Main Idea and Supporting Details

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.

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.
What is the main idea?

• They also learn how to control the ball so they can eventually score.
• Soccer players learn how to dribble.
• They learn how to work together as teammates.
• Soccer players learn many skills when playing soccer.

John and Matt want to be firemen.  They want to ride on the big fire truck.  John wants to climb ladders and rescue people from fires.  Matt wants to hold the big hose and spray water on the fires to put them out.
What is the main idea?

• John wants to climb a ladder.
• John and Matt want to be firemen
• Matt wants to hold a fire hose.
• They want to ride on the big fire truck.

Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Brown are bakers.  They work at a store called Bake Goods to Go.  Mrs. Jones works nights.  She bakes cakes, cookies, and pies.  Mrs. Brown works in the daytime.  She bakes bread and rolls.  Both Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Brown are very good bakers.
What is the main idea?

• Mrs. Jones bakes pies.
• Mrs. Brown bakes rolls.
• Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Brown are bakers
• They work at a store called Bake Goods to Go.

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.SL.3.2

Mary has a new pet.  Her pet is a baby kitten.  It is soft and cuddly.  The kitten likes to sleep a lot.  Mary put a soft blanket in a box for its bed.  Mary plays with her kitten when it is awake.  She never forgets to feed her kitten.
What is the main idea?

• The kitten sleeps a lot.
• Mary plays with her kitten
• Mary’s new pet is a kitten.
• Mary want a new pet.

The frog sat on the side of the pond.  He was very still.  His green color made him hard to see.  A bug flew near him.  His tongue zipped out, and he gobbled it up.  Then the frog was still again.  He waited for the next bug.
What is the main idea?

• Frogs are green .
• Frogs eat bugs.
• Frogs do not move.
• Frogs live in ponds.

a statement that tells what a passage is mostly about

• Topic
• Claim
• Main Idea
• Transitional sentence

The reader should determine the main idea BEFORE reading the passage.

• True
• False

more narrow ideas, evidence, details, and elaboration that support the main idea in a passage

• Main Idea
• Claim
• Transitional sentence
• Supporting details

On February 20, 1943. A farmer was working in his field in Paricutin, a Mexican village.  He heard rumbling noises from the ground but continued to work. Hours later, the earth began shaking. Steam started to rise from a crack in the ground. Afraid, the farmer ran home. He didn't know until later that his field was getting ready to give rise to a volcano. By evening, hot ash and stones were pouring out from a hole in the ground. They piled up around the opening, forming a hill.  Within a week, the volcano was almost 500 feet tall.  At the end of 2 months, it was over 1000 feet high. Lava from the volcano spread over the land and buried Paricutin. Luckily all the villagers had moved out and were not hurt. The volcano was named for the village it destroyed. It continued to erupt for 9 years. Then, in 1952 it stopped. Some scientists think it will not erupt again.
The first signs of the volcano were

• streams of lava
• rumbling noises in the ground
• piles of hot stones
• earth shaking