03/22 Main Idea

03/22 Main Idea

Objective

I will be able to describe the main idea of a story using supporting details.

C.H.A.M.P.S.

• C - 0 - unless called upon

• H - raise your hand

• A - notes, quiz

• M - at desk

• P - answering questions, taking notes

• S - 80% or better on the Study Island quiz

Expectations

Pay Attention

Take Notes

Respond when called on

No other games or websites while Mr. Brown is teaching

Do your best on the quiz

Main Idea

The main idea of a story or passage is what the passage is mostly about. It is the basic idea that the author wants the reader to understand.

Supporting Details

Sentences that help to support, or explain, the main idea are called supporting details.

Multiple Choice

What is the main idea of a story?

• What the main character had for lunch

• What the story is mostly about

• The setting of the story

• The narrator's middle name

Multiple Choice

What are supporting details?

• How the setting is described.

• When two characters talk to each other.

• Sentences that help to support, or explain, the main idea.

• The point of view of the story.

When you are looking for the main idea of a passage, ask yourself . . .

Why did the author write this passage? What is the passage mostly about?

When you think you know what the main idea is, ask yourself . . .

Do all of the sentences in the passage support this idea?

If the answer to this question is yes, then you have found the main idea! Let's try these steps to find the main idea in the story below:

Adapted from "Jefferson and the Library of Congress" at americaslibrary.gov

During the War of 1812, the British set fire to the U.S. Capitol. They also burned the 3,000 books in the Library of Congress. Thomas Jefferson helped create the library when he was president. He chose books. He hired the first two librarians. When the war started, he was retired. He had a library of books at his home. It was known as the finest private library in the country.

        

Adapted from "Jefferson and the Library of Congress" at americaslibrary.gov Continued

He offered to sell Congress his 6,487 books for $23,950. He hoped to build a new Library of Congress. Congress was excited to get the books for such a low price. His books were about many things. The library once had books about only money, history, and law. Jefferson's books were about art, science, and more. He also had books in French, Spanish, and Latin. He thought Congress should read about all subjects.

What is the main idea of this passage?

The main idea is that Thomas Jefferson helped rebuild the Library of Congress after the War of 1812. The other sentences in the passage support this idea. For example, the first paragraph explains why the Library of Congress needed rebuilding. The second paragraph explains how Jefferson helped rebuild the Library of Congress. He did this by selling the government his books for a low price.

Multiple Choice

How could you determine the main idea of the story?

• By using sentences that supported the main idea.

• The author called and told you.

• The setting of the story told you.

• The narrator was using first person point of view.