Distinguishing Topic from Main Idea

Mr. Ornelas teaches fourth graders how to determine the topic and main idea in a text. He explains that the topic is what the text is mostly about, while the main idea is what the author wants the reader to learn about the topic. Using the example of the invention of potato chips, he demonstrates how to identify repeating words to find the topic and how to use clues to determine the main idea. The lesson concludes with a discussion on differentiating between the topic and the main idea.

What is the main focus of this lesson?

• Understanding how to determine the topic and main idea

• Learning about the history of potato chips

• Writing a short story

• Learning about different types of texts

What is a topic in a text?

• The main character in a story

• The setting of a story

• What the text is mostly about

• The conclusion of a text

Which of the following can help you identify the topic of a text?

• All of the above

• Looking for repeating words and phrases

• Reading the first sentence

• Looking at the title

What was the topic of the paragraph about potato chips?

• Potato chips

• George Crum

• French fries

• Crispy food

Why did George Crum keep slicing potatoes thinner and thinner?

• A customer kept sending his French fries back

• He was experimenting with different cooking methods

• He wanted to make a healthier snack

• He wanted to create a new recipe

What is the main idea of the paragraph about potato chips?

• George Crum was a famous chef

• Potato chips are crispy and thin

• Potato chips were invented by accident

• French fries are a popular food

Where can the main idea sometimes be found in a text?

• In the middle of the text

• In the last sentence

• In the first sentence

• In the title

Which of the following is NOT a detail supporting the main idea of the potato chip paragraph?

• Crispy potato chips were created

• George Crum was trying to please a customer

• The customer wanted thinner French fries

• Potato chips were invented accidentally

What should you do if the main idea is not directly stated in the text?

• Ignore it

• Guess based on the title

• Reread the text and use clues

• Ask someone else

How is the topic different from the main idea?

• The topic is the first sentence, and the main idea is the last sentence

• The topic is the title, and the main idea is the conclusion

• The topic is what the text is mostly about, and the main idea is what the author wants you to learn about the topic

• The topic is a detail, and the main idea is the whole text