Central Idea

What are the three questions to ask yourself to find central idea? Click all that apply.

• What is the topic?

• Is the topic important?

• Details about the topic?

• What did I learn about the topic?

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

The central idea, or main idea, is the same thing as what two things:

• Evidence

• Theme

• Hook

• Claim

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RI.6.2

John was nervous to try his new pair of roller skates because he didn't think he had good balance. Everyday he put them on and tried to stand up but would get too scared and would take them off. Then, one day, his mom saw and came over to give him a hand to hold while he balanced. Timidly, he stood up holding her hand and realized that it wasn't as scary as he thought.

What is the main idea?

• Being scared is dumb.

• With other people's support we can do things we didn't think we could do.

• Never take risks.

• Don't always assume you know your own limitations.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

John was nervous to try his new pair of roller skates because he didn't think he had good balance. Everyday he put them on and tried to stand up but would get too scared and would take them off. Then, one day, his mom saw and came over to give him a hand to hold while he balanced. Timidly, he stood up holding her hand and realized that it wasn't as scary as he thought.

What is the topic of the passage?

• Birthday presents

• Rollerskating

• Mothers

• Balance

John was nervous to try his new pair of roller skates because he didn't think he had good balance. Everyday he put them on and tried to stand up but would get too scared and would take them off. Then, one day, his mom saw and came over to give him a hand to hold while he balanced. Timidly, he stood up holding her hand and realized that it wasn't as scary as he thought.

Theme: Sometimes you have to learn to let others help you.

Write ONE three word quote from the passage that supports the theme above.

The rain began early in the morning. It fell as hard drops,

morning one after another. The sky was full of dark purple clouds. Thunder began as a soft rumble and became louder and louder. Lightning crashed every few minutes, making the sky a brilliant white.

What is the main idea?

• The farm needed rain.

• Thunder hurts people's ears.

• Lightning is bright.

• The storm was very strong.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

Spots was a large grey and white cat.

Spots lived in a barn on a farm. Spots liked living in the barn. It was warm in the winter and cool in the summer. There were many mice for Spots to chase. Best of all, Spots had a soft place to sleep in the corner of the barn.

What is the main idea?

• The barn was dirty.

• Spots was grey and white.

• Spots slept outside when it rained.

• The barn was a good place for Spots to live.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

Meerkats in Africa live in large groups of 20 to 50 members. The group works together to survive. All members of the group care for the baby meerkats. They take turns babysitting and will protect the young ones from danger. Members of the group also take turns watching out for threats from other animals while the group finds food. If any dangerous animal comes towards the group, the meerkat will bark a warning.

What is the main idea?

• Meercats live in groups to help each other.

• Meercats live in groups so they are not lonely.

• Meercats are independent.

• Meercats hate babies.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

Dolphins are mammals that live in the ocean. Mammals are different than fish, reptiles or birds. As a mammal, dolphins breathe oxygen, even though they live in water. Because they are mammals, a dolphin mother gives birth to a live baby, unlike reptiles and birds who lay eggs. A dolphin mother also feeds her baby milk like other mammals.

What is the main idea?

• Dolphins are different than other animals.

• Dolphins are mammals.

• Dolphins prefer the water.

• Dolphins feed their babies milk.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

What are the details in a text?

• Details support the central idea in a text

• Central idea supports the details in a text

• Details are not important in a text

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.4.1

CCSS.RL.5.1