Concept Review (Main Idea, Theme, Inference)/Discovery

The main idea of a story or article is

• always in the title.

• what the story is mostly about.

• the moral of the story.

• hidden in the text.

Jim and Tim are brothers. They look alike. They talk alike as well. Sometimes they even dress the same. People often mix the two up and think Tim is Jim, or Jim is Tim. The boys think it is funny.

The Main Idea Is:

• Jim is the older brother.

• Tim is bigger than Jim.

• Jim and Tim are alike in many ways.

• Jim and Tim don't like when people mix them up.

Today, like many other days, Daisy spent time in the kitchen. She baked a cake. She made her father's favorite cookies, too. When it came time to celebrate, Daisy's family always relied on her to bake the desserts. Daisy enjoyed providing home-made treats for her family. She also loved the way baked goods made her home smell warm and inviting.

What is the main idea?

• Daisy bakes every day.

• All girls enjoy baking.

• Today is Daisy's father's birthday.

• Daisy enjoys baking.

What question does a theme answer?

• What moral or lesson does this story teach me about life?

• What is the main character's opinion?

• How does a task get completed?

• Where does the story take place?

Which of the following is an example of THEME?

• Carry your laptops with two hands at all times.

• Cereal is the healthiest food you can eat.

• Bud helped Jerry through his fear of going to a new home.

• Life is short; make the most of it.

The best definition of theme is...

• The "big picture" message the author is sending.

• A word that summarizes the story.

• The character's main problem.

• the turning point of a story.

During a baseball game, Tanner tried to tag a player leaving first base. When the umpire called the player out, Tanner immediately informed the umpire that he in fact did not tag the runner. Two weeks later, the very same umpire was at another one of Tanner’s baseball games. Tanner was playing short stop and tagged a runner as they approached third base. When the umpire called the player safe, Tanner didn’t say a word, but the umpire noticed the surprised look on Tanner’s face. “Did you tag the runner?” she asked Tanner. When Tanner told her that he did tag the runner, the umpire changed her decision and called the player out. The coaches and parents were furious, but the umpire stood by her decision.

What is the theme?

• You should cheat to win.

• Always work hard.

• It pays to be honest.

• Teamwork is best.

One summer's day, a merry Grasshopper was dancing, singing and playing his violin with all his heart. He saw an Ant passing by working hard to store food for the winter. “Come and sing with me instead of working so hard,” said the Grasshopper “Let’s have fun together.” “I must store food for the winter,” said the Ant,“ and I advise you to do the same.” “Don’t worry about winter, it’s still very far away,” said the Grasshopper, laughing at him. But the Ant wouldn’t listen and continued to work. When winter came, the starving Grasshopper went to the Ant’s house and humbly begged for something to eat. “If you had listened to my advice in the summer you would not now be in need,” said the Ant. “I’m afraid you will have to go without supper,” and he closed the door.

What is the theme?

• share with your neighbor

• be respectful

• work before you play

• don't be greedy

Today, like many other days, Daisy spent time in the kitchen. She baked a cake. She made her father's favorite cookies, too. When it came time to celebrate, Daisy's family always relied on her to bake the desserts. Daisy enjoyed providing home-made treats for her family. She also loved the way baked goods made her home smell warm and inviting.

What can we INFER from the previous story?

• Daisy skipped school to bake.

• It is her graduation day.

• Daisy has a large family.

• It is Daisy's father's birthday.

An INFERENCE is:

• an educated guess based on background knowledge and clues from the text.

• a factual statement.

• another word for theme

• the same for every reader.