Main Idea and Supporting Details

What is the main idea?

• the least important idea

• the most important idea

• a prediction

• anyone's ideas

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

All About Polar Bears: Adaptations

Polar bears have adapted to their cold Arctic environment. Their fur has hollow hairs filled with air, which provides insulation so that they can live on the ice and swim in frigid water. Since polar bears spend more time in the sea than on land, they have webbed front paws to help them swim.

What is the main idea?

• Polar bears live in the Arctic.

• Polar bear fur is made up of hollow hairs.

• Polar bears have adapted to their environment.

• Polar bears have webbed front paws.

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

Rediscovering an Old Art

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.

What is the implied main idea of this passage?

• People can take classes to learn to quilt.

• Making quilts takes many hours.

• Quilting is an old-fashioned art.

• Quilting is becoming popular again.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

The Harlem Renaissance

In the 1920s and 1930s, African Americans in Harlem, created new forms of art, literature, and music. Writers like Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston published groundbreaking poems and novels. The music of Count Basie and Louis Armstrong was played on radios throughout the country.

What is the main idea of this passage?

• African Americans made key artistic contributions.

• The Harlem Renaissance was in the 20s and 30s.

• People enjoyed the music of Count Basie.

• Hughes was a famous poet.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

What are supporting details?

• italicized words

• paragraphs

• the central idea

• words, phrases, or sentences that tell more about the main idea

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.6.1

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.1

What is author's purpose?

• reason for writing

• author's purpose

• facts and statistics

• text examples

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.6

CCSS.RI.6.9

CCSS.RI.7.9

CCSS.RI.8.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

What is an implied main idea?

• when the main idea is directly stated in the text

• when the main idea is not directly stated but clues are given in the title, subheadings, and the first and last sentences

• when the author identifies the main idea

• when readers can't find the main idea

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

Cause of Colds

The common cold is caused by a virus, which travels through the air into the nose. There are more than 100 types of cold viruses! The most common is the rhinovirus.

Which sentence from this passage reflects the main idea?

• There are more than 100 types of cold viruses!

• The common cold is caused by a virus, which travels through the air into the nose.

• The most common is the rhinovirus.

• Everyone gets colds.

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

Title: Nutrition and You

Subheading: Why You Need Protein

What might be the main idea of a paragraph under this title and subheading?

• It is important to eat calcium to have strong bones.

• Eating sugary foods gives you an energy rush—but doesn't provide any nutrition for your body.

• Some sources of protein are meat, fish, eggs, beans, and dairy products.

• Protein is necessary for keeping your body healthy.

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

Ten years ago, scientists thought that the weather on Mars was calm and peaceful. However, recent studies have shown otherwise. "Martian dust devils" are storms of swirling dust that can rise up to five miles in the air. Strong winds move large sand dunes, and enormous cyclones race across the planet.

What is the implied main idea of this passage?

• Stormy weather can be found on Mars.

• There are sand dunes on Mars.

• A Martian dust storm can rise up to five miles in the air.

• The weather on Mars is calm and peaceful.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2