Main Idea and Supporting Detail

What is a main idea?

• The point of a piece of writing.

• The information that supports a topic sentence.

• The most interesting detail in a book.

• The punctuation used in a paragraph.

Which might be a main idea of an article called “Dolphins are Smart”?

• Dolphins eat fish, squid, and shrimp.

• Dolphins can use tools and be trained by humans.

• Dolphins are mammals.

• Dolphins are my favorite animal.

Finding the main idea can help you COMPREHEND a book? What does COMPREHEND mean?

• Confuse

• Understand

• Write

• Teach

What might be the main idea of a book on Jackie Robinson, one of the first African American Major League Baseball players?

• Jackie Robinson was born in 1919

• Jackie Robinson's jersey number was 42

• Jackie Robinson is a hero to many people.

• Jackie Robinson retired at the age of 37

Which detail supports a paragraph about bike safety?

• Helmets can protect your head from injuries.

• The first bike with pedals was invented in 1861

• Bikes are better for the environment than cars.

• A bike with only one wheel is called a unicycle.

How do you feel about being able to find the main idea and supporting details in a text

• Great! I can do this in my sleep

• Okay. I would like more practice.

• Not good. I need more help on this.

Do you need more help finding the main idea or finding supporting details?

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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.

Some animals are camouflaged to match their surroundings. Snow hares are white in the winter to match the snow. Walking Stick bugs camouflage themselves by looking like twigs. A Chameleon may change its color.

What is the main idea?

• Some animals are camouflaged to match their surroundings.

• Snow hares are white in the winter to match the snow.

• Walking Stick bugs camouflage themselves by looking like twigs.

• A Chameleon may change its color.

Toby is a special dog. He helps people as they cross the street. Toby guides them to find their stuff in their rooms. He makes sure that the people will not be harmed.

Main Idea: Toby is a special dog.

Choose a supporting detail below.

• Toby likes to play with other dogs.

• He makes sure it is safe for people to cross the street.