Main Idea

I can't wait until this weekend! We’re going to my grandparents’ house and my entire family will be there. I will spend most of my time playing games with my cousins. We always have such a good time together! The day goes by so fast, and by the end we are all exhausted... but we still don’t want to leave!
What is the main idea?

• Weekends are times to travel.
• The author enjoys spending time with her family.
• The author's grandparents live far away.
• The author is sad to leave her cousins.

Tags

CCSS.RI.2.2

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RI.4.2

Tom started to reel in his line. The fish tugged and pulled hard. Judging by the weight of his catch, this fish could feed his family for three days. Tom struggled to stay in the boat and not be pulled over the side. Finally his catch came into view. He had snagged a snapping turtle!
What is the main idea?

• Tom finds enough food for his family.
• Tom gets pulled out of his boat by a huge fish.
• Tom didn't catch anything.
• Tom catches a snapping turtle while fishing.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RI.2.2

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RI.4.2

Mary has a new pet.  Her pet is a baby kitten.  It is soft and cuddly.  The kitten likes to sleep a lot.  Mary put a soft blanket in a box for its bed.  Mary plays with her kitten when it is awake.  She never forgets to feed her kitten.
What is the main idea?

• The kitten sleeps a lot.
• Mary plays with her kitten
• Mary’s new pet is a kitten.
• Mary want a new pet.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RI.4.2

Soccer players learn many skills when playing soccer.  Soccer players learn how to dribble and pass the ball.  They also learn how to control the ball so they can eventually score.  Most importantly, soccer players learn how to work together with their teammates.
What is the main idea?

• They also learn how to control the ball so they can eventually score.
• Soccer players learn how to dribble.
• They learn how to work together as teammates.
• Soccer players learn many skills when playing soccer.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RI.4.2

What is the best question to ask yourself when you are trying to find the main idea?

• Who is the main character?
• What is the main event?
• What is one important detail?
• What point is the author trying to make?

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RI.2.2

CCSS.RI.2.1

CCSS.RI.2.6

CCSS.RL.2.1

Some people say that the White House has ghosts.  The most famous ghost is Abraham Lincoln.  He is often seen standing in his room looking out the window.  Even Eleanor Roosevelt said that she saw him.  There is a legend that old Abe walks back and forth all night before something terrible is about to happen.  This paragraph mainly tells:

• what Lincoln's ghost is like
• when Eleanor Roosevelt's ghost walked
• hwo many ghosts the White House has
• how ghosts show when something will happen

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RI.2.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RI.4.2

Someday we will all have robots that will be our personal servants. They will look and behave much like real humans. We will be able to talk to these mechanical helpers and they will be able to respond in kind! Amazingly, the robots of the future will be able to learn from experience. They will be smart, strong, and untiring workers whose only goal will be to make our lives easier.
What is this selection mainly about?

• Someday we will have robots that will be our personal servants.
• We will be able to talk to robots and they will be able to respond.
• You should give up if you are the Robots will look and behave much like real humans.
• Amazingly, the robots of the future will be able to learn from experience.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RI.2.2

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

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.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RI.2.2

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RI.4.2

Yesterday was my birthday. When I woke up, I noticed my brother Josh hung up a big sign that said,"Happy Birthday, Charles!" Mom made spaghetti for dinner.
It's my favorite food in the whole world. My friend Dave came over and handed me a wrapped gift. I wondered what it was. It was a new basketball! I had a great day.
What is the main idea of this paragraph?

• Josh got lots of gifts.
• Charles got a lot of gifts.
• Charles had a great birthday.
• Josh had a great birthday.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RI.2.2

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

Carson's older sister, Madison, is a very good student. She isn't satisfied to just get by in school. She is involved in extra activities at school, including the school's music program and the math club. She also always tries to answer the teacher's questions in class.
What is the main idea of the paragraph?

• Famous female journalists in Madison was born before Carson.
• Madison likes music. and math.
• How women were treated in the Madison is a very good student.
• Madison likes to show off.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RI.2.2

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RL.4.2