Main and Helping Idea

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.

An octopus isn't fast enough to swim after a fish. The octopus must wait for a fish to swim by.  When the fish comes within reach, the octopus whips out his long arm to grasp it.  Then the octopus has a tasty meal.  What is the main idea?

• How much fish an octopus eats
• Why the octopus likes to eat
• How an octopus gets its food

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.

Which sentence is a supporting detail that you should get enough sleep?

• Many people sleep later on the weekends.
• Caffeine keeps some people awake at night.
• Dark rooms are best for sleeping.
• Seven to nine hours keeps you refreshed the next day.

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.

What is the main idea of a reading selection?

• The supporting ideas in a text that show proof.
• What the text is mainly about.
• A conclusion statement
• A full and complete sentence.

What are supporting details (also known as concrete details)?

• Quotes, facts, examples all located within the text to help support the main idea.
• The author's discussion about the main idea in more depth.
• The author's opinion about the main idea.
• The reader's opinion about the main idea.

Jenny visited her grandmother in the hospital.  She saw how kind and helpful the nurses were to her grandmother.  Now she wants to be a nurse when she grows up.  She wants to help sick people get well. 
What is the main idea?

• Jenny got sick.
• Jenny wants to be a nurse.
• Her grandmother was in the hospital.
• Jenny was glad the nurses were being kind to her grandmother.

Tom started to reel in his line. The fish tugged and pulled hard. Judging by the weight of his catch, this fish could feed his family for three days. Tom struggled to stay in the boat and not be pulled over the side. Finally his catch came into view. He had snagged a snapping turtle!
What is the main idea?

• Tom finds enough food for his family.
• Tom gets pulled out of his boat by a huge fish.
• Tom didn't catch anything.
• Tom catches a snapping turtle while fishing.

Which detail doesn't fit the main idea?

Main idea: Many animals use camouflage to help them

• Polar bears are white to help them blend in with the snow.

• Many praying mantises look like sticks or leaves.

• Zebras travel in groups so their stripes help them blend in with each other

• Iguanas mostly eat plants such as leaves and flowers.