Main Idea and Central Message

What is main idea?

• A main idea is what the text is mostly about.  A main idea must be a complete sentence. 

• A main idea is the lesson that a character learns.

• A main idea is a fact that supports a detail.

• A main idea is who the characters are.

___________________ is a fact that supports the main idea.

What is a moral of a story?

• who the characters are

• what the story is all about

• what lesson the character learns

• where the story takes place

If the main idea of the book is a teacher has many responsibilities, which details could be added to that book? There could be more than one answer.

• A teacher has to attend many meetings to plan for teaching.

• A teacher is required to buy their students gifts.

• A teacher has to be abler to draw very well.

• A teacher is responsible for making sure their students are safe and learning.

Have you ever taken a close look at a beehive? Well, not too close or you might get stung. Beehives are designed perfectly. The natural pattern in beehives is so perfect that it seems to be a computer designed. The hives are made up of layers and layers of cells. Each cell has six perfectly equal sides or hexagons. Why would bees build six-sided cells, instead of round, or box shaped ones? The reason is that the bee is a genius at geometry and architecture. Six-sided cells use up every bit of piece and allow bees to get the maximum area for storing honey. Also, hexagons use the least honeycomb wax because all six sides are identical in length. The bees don't waste space, material, or effort. Aren't they smart insects?

What is the main idea of this passage?

• Every cell in the beehive has six sides.

• Every cell in the beehive has a different shape.

• Beehives are disorganized.

• Beehives are designed perfectly.

Have you ever taken a close look at a beehive? Well, not too close or you might get stung. Beehives are designed perfectly. The natural pattern in beehives is so perfect that it seems to be a computer designed. The hives are made up of layers and layers of cells. Each cell has six perfectly equal sides or hexagons. Why would bees build six-sided cells, instead of round, or box shaped ones? The reason is that the bee is a genius at geometry and architecture. Six-sided cells use up every bit of piece and allow bees to get the maximum area for storing honey. Also, hexagons use the least honeycomb wax because all six sides are identical in length. The bees don't waste space, material, or effort. Aren't they smart insects?

Which sentence supports the main idea that beehives are designed perfectly?

• Well, not too close or you might get stung.

• Each cell has six perfectly equal sides or hexagons.

• The hives are made up of layers and layers of cells.

• Have you ever taken a close look at a beehive?

A thirsty crow found a pitcher with just a little water in the bottom. His long, slender beak could just touch the water, but he could not get a drink. Looking around, the crow notices many small stones lying nearby. Patiently, he picked up the stones one by one, and filled the pitcher until the water was high enough for him to get a drink.

What is the moral of this fable?

• Be brave and things can happen.

• He who hestitates is lost.

• Look before you leap.

• If you keep trying and being patient, you can figure it out.

A thirsty crow found a pitcher with just a little water in the bottom. His long, slender beak could just touch the water, but he could not get a drink. Looking around, the crow notices many small stones lying nearby. Patiently, he picked up the stones one by one, and filled the pitcher until the water was high enough for him to get a drink.

Which sentence from the passage above BEST supports the moral of the story?

• "Patiently, he picked up the stones one by one, and filled the pitcher until the water was high enough for him to get a drink."

• "A thirsty cow found a pitcher with just a little water in the bottom."

• "Looking around, the crow notices many small stones lying nearby."

• "His long, slender beak could just touch the water, but he could not get a drink."

The boy who guarded the sheep for the village was often bored and lonely. Once or twice. he called out, "wolf!" just so the villagers would come out into the field to help him. He laughed to see them so excited. But one day, a wolf came to where the sheep were grazing. The boy called loudly, "wolf! wolf!" but no one from the village came to help him.

Which moral best completes the story?

• Liars are not believed, even when they tell the truth.

• Birds of a feather flock together.

• To be well known is not always to be admired.

• Running away never solves the problem.