would have to work hard, but Jana had always wanted to win the spelling bee.

Main Idea

500

What is the theme of this passage: Lena had always been afraid of trying new things. One day, her teacher asked her to participate in the school play. At first, Lena was nervous and unsure of herself, but her friends encouraged her to give it a try. As the play went on, Lena found that she was having fun and even felt proud of herself for taking a chance. By the end of the performance, she realized that trying something new wasn’t as scary as she thought.

overcoming fear and the importance of trying new things

500

What is the main idea in the text: Many animals live in the forest, including birds, squirrels, and deer. Some animals, like beavers, build homes by cutting down trees and making dams in the water. Others, like foxes, make their homes in the ground or under rocks. Forests provide food, shelter, and safety for these animals. The trees and plants in the forest also help clean the air and provide oxygen for people and animals to breathe.

The author states that forests are important place for animals to live and find food, shelter, and safety.

500

What is the topic of the text: Every summer, Sarah goes to the beach with her family. They build sandcastles, swim in the ocean, and collect seashells. Sarah loves feeling the warm sand between her toes and watching the waves crash onto the shore. At the end of the day, the family enjoys a picnic and watches the sunset over the water.

Topic: The beach