Milestone Marker: Central Idea

The central idea of nonfiction text is __________________

• one word.

• what the text is mostly about.

• the meaning of an unknown word.

The CENTRAL IDEA of a nonfiction text needs to always be supported with...

• The reader's opinion

• Author's who are reliable

• Supporting Details

• Concluding sentences

What is a topic?

• The writer's opinion about the text.

• The supporting detail.

• The retelling of a story.

• The general subject of a text.

What is another word for SUPPORTING DETAILS used to

identify the CENTRAL IDEA of a text?

• Conflict

• Topic

• Text Evidence

• Text Features

Microchips provide the power for wristwatches. They are also the brains in our computers, and they control robots. These chips are used in video games and space shuttles. They make our cameras, radios, and televisions small and light. What is the story mainly about?

• How computers work.

• How microchips are used.

• Why televisions are so small.

What is the central idea?

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.

• Soccer players learn many skills when playing soccer.

• Soccer players learn how to control the ball so they can score.

• Soccer players learn how to dribble.

If you are feeling sad, you can make yourself feel better by doing a few simple things. You can take a walk (or get another form of exercise), you can talk to a friend, or you can write down your feelings. Writing down the good things in your life will help too. Doing something good for someone else will also help you feel better. If you still feel a little sad, act happy. It works like magic to make you feel better!

What is the main idea?

Sometimes people feel sad

You should do good things for others

We're not always happy.

There are many ways to make yourself feel better.

• You should do good things for others.

• We are not always happy.

• Sometimes people feel sad.

• There are many ways to make yourself feel better.

Recycling things like paper, plastic, and metal is beneficial for our environment by cutting down on trash. Yet many people throw away their water bottles, shipping boxes, and cans instead of recycling them. An increased focus on getting more people to recycle is leading people to develop creative ways to make it easier for Americans. One way is to put bright colored recycling containers in more places. Seeing more recycling bins helps people remember to use them. Another idea that has been developed is reverse vending machines. These machines are the opposite of traditional vending machines since you give it a recyclable good and it gives you money or reward in return. Hopefully more places will introduce new and unique ways to get people to start recycling. What is the central idea of the passage?

• People need to start recycling in order to protect our environment.

• The amount of people who recycle will increase if innovative methods are implemented.

• Reverse vending machines that gives money for recyclable goods is a creative recycling solution.

• Bright colored collection bins will help encourage people to protect the environment.

What are supporting details?

• Details from the text that develop the main idea

• Useless

• Details from the text that tell you how the character is feeling

• Details about the text that tell you about the setting

Select the supporting detail that doesn't fit.

Main Idea: Reading class is really interesting.

• It's my least favorite class.

• Sometimes we do dramatic readings of the text that are super engaging. 

• Our teacher gives us new ways to look at things.

• We learn interesting facts from the things we read.