Main Idea & Supporting Details Class Activity

Read "The Loch Ness Monster." Which sentence identifies a central idea from the text?

• "The Loch Ness Monster has dinosaur-like features, such as a long neck."

• "The first reported Loch Ness Monster sighting occurred in 1933."

• "The legend of the Loch Ness Monster is an impossible mystery to solve."

• "Sightings of the Loch Ness Monster have been caught on video many times."

Select one way the author develops the central idea of the text.

(central idea -- "The legend of the Loch Ness Monster is an impossible mystery to solve.")

• by describing the reasons specific groups oppose a serious search for the Loch Ness Monster.

• by describing the Loch Ness Monster's physical characteristics.

• by describing the various attempts to capture footage of the Loch Ness Monster.

• by comparing the Loch Ness Monster to a prehistoric creature.

Select TWO details that best support the main idea "The Legend of the Loch Ness Monster is an impossible mystery to solve."

• "The Loch Ness Monster is an aquatic animal who is believed to live in Loch Ness Lake."

• "Environmental groups are afraid of harming the environment..."

• "It was first reported in the news in 1933."

• "...the government doesn't want to lose the tourists that Nessie attracts..."

Read "The Lost City of Atlantis." Which sentence identifies a central idea from the text?

• "This legendary city mysteriously vanished beneath the Atlantic Ocean in one day and one night."

• "Some think it is off the coast of Florida...A United States research team believes Atlantis was wiped out by a tsunami..."

• "Plato...described it as almost magical."

• "The lost city of Atlantis is one of the most puzzling mysteries."

Select one way the author develops the central idea of the text.

(central idea -- "The Lost City of Atlantis is one of the most puzzling mysteries.")

• by describing what the lost city of Atlantis looked liked.

• by including Plato's description of the lost city of Atlantis.

• by describing the many theories brought forward to explain the city's disappearance.

• by describing Atlantis as "a very peaceful place."

Select THREE details that best support the main idea "The lost city of Atlantis is one of the most puzzling mysteries."

• "There are many theories about where Atlantis could be."

• "...it had advanced technology and five rings of water surrounding it that were connected by tunnels."

• "Some think it is off the coast of Florida, others think it is near the Andes mountains in Bolivia."

• "A United States research team believes Atlantis was wiped out by a tsunami and is actually located in Spain."

Read "The Bermuda Triangle." Which sentence identifies a central idea from the text?

• "Planes have disappeared without explanation."

• "The Bermuda Triangle is a site where many unsolved mysteries have occurred."

• "In 1918 the U.S. Cyclops crew of 309 went missing from Barbados.

• "In 1955 a yacht was found that had survived 3 hurricanes - but was missing the entire crew."

Select one way the author develops the central idea of the text.

(central idea -- "The Bermuda Triangle is a site where many unsolved mysteries have occurred.")

• by describing famous stories of disappearances at the site of the Bermuda Triangle.

• by including the location of the Bermuda Triangle.

• by including the date of each disappearance in sequential order.

Select TWO details that best support the main idea "The Bermuda Triangle is a site where many unsolved mysteries have occurred."

• "Planes have disappeared without explanation. Ships have vanished into thin air."

• "In 1918 the U.S. Cyclops crew of 309 went missing after leaving Barbados."

• "Some people believe the disappearances are caused by UFOs, but most scientists believe that bad weather or human error have caused these perplexing incidents."

• "In the Atlantic Ocean, between Bermuda, Florida, and Puerto Rico, is the Bermuda Triangle."

How would you rate your understanding of central idea and supporting details in informational text after today's lesson & activities?

• 1 - I still don't understand.

• 2 - I'm getting there. I think I need a little more practice.

• 3 - I can define both terms and identify them in an informational text.

• 4 - I'm an expert and could teach others about the topic.