Main Idea

What does the main idea of a story tell the reader?

• What the longest section of the story says

• The conflict of the story

• What the whole story is about when looked at as a whole

• What the most important detail is in the story

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

Do you ever wonder how you taste things? You owe your sense of taste to your taste buds. We have 9,000 taste buds just on the tongue alone. There are also taste buds on the roof of your mouth. You even have taste buds on the back of your throat.

What is the main idea of this passage?

• Why we can taste only certain things

• That we taste through our noses

• The inside of our mouth is covered in taste buds

• We have taste buds on our tongues

Tags

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

Seated on his throne, King Midas wore a golden crown. He had golden rings on each finger and held a golden scepter. His vest was embroidered with golden thread and even his shoes had golden ornaments. He had a golden box filled with gold coins. He named his daughter Marigold.

What is the main idea of this paragraph?

• King Midas loved gold

• King Midas had a heart of gold

• King Midas sold lots of gold

• King Midas hated gold

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

One of the most popular musical instruments is the piano. In the traditional musical instrument classification system of string, woodwind, percussion and brass, the piano falls into two categories. It is considered a string instrument because the sound comes from the strings inside the piano. It is also considered a percussion instrument, since the player strikes the keyboard, which signals an internal hammer to strike the strings.

What is the main idea of this text?

• The piano is both a string and percussion instrument.

• The piano is a string instrument.

• The piano is a popular instrument.

• The strings of a piano makes the sound.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

It was lunch time and nobody knew what to eat. T'Challa decided he would cook macaroni and cheese. It seemed simple enough and he knew his brothers and sisters would be happy with it. First, he poured the noodles in the pot and covered them in water. Then, he boiled the water. Then he poured the water out and mixed cheese with the noodles. Everyone was happy and thankful for T'Challa's cooking.

What is this story about?

• How to make macaroni and cheese.

• Nobody knowing what to eat.

• T'Challa cooking lunch.

• Why everyone liked macaroni and cheese.

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.10

CCSS.RL.4.6

CCSS.RL.5.10

CCSS.RL.5.6

CCSS.RL.6.10

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

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

Many people have not heard giraffes make noises. Giraffes do not use sounds to “talk” with each other. When hurt, giraffes make a low moo, something like a cow. When frightened, they make a short, high sound.

What is the paragraph's main idea?

• Giraffes do make noises

• Giraffes talk all the time.

• Cows and giraffes talk to each other.

• Lots of people have heard giraffes talk.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

The coming of the automobile in the early 1900s lessened the popularity of bicycle riding for transportation. However, cycling has remained a sport for adults and children alike. Interestingly, though bicycles have become somewhat more complex, with hand brakes and several speeds, the basic construction has remained remarkably unchanged. The most important feature of a bicycle, the fact that it is powered by human muscle instead of an engine and fuel, has endured.

What is the passage's main idea?

• Bicycles are not as popular since automobiles were invented.

• Information about bicycles over a long time period.

• Cycling is a great sport for adults and children.

• Bicycles are powered by humans, not engines and fuel.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

Benjamin Franklin invented many things that made life easier in the late 1700's. He invented the lightning rod that saved many homes from fires. He also invented the Franklin Stove. The stove could heat a room better than a fireplace and saved people a lot of fuel. He also invented a special kind of glasses called bifocals. This new kind of glasses helped people to read better.

What is the main idea of this paragraph?

• Benjamin Franklin invented the lightning rod.

• Benjamin Franklin lived in the late 1700's.

• Benjamin Franklin invented the Franklin Stove and bifocals.

• Benjamin Franklin invented many things.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

Which of these can be clues to help you find the main idea?

• Titles and subtitles

• Pictures

• Repeated words and phrases

• One small piece of information

• Bolded and highlighted words

Tags

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.2