Main Idea

Main Idea:
Frogs are amazing jumpers.

What supporting detail would go with this main idea?

• Frogs use their tongue to catch flies.
• A tadpole is the name of a young frog.
• Frogs have long, powerful legs which help them leaplong distances.
• The Fire-belly Toad has slightly warty skin.

Main Idea:
Chocolate is a very popular gift to give during the holidays.

What supporting detail would go with this main idea?

• On Valentine’s Day, heart shaped boxes filled with chocolate are given to loved ones.
• Hot chocolate is made with warm chocolate and milk.
• Most of the world’s cocoa beans come from Africa.
• Chocolate is a popular flavor of ice cream.

Main Idea:
Octopuses have many different ways to hide themselves from predators.

What supporting detail would go with this main idea?

• Octopuses have two eyes and four pairs of arms.
• Octopuses like to live in coral reefs.
• Octopuses use camouflage to disguise themselves.
• Octopuses move about by crawling or swimming.

Main Idea:
 Archaeologists study the past through artifacts that they discover.

What supporting detail would go with this main idea?

• Archaeologists work long hard hours in the sun.
• The discovery of stone tools gave archaeologists cluesabout how people lived in the past.
• Archaeologists dig in places around the world.
• Indiana Jones was an archaeologist.

Main Idea:
There are many famous skateboarders in the United States.

What supporting detail would NOT go with this main idea?

• Tony Hawk became famous for his half pipe tricks.
• Shaun White is a professional skateboarder and snowboarder.
• With his own television show, Ryan Sheckler is the youngest skateboarder on the pro-circuit.
• The trick called the “Ollie” was created in the 1970’s.

Main Idea:
To scuba dive you need a lot of special equipment.

What supporting detail would NOT go with this main idea?

• Scuba divers prefer the waters of the Caribbean.
• A mask is used to help the scuba diver see things underwater.
• A scuba diver uses an oxygen tank to breathe under water.
• Flippers make swimming in the ocean much easier.

Main Idea:
Egypt is home to the legendary pyramids and their history.

What supporting detail would NOT go with this main idea?

• The Great Pyramids of Giza in Egypt are one of the Seven Ancient Wonders.
• A pyramid is a building with a triangular shape.
• Egyptians made pyramids famous by burying their royalty inside of them.
• People travel to Egypt to see its 138 historic pyramids.

Main Idea:
Earthquakes can cause a lot of destruction.

What supporting detail would NOT go with this main idea?

• Earthquakes can also be known as quakes, tremors, or temblors.
• When a building is not made earthquake safe, it can crumble
  to the ground.
• Many bridges are demolished when they wobble in a quake.
• Earthquakes can create tsunamis, which
  can flood cities.

What might be the main idea of a book titled "Eat Your Fruits and Vegetables?"

• Tomatoes are good for you.
• Strawberries have seeds on the outside.
• It's important to eat vegetables and fruit.
• Spinach is good for your bones.

A SUPPORTING detail explains the main idea in a paragraph. What does SUPPORT mean?

• to search and find
• to hold up and help
• to end
• to write