Main Idea and Supporting Details

​Reading skills

main idea and supporting details​

​What do you think the different between main idea and supporting details?

Multiple Choice

What is non-fiction?

• tall tales

• Historical Fiction

• realistic fiction

• informational text

Multiple Choice

There are many fun things to do at the beach. Swimming is one thing that can be done at the beach. Snorkeling is another thing that can be enjoyed. Playing beach volleyball can be a lot of fun. It is also fun to look for shells. Some people simply like to sunbathe.

What is the main idea?

• There are many fun things to do at the beach.

• It is also fun to look for shells.

• Some people simply like to sunbathe.

• Going to the beach to swim can be fun.

Multiple Choice

Jenny visited her grandmother in the hospital.  She saw how kind and helpful the nurses were to her grandmother.  Now she wants to be a nurse when she grows up.  She wants to help sick people get well. 
What is the main idea?

• Jenny got sick.
• Jenny wants to be a nurse.
• Her grandmother was in the hospital.
• Jenny was glad the nurses were being kind to her grandmother.

Multiple Choice

Jake's family went on a camping trip. They went to a park by the ocean. They rode their bikes around the park and cooked their food over a fire outside. They saw some deer. They came home Sunday afternoon. 
What is the main idea? 

• They saw some deer
• Jake's family likes to camp
• Jake's family went on a camping trip
• They cooked their food outside

Multiple Choice

Keep your teeth happy. Brush your teeth twice a day. Make sure you floss your teeth every time you brush and after you eat. Avoid eating anything that sticks to your teeth, like candy and syrup. Eat vegetables and fruits that don't cause cavities. 
What is the main idea?

• Keep your teeth happy
• Brush your teeth twice a day
• Avoid eating candy and syrup
• Eat more vegetables

Multiple Choice

The Statue of Liberty is visited by thousands of people every year. The Statue of Liberty is a 151 foot tall statue of a woman holding a book and a torch. It was a gift of friendship from the people of France. It has become the universal symbol for freedom.
Which of the following is NOT a supporting detail? 

• The Statue of Liberty is an amazing statue
• The Statue of Liberty is 151 feet tall
• Thousands of people visit the Statues of Liberty each year
• It was a gift of friendship from France

Match

Match the following

• Topic

• Main Idea

• Conclusion

• Analogy

• Subject

the person or thing the passage is about--usually one or two words

the central or most important idea about a topic that the writer wants to communicate to readers.

an ending or wrap-up for your writing

A similarity or comparison between two different things or the relationship between them.

The topic of a text. What the text is about.

• the person or thing the passage is about--usually one or two words

• the central or most important idea about a topic that the writer wants to communicate to readers.

• an ending or wrap-up for your writing

• A similarity or comparison between two different things or the relationship between them.

• The topic of a text. What the text is about.

​what is main idea and supporting details

​

Everything we read has a main idea, or theme, and details.

The main idea is what the writing is mostly about. Details in the writing support the main idea.

​

Some text here about the topic of discussion

Multiple Choice

A main idea is...

• OPINION BASED evidence

• The main point or most important idea that the writer is communicating

• The key points, examples, evidence to support or elaborate on the main idea.

• A summary of a text  that only includes factual information.

Multiple Choice

Supporting Details are...

• OPINION BASED evidence

• The main point or most important idea that the writer is communicating

• The key points, examples, evidence to support or elaborate on the main idea.

• A summary of a text  that only includes factual information.

Multiple Choice

The main idea does not need supporting details.

• True
• False

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A paragraph also tells one main idea. Read the following paragraph. Underline the details, and answer the questions that follow.

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The bullfrog is the largest frog in North America. It can grow to 18 inches long and weigh over one pound. But, as grand as the bullfrog may seem, the African giant frog is the king of frogs. This huge amphibian can grow as long as 26 inches. Even more impressive, it can tip the scales at over 10 pounds. Try picking up a 10-pound bowling ball next time you go to a bowling alley.

Bowling balls can weigh as much as 16 pounds. If there were a crown for the king of frogs, the African giant frog would surely be wearing it.

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3. What is the paragraph mostly about?___________________________________

4. Cross out the sentence that does not support the main idea.

Subject | Subject

Some text here about the topic of discussion

​write two details that support the main idea below

​Alexander works hard to learn to play different instruments.

Some text here about the topic of discussion

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Multiple Choice

The ice cream cone was invented in 1904. It all started at the St. Louis World's fair when an ice cream vendor ran out of dishes for his ice cream. A man named Ernest Hamwi was selling waffles in the booth next to him. He helped his neighbor out by making cone-shaped waffles to hold the ice cream. The rest is history.

What is the main idea?

• Ernest Hamwi is important to history.

• Ice cream is a very popular treat.

• The ice cream cone was invented in 1904.

• The World Fair in St. Louis ran out of ice cream.

Multiple Choice

4. Which of the following is a supporting detail of this paragraph?
Robots are being used in sumo wrestling contests. Sumo wrestling is a sport that started in Japan. It takes place in a ring. Two players try to score points by holding each other down or pushing each other out of the ring. Robot sumo uses robots instead of humans. The robot that scores the most points wins.

• Robots are being used in sumo wrestling contests
• Robots sumo contests are better than human sumo contests.
• Robot sumo uses robots instead of humans.
• Watching robot sumo is boring.

Multiple Choice

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. If you still feel a little sad, act happy. It works like magic to make you feel better!

What is the main idea?

• Sometimes people feel sad

• You should do good things for others

• We're not always happy.

• There are many ways to make yourself feel better.

Multiple Choice

What is one supporting details from the text?
Mother gorillas do a lot for their babies. They nurse their babies. They protect them from danger. And they teach the tiny gorillas how to get along with other gorillas.

• Mother gorillas do a lot for their babies.
• They teach the tiny gorillas how to get along with other gorillas.
• Baby gorillas need their mothers a lot.
• Mother gorillas prefer to keep their babies safe.