ELA Main Idea and Details Lesson

What is the difference between main idea and details?

• Details are the most important part.

• The main idea gives support to details.

• The main idea is what the text is mostly about while details give examples and explain the main idea.

• A text rarely has a main idea but always has details

Which is a clue to help you determine the main idea?

• Author

• Middle sentence of a paragraph

• Glossary

• Headings

There are many fun things to do at the beach.  Swimming is one thing that can be done at the beach.  Snorkeling is another thing that can be enjoyed.  Playing beach volleyball can be a lot of fun.  It is also fun to look for shells.  Some people simply like to sunbathe.
What is the main idea?

• There are many fun things to do at the beach.
• It is also fun to look for shells.
• Some people simply like to sunbathe.
• Going to the beach to swim can be fun.

If the main idea is...
Trees help humans in many ways.
What could a supporting detail be?

• Trees need water to grow.
• Trees give us food.
• Trees are in danger.
• Birds live in trees.

What is the main idea?
  Ways to Get to School
There are many different ways to get to school. Some children walk to school. Other children take a bus. Some children ride their bikes. Some children are driven to school by their parents.

• Some children walk to school.
• Some people ride the bus.
• There are different ways to get to school.
• Some people like to sing.

What is the main idea?
Bears eat many types of food. They eat fish. They also eat berries. They even eat insects and insect nests!

• They eat fish.
• Bears eat many types of food.
• They also eat berries.
• They even eat insects and insect nests!

iPods
You can do many things with an iPod.  You can listen to your own music. iPods have lots of games to download.  You can even chat with your friends on an iPod.
What is a supporting detail that was used?

• iPods are fun.
• iPods are different than iPads.
• You can listen to your own music.
• iPods

What is the main idea?
Puppies need special care.  They need to be fed twice a day.  You have to watch them closely or they will chew on almost anything.  Puppies need to go outside many times a day to learn how to go to the bathroom outside.  

• They need to be fed twice a day.
• You have to watch them closely.
• Puppies need special care.
• Puppies need to go outside many times a day.

What is the text below mostly about?

Why should you exercise? When you exercise, you lower your chances of getting sick. It can make you feel calm and help you think clearly. By exercising, it can help you sleep at night. Exercising regularly can improve your life in several ways.

• People should enjoy exercising.

• Exercising can improve your life.

• Sleeping at night is important.

• You will be happier if you exercise.

Select ALL the clues that help locate the main idea and details of a text.

*There is MORE THAN ONE ANSWER!!

• Title

• Headings

• Repeated words

• Capital words