Main Idea and Details

 

What is the best question to ask yourself when you are trying to find the main idea?

• Who is the main character?

• What is the main event?

• What is one important detail?

• What point is the author trying to make?

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

Select the supporting detail that doesn't fit.

Topic Sentence: My cat is afraid of everything.

• He hides under the couch when you turn the microwave on.

• He sleeps all day long.

• He runs away when you sweep the floor.

• He jumps every time the doorbell rings.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RL.4.1

CCSS.RL.3.1

CCSS.RL.5.1

Supporting details are_______________________.

• the central idea

• more important information

• words, phrases, or sentences that tell more about the main idea

• unimportant information given

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RL.4.1

Why are key details important?

• They help me understand the main idea

• They are names of characters

• They are always written in bold print

• They are not important

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RL.4.1

CCSS.RL.3.1

Which best describes a summary?

• a really long detailed piece of writing

• the entire text told in your own words

• a dumb thing that teachers make you write

• the main ideas and important details of a text

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RI.4.9

CCSS.RI.5.9

CCSS.RI.6.2

What are you looking for when a question asks you to provide text evidence?

• a piece of writing like an article, poem, or story

• the main idea

• clues (proof) within the text 

Tags

CCSS.RI.2.9

CCSS.RI.4.8

CCSS.RI.5.8

CCSS.RL.4.5

CCSS.RL.6.1

 

A key detail is...

• A life lesson that the author is trying to communicate to us.

• An important point in the text that can help us find the main idea

• Reveals the main characters in the story.

• s the main point the author is trying to make about the topic.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RL.4.1

Find the Main Idea.

Being a clown isn't all fun and games. Rodeo clowns expose themselves to great danger every time they perform. When cowboys dismount or are bucked off of bulls at riding competitions, rodeo clowns jump in front of the bulls and motion wildly to get their attention. In this way rodeo clowns provide an alternate target, and in doing so protect the rider. So you see, sometimes clowning around can be serious business

• Rodeo clowns protect cowboys by putting themselves in danger.

• Being a clown isn't all fun and games.

• Rodeos are exciting.

• Clowns are good at riding bulls.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

Tomorrow is Jill's birthday. She is excited because she gets to pick where she will eat dinner. Will it be Mexican food at the Big Enchilada House? Or will it be fried chicken at the Chicken Shack, or a big cheeseburger at Al's Hamburger Palace. She just couldn't decide. Then there was always the Pizza Shop with that great pepperoni pizza. How would she ever decide? Maybe she would just flip a coin.

The Main Idea of this passage is:

• Jill has many restaurants to choose from for her birthday.

• Jill loves Mexican food.

• The Pizza Shop has the best pizza in town.

• Jill will choose a place by flipping a coin.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

Right now Jason was playing right field. He really wanted to play third base. Earlier this year, coach had put him in left field and second base in a game, but never at third base. Once in practice, coach let him play third base, but he kept missing ground balls. When he did stop one, he made a bad throw to first base. Maybe if he kept practicing, Jason would be good enough to play third base. That was his dream.

The Main Idea of this passage is:

• Jason was the best player on his team.

• Jason had trouble catching ground balls.

• Jason really wanted to play third base.

• Jason was too lazy to practice.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RL.4.2