Main Idea in Reading Passages

1. Main Idea in Reading Passages Finding the main idea!

2. How to find the Main Idea • Usually in 1st or last sentence • Topic sentence • It is the MOST important idea • Ask yourself… • What is the most important idea in the passage?

3. Try to find the main idea….. • Michelangelo was a gifted Italian artist. He was a sculptor, a painter, an architect, and a poet. One of his most famous works of art is on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Born in 1475, he is one of the most famous artists who ever lived. • Michelangelo was one of the most famous Italian artists. • Charles Lindbergh was born in 1902. He loved anything mechanical. He loved airplanes. When he heard of a contest to fly across the Atlantic Ocean, he decided to try. He built his own plane. He flew non-stop from New York to Paris. He won the prize. He became famous for flying across the ocean. Lindbergh died in 1974. • Charles Lindbergh’s life was full of achievements. • Most animals like company, but, it seems, they also like to be unique. There are special names for groups of many different animals. For example, a group of fish is a school. You wouldn't call a group of ants a school, but you could call them a colony. A group of hens is not a colony, however; it is a brood. Then, there is a pod of dolphins, a string of ponies, and a gaggle of geese. • There are special names for groups of different animals.

4. Multiple Choice Practice • The US Mint makes money. It doesn't make all kinds, just coins. At first, the US Mint made one cent and one-half cent pieces. Through the years, it has made many coins, including a $20 gold piece. Today, the mint makes all of the coins we use to shop. It makes coins for special occasions too. The mint also stamps the designs for special medals. • How much money the mint makes • What the US mint makes • Why the mint made 1/2 cent pieces • Where the US mint is located

5. Independent Practice • Reading the following passages given out and highlight the main idea in each selection. • When completed, show it to Ms. Park to have it checked.

6. Recalling Facts and Details Facts and details tell more about the Main Idea

7. How to find facts and details… • Think about the Main Idea • Find the details that tell you more about the Main Idea • Ask yourself…what supports the most important idea? • Highlight those details

8. Main Idea: There are many different types of music. • There are many different kinds of music. People enjoy all types of styles. There is rock and roll, which usually is played loudly. It has a strong beat, and people often have to move a lot when listening to it. There is classical music, which uses sounds from several instruments and is often played by an orchestra. It can have an exciting, fast beat or consist of soothing tones. Rap music has words that are spoken to a background of music. Chants often are sung without any instrumental music. Music that is sung without instruments is called acapella. People may choose to listen to each type for different reasons and all can be enjoyable.

9. Main Idea: Honey has many uses. • People tried honey thousands of years ago. They found out that it was good! They used honey to sweeten foods and drinks. In some places, honey was used instead of money. Sometimes it was fed to special animals to make them stronger. It has been used to soften skin and heal small wounds. Honey is better than sugar for you. They are both sweet, but honey has some good things in it that sugar does not have. Honey has been around a lot longer than sugar and has many great uses.

10. Independent Practice • Read the passages handed out and highlight the main idea in pink. • Highlight the details or supporting facts in green.