Central Idea -Archaeology

Learning Target

Today, we are learning how to determine the
central idea of a text and how the supporting
details develop the central idea.

● I can identify the central idea.
● I can determine details that support the

central idea.

● I can determine how the supporting details

develop the central idea.

​

​Central Idea

A central idea is the author's main point or message about a topic or idea.

● A text can have one or more central ideas.

Each body paragraph—the paragraphs between the introduction

The text, as a whole, often has one overarching central idea.

I can define the central or main idea.

Multiple Choice

A central idea is the same thing as a topic.

• True

• False

Multiple Select

A central idea is...

• specific

• what a text is mostly about

• related to a topic

• the most important character

Open Ended

What is the central idea of the passage?

Multiple Choice

In some instances, finding the central idea requires you to make inferences using the details given. What is the central idea of this passage?

These days, learning to quilt is not often passed down from one generation to the next. Some people, though, have taken a new interest in quilting. Many learn to quilt through books and classes. People are discovering what those from past generations knew—that quilting can be difficult but worth the effort.

• Quilting is an old-fashioned art.

• Quilting is becoming popular again.

• Making quilts takes many hours.

• People can take classes to learn to quilt.

Multiple Choice

Determine the central idea of the following passage

When Heidi Transformed Televised Football

On November 17, 1968, football fans across the United States sat glued to their televisions. A close game between two top teams—the New York Jets and the Oakland Raiders—was being broadcast. When the Jets pulled ahead with only fifty seconds remaining, viewers went wild. But then, just as the Raiders were bringing the ball across midfield, the game disappeared from the screen! In its place, a previously scheduled children's movie, Heidi, started playing. Callers flooded the TV network's phone lines, but it was too late. The Raiders scored two touchdowns in the very final moments—touchdowns that were unseen by all but West Coast viewers. As a result of the interrupted event, dubbed "the Heidi game," television networks began delaying their regularly scheduled programs until football games had ended.

• After Heidi interrupted a crucial moment during a televised football game, networks began to delay regularly schedule shows until football games were over.

• After Heidi interrupted a crucial moment during a televised football game, the TV network received numerous calls from angry viewers who were unable to watch the final moments of the game.

​

​Supporting Details

​• Facts, examples, reasons, or descriptions that provide more information about the central idea

• Usually quotes copied from the text

• Prove your central idea is true

Multiple Choice

Supporting details are...

• pieces of evidence that are random

• pieces of evidence that SUPPORT the main idea

Multiple Choice

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

• Robot sumo uses robots instead of humans.

• Watching robot sumo is boring.

• Robots sumo contests are better than human sumo contests.

What is the
central idea?

Each paragraph has a main idea with supporting details.

All paragraphs support the central idea.

I can define the central or main idea.

524

Archaeology’s Tech Revolution Since Indiana
Jones
Informational Text by Jeremy Hsu

Look at the title, headings, and images in this article. What do you predict it will be
about? Discuss your prediction with the class.

v

Page 524

Indiana Jones

Technical Text AKA Informational Text

Authors of informational or technical texts often present one central idea or make one central claim . They can’t however, just make their claim or present their idea. They must provide relevant examples and evidence to support those claims.

As you read, note the central ideas the author presents and the evidence and relevant examples he provides to support those ideas.

Also, think about the organizational design

the author uses to present the thesis and supporting information. Use a chart like the one below to help you analyze the structure and characteristics of technical texts as they appear in Jeremy Hsu’s article.

How do we find the central idea?

A central idea is the author's main point or message about a topic or

idea.

Each body paragraph—the paragraphs between the introduction

and the conclusion—often has a main idea.

The text, as a whole, often has one overarching central idea.

Vocabulary

innovation

GPS

artifact

infrared

forensic analysis

( ĭn´ frə-rĕd) adj. pertaining to electromagnetic radiation having wavelengths greater than those of visible light and shorter than those of microwaves.

n. Global Positioning System, a utility that provides positioning, navigation, and timing services.

( ĭn-ə-vā´shən) n. something newly introduced.

foren(fə-rĕn´ sĭk ə-năl´ ĭ-sĭs) n. the scientific collection and analysis of physical evidence in criminal cases.

​an object made by a human being, typically an item of cultural or historical interest.

Multiple Choice

What is an innovation?

• An innovation is a traditional method that remains unchanged.
• An innovation is a process that only involves minor adjustments to old ideas.
• An innovation is a new idea, method, or product that improves or transforms existing solutions.
• An innovation is a copy of an existing product without any modifications.

Multiple Choice

What is infrared?

• Infrared is a type of sound wave.
• Infrared is visible light with shorter wavelengths.
• Infrared is a form of chemical energy.
• Infrared is a type of electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths longer than visible light.

Multiple Choice

What is GPS?

• Geographic Positioning System (GPS) is used for internet browsing.
• Global Positioning Sensor (GPS) is a weather monitoring system.
• Global Positioning System (GPS) is a type of mobile phone service.
• Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based navigation system.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is an example of an ancient artifact?

• A modern sculpture from a gallery.
• A digital photograph of a landscape.
• A contemporary painting by a living artist.
• A piece of pottery from an ancient civilization.

Multiple Choice

What is a forensic analysis?

• Forensic analysis is a method of cooking food.
• Forensic analysis is the scientific examination of evidence for legal purposes.
• Forensic analysis is the study of ancient artifacts.
• Forensic analysis is a type of psychological therapy.

​

Jeremy Hsu has been working as a science and technology journalist since 2008, and has written on subjects as diverse as supercomputing and wearable electronics. He contributes to a variety of publications, including Scientific American, Discover, and Popular Science. In this article, Hsu uses Indiana Jones, the iconic archaeologist of a series of popular movies, to introduce how the field of archaeology has changed with advancements in technology.