Main Idea and Key Details

What does the MAIN IDEA of a story tell the reader?

• The lesson or moral 
• The conflict of the story
• What the story is about 
• The beginning, middle, or end

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.

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.

A bat can fly at night or even with its eyes closed.  But if you cover its ears, it can't fly very well.  Bats make sounds that people can't hear.  The bats find their way by listening to these sounds as they echo off things.  Bats even locate insects to eat by following the sounds that bounce off the bugs.  People use their eyes, but bats use their ears to know where they're going.  This paragraph mainly tells:

• how bats use sound
• what things bats often eat as food
• how bats fly toward people
• how people can hear the sounds of bats

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.

Key details give important information to support the main idea.

• True
• False

Read the following details and determine the main idea of the words.
-theater
-candy
-popcorn
-dark

• Playing at the park.
• Going to school.
• Playing a soccer game.
• Going to the movies.

Mount Rushmore is a huge carving in a stone cliff. The carving shows the faces of four U.S. presidents. They are George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. Mount Rushmore is in South Dakota. Each year many people visit this amazing sight.

What is a detail that tells about the main idea?

• how the four presidents were chosen

• why Mount Rushmore is in South Dakota

• which presidents are at Mount Rushmore

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.1

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

You can make all sorts of things with Legos. (Which detail doesn't belong?)

• You can very easily build a column.

• You can make a castle, a monkey, or a car.

• It hurts to step on Legos with bare feet.

• There are even kits available to make Star Wars ships.

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.1

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.1

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

You'll have many instruments to choose from in 6th grade band. (Which one doesn't belong?)

• You'll play for you school at Christmas and at year's end.

• Brass instruments include the trumpet, trombone, and tuba.

• Percussion instruments are played by striking or plucking.

• Flutes, clarinets, and saxophones are woodwinds.