Identify a main topic or central idea and retell 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

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.

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.

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.

Key details give important information to support the main idea.

• True

• False