Theme and Central Idea

The girls were coloring when Mike wanted to join along.  One girl moved the crayons closer to them.  The other girl proceeded to take the other crayon boxes.  Mike had no crayons to use.  One girl remarked, "These crayons are ours.  Find your own."

• Being greedy is never nice
• you should keep your own things to yourself
• friends should color together
• it's ok to be mean to others when you're coloring

Jim was stacking boxes at work.  There was a certain height he had to reach.  He stretched his body, but could not reach to place the final box at the top.  Bill happened to see Jim struggling and came to his rescue, since he was a foot taller.

• teamwork can accomplish a goal
• tall people are the best
• work hard to reach a goal
• people can be like boxes

Which characterization best reinforces the theme of the importance of being prepared?

• The hero spends a great deal of time training to defeat a villain

• The hero lives in a society where every part of your life is planned out in advance

• The hero fights a villain who can control minds

• The hero keeps dreaming about the problems he faces

The peregrine falcon is a beautiful wild bird. It is also one of the fastest. In 1978, the peregrine falcon was placed on the endangered species list. The main reason the peregrine falcon was dying out was the use of pesticides.

Which of the following is NOT a supporting detail? (Hint: In other words, which one is the main idea?)

• The peregrine falcon is one of the fastest wild birds

• It was placed on the endangered species list

• It was dying out because of pesticides

• The peregrine falcon is an amazing bird

Niagra Falls is one of the most beautiful sights in North America. It is on the Niagra River halfway between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. Niagra Falls is located on the American and Canadian border. The American Falls is 167 feet high. On the Canadian side, the Horseshoe Falls is 161 feet high.

Which of the following is NOT a supporting detail? (Hint: In other words, which one is the main idea?)

• The American Falls is 167 feet high

• The Horseshoe Falls is 161 feet high

• Niagra Falls is one of the most beautiful sights in North America

• It is located between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie

Sally went shopping after school on Friday and all day Saturday. She bought a lot of new outfits. On Sunday, her mother took her to the outlet mall so she could finish buying clothes for the new school year. She also bought school supplies, so she would be prepared for her classes. 
What is the main idea?

• Sally bought new clothes
• Sally shopped all weekend
• Sally got school supplies
• Sally's mom shopped on Sunday

Exercise is crucial to our lives. Doctors recommend we exercise at least two times a week. Exercise does not necessarily need to be done in the gym; it can consist of an outdoor walk or bike ride. It not only controls weight, but it combats many health conditions and diseases. Another added benefit to exercise is its mood boosting qualities.

• The importance of exercise

• Bike riding is good exercise

• Exercise can be done anywhere

What's that humming sound? Could it be hummingbird, the only bird capable of backward flight? Hummingbirds have many unique flight habits that distinguish them from other birds. Most birds flap their wings up and down to fly, but the hummingbird moves its wings forward and backward very rapidly in a figure eight pattern. This allows the hummingbird to hover in position, fly upside down, and move about very rapidly. And while other birds have to push off with their feet to begin flying, and work their ways up to their top speeds, the hummingbird can both start flying at maximum speed and stop flying instantaneously. After you've seen a hummingbird in flight, it's unlikely that you'll mistake them for another bird.

What is the central idea?

• Birds and hummingbirds are very different.

• Hummingbirds make a humming sound.

• Hummingbirds wings fly in figure eight patterns.

• The hummingbird flys in a totally unique and unusual way.

What is theme?

• It's the problem of the character

• It's the moral, life lesson or message

• It's about the narrator

• It's the lesson the author is teaching

What is the main difference between THEME and MAIN IDEA. 

• Theme is a universal lesson, and main idea is what a story is about.
• Theme is what a story is about, and main idea is the universal lesson it teaches.