Topic or Main Idea?

Is this a topic or a main idea? "turtle shells"

• topic

• main idea

Is this a topic or a main idea? "Roller coasters move in different ways."

• topic

• main idea

Is this a topic or a main idea? "pumpkins"

• topic

• main idea

Is this a topic or a main idea? "There are many different ways to carve a pumpkin."

• topic

• main idea

Define topic:

• The moral of the story; the message.

• General subject of the text; one or two words

• Who or what the story is about; one sentence

Define main idea/central idea:

• The moral of the story; the message

• General subject of the text; one or two words

• Who or what the story or report is about; one sentence

Is there a hairy monster in the Pacific Northwest? Some people think so. They say it lives in the mountains. They call it "Bigfoot". No one knows for sure if Bigfoot is real. Hundreds of people say they have seen the monster, and many more claim to have seen its huge footprints. Reports state that Bigfoot looks like an ape. It doesn't run, but it walks very fast. Bigfoot is said to be a fast swimmer as well. Reports of the strange Bigfoot make the monster an interesting puzzle.

What is the main idea of the text?

• The Pacific Northwest is a nice place to visit.

• Bigfoot looks like an ape.

• Bigfoot is still a mystery.

• Bigfoot's physical features

Benjamin Franklin invented many things that made life easier in the late 1700's. He invented the lightning rod that saved many homes from fires. He also invented the Franklin stove. The stove could heat a room better than a fireplace and saved people a lot of fuel. He also invented a special kind of glasses called bifocals. This new kind of glasses helped people read better.

What is the main idea of the text?

• Benjamin Franklin invented the lightning rod.

• Benjamin Franklin invented the Franklin stove.

• Benjamin Franklin invented the bifocals.

• Benjamin Franklin was a great inventor.

Every day Dylan loves to play basketball outside. He practices bouncing the ball in the morning. After school, Dylan shoots baskets with his friends. He even plays basketball when it's raining!

What is the main idea of the text?

• Dylan enjoys the rain.

• Dylan enjoys playing basketball.

• Dylan shoots baskets.

• Dylan bounces the basketball.

IDENTIFY 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 bulls buck them off, 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. Of course, this is a very dangerous thing to do. So you see, sometimes clowning around can be serious business.

• Sometimes clowns can mean serious bussiness.

• Rodeo clowns protect cowboys by putting themselves in danger.

• Cowboys and Rodeo Clowns are constantly in danger.

• A Rodeo bull's attention is easily caught by Rodeo clowns.