Main Idea #1

What is the main idea?

• a supporting detail

• the main focus of the article

• what the author thinks

• the most interesting part of the story

What are supporting details?

• what each character does throughout the story

• the whole idea of the article

• details that explain the author's opinions

• details that explain and prove the main idea

What can you find in the passage to help determine the main idea?

• subtitles

• supporting details

• picture captions

• all of the above

Using prior knowledge helps identify the main idea.

• true

• false

The repetition of ideas points towards the main idea.

• true

• false

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.

Floods can cause tremendous damage.  They can ruin houses, roads and buildings. Floods can take down trees and cause mudslides. It often leaves mud, sand and debris behind.  It can take months to clean up after a flood.

What is the main idea?

• Floods can cause a lot of damage.

• Floods can cause mudslides.

• Floods damage houses and roads.

• Floods aren't that much of a problem.

One 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?

• The piano is a string instrument.

• The piano is a popular instrument.

• The piano is both a string and percussion instrument.

• The strings of a piano makes the sound.

Irish immigration to the U.S. began during the early development of the American colonies. It is estimated that 200,000 Irish came to the U.S. in the 17th and 18th centuries. The numbers swelled from 1820 to 1850 to almost 2 million Irish immigrants. Most of these were fleeing the potato famine from 1845 until 1852. Steady numbers continued to arrive during the late 19th and 20th centuries. Today, over 36 million Americans claim some level of Irish ancestry.

What is the main idea?

• The potato famine caused many Irish to immigrate to the U.S.

• The Irish came in large numbers to the U.S.

• The U.S. is a country of immigrants.

• The Irish are coming to the U.S. still today.

The Constitution of the U.S. has been amended several times to allow more citizens the right to vote. The 15th Amendment, ratified in 1870, extended voting rights to former slaves. The 19th Amendment, ratified in 1920, gave women the right to vote. In 1971, the 26th Amendment granted voting rights to those 18 years and older, changing the requirement that voters must be 21 years old.

What is the main idea?

• The Constitution has been amended many times.

• Women didn’t vote until 1920 but men could vote since the founding of the country.

• Today, almost anyone can vote.

• The Constitution has been amended several times to grant more citizens the right to vote.