Main Idea

The main idea of a text is...

• what the text is a little bit about

• what the text is never about

• what the text is sometimes telling you

• what the text is mostly, or mainly, about

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.

What is the definition of main idea?

• Its the authors point of view

• Is what the passage is mostly about

• It is the sequence of the story.

The main idea can be implied or stated.

• True

• False

What at is the main idea of this paragraph?
Soccer players learn many skills when playing soccer.  Soccer players learn how to dribble and pass the ball.  They also learn how to control the ball so they can eventually score.  Most importantly, soccer players learn how to work together with their teammates.

• They also learn how to control the ball so they can eventually score.

• Soccer players learn how to dribble.

• They learn how to work together as teammates.

• Soccer players learn many skills when playing soccer.

The central idea of a passage/text is....

• what the text is a little bit about

• what the text is sometimes telling you

• what the text is never about

• what the text is mostly or mainly about

The main idea is supported by what?

• concluding sentences

• details

What might be the central idea of a book titled "Eat Your Fruits and Vegetables?"

• Tomatoes are good for you.

• Strawberries have seeds on the outside.

• It's important to eat vegetables and fruit.

• Spinach is good for your bones.

Supporting details....

• are pointless when determining the central idea

• just give more information

• do not support the central idea

• help prove the central idea (evidence)

Do you think this sentence implies a theme or a main idea? It was a rainy day, and mom had to get creative to keep the kids from getting too bored.

• Theme

• Main Idea