Main Idea and Supporting Details

What is the main idea?

• Where the story takes place

• What the character is thinking

• The big idea of the text

• What a dog eats

Tags

TEKS.ELA.3.9D.I

TEKS.ELA.4.9D.I

TEKS.ELA.5.9D.I

TEKS.ELA.PSW.5B

TEKS.ELA.RI.4D

What are supporting details?

• Useless

• Details from the text that tell you how the character is feeling

• Details about the text that tell you about the setting

• Details from the text that develop the main idea

Tags

TEKS.ELA.6.5G

TEKS.ELA.7.5G

TEKS.ELA.8.5G

TEKS.ELA.E2.7D.I

TEKS.ELA.E4.7D.I

Yesterday was my birthday. When I woke up, I noticed my brother Josh hung up a big sign that said,"Happy Birthday, Charles!" Mom made spaghetti for dinner.

It's my favorite food in the whole world. My friend Dave came over and handed me a wrapped gift. I wondered what it was. It was a new basketball! I had a great day.

What is the main idea of this paragraph?

• Josh got lots of gifts.

• Charles got lots of gifts.

• Charles had a great birthday.

• Josh had a great birthday.

Tags

TEKS.ELA.3.9D.I

TEKS.ELA.4.9D.I

TEKS.ELA.5.9D.I

TEKS.ELA.PSW.5B

TEKS.ELA.RI.4D

Why is it important to locate a main idea? How will it help you?

• Locating the main idea will help you comprehend a text better.
• It will help you learn more about a subject.
• It does not really help you much.
• None of the answers fit the question.

Tags

TEKS.ELA.3.9D.I

TEKS.ELA.4.9D.I

TEKS.ELA.5.9D.I

TEKS.ELA.PSW.5B

TEKS.ELA.RI.4D

Weather reporters have to give out a lot of information. That's why they use pictures. The pictures help them tell us about the weather without using so many words. Weather reporters need to know where the cold air is. They need to know where the warm air is. They have to know where it is raining and what types of clouds are in the area. Their reports need to be correct, but they also need to be short. The pictures help weather reporters get the information out in a fast way.
Which sentence best describes the main idea of the paragraph?

• Weather reporters need to know where the cold air is
• Pictures help weather reporters get information out in a fast way
• Their reports need to be correct, but they also need to be short
• They have to know where it is raining and what types of clouds are in the area

Tags

TEKS.ELA.3.9D.I

TEKS.ELA.4.9D.I

TEKS.ELA.5.9D.I

TEKS.ELA.PSW.5B

TEKS.ELA.RI.4D

Matilda Excerpt
By Roald Dahl
By the time she was three, Matilda had taught herself to read by studying newspapers and magazines that lay around the house. At the age of four, she could read fast and well and she naturally began hankering after books. The only book in the whole of this enlightened household was something called Easy Cooking belonging to her mother, and when she had read this from cover to cover and had learnt all the recipes by heart, she decided she wanted something more interesting. "Daddy," she said, "do you think you could buy me a book?" "A book,” he said. "Whatd' you want a flaming book for?" "To read, Daddy." "What's wrong with the telly, for heaven's sake? We've got a lovely telly with a twelve-inch screen and now you come asking for a book! You're getting spoiled, my girl!"
What is the main idea?

• Matilda can read fast.
• Matilda is eager to learn and read more.
• Matilda is interested in cookbooks.
• Matilda’s dad won’t buy her a new book.

Tags

TEKS.ELA.3.9D.I

TEKS.ELA.4.9D.I

TEKS.ELA.5.9D.I

TEKS.ELA.PSW.5B

TEKS.ELA.RI.4D

Some people say that the White House has ghosts.  The most famous ghost is Abraham Lincoln.  He is often seen standing in his room looking out the window.  Even Eleanor Roosevelt said that she saw him.  There is a legend that old Abe walks back and forth all night before something terrible is about to happen.  This paragraph mainly tells:

• what Lincoln's ghost is like
• when Eleanor Roosevelt's ghost walked
• hwo many ghosts the White House has
• how ghosts show when something will happen

Tags

TEKS.ELA.3.9D.I

TEKS.ELA.4.9D.I

TEKS.ELA.5.9D.I

TEKS.ELA.PSW.5B

TEKS.ELA.RI.4D

If you are feeling sad, you can make yourself feel better by doing a few simple things. You can take a walk (or get another form of exercise), you can talk to a friend, or you can write down your feelings. Writing down the good things in your life will help too. Doing something good for someone else will also help you feel better. If you still feel a little sad, act happy. It works like magic to make you feel better!
What is the main idea?

• Sometimes people feel sad.
• You should do good things for others.
• We're not always happy.
• There are many ways to make yourself feel better. 

Tags

TEKS.ELA.3.9D.I

TEKS.ELA.4.9D.I

TEKS.ELA.5.9D.I

TEKS.ELA.PSW.5B

TEKS.ELA.RI.4D

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.

Tags

TEKS.ELA.3.9D.I

TEKS.ELA.4.9D.I

TEKS.ELA.5.9D.I

TEKS.ELA.PSW.5B

TEKS.ELA.RI.4D

Which sentence is a supporting detail that recycling is important?

• There are many landfills available for waste.
• Recycling paper saves trees from being cut down.
• Clean jars before recycling them.
• Separate your paper, cans, and glass jars before recycling.

Tags

TEKS.ELA.6.5G

TEKS.ELA.7.5G

TEKS.ELA.8.5G

TEKS.ELA.E4.4G

TEKS.ELA.E4.7D.I