Finding Main Idea Wynne Intermediate School

What is a main idea?? The main idea tells what something is MOSTLY about The most important idea in a paragraph

How do you find the main idea?? You can find the main idea of most reading passages in the first or last sentence of the passage. Sometimes the main idea is NOT found in the paragraph. You can figure out the main idea by thinking about the most important idea in the paragraph.

Think about the most important idea in this passage… Beavers have special body parts that help them when they work under water. Their ears and nose close to keep water out. Their webbed toes help them to swim. And their eyes have clear lids that allow them to see underwater. What is the main idea???

Sick Day Ben picked up a book and started to read. After a few minutes, he closed the book with a sigh. Then he turned on the television. Ben flipped through a dozen channels, but he couldn’t find anything he wanted to watch. His lunch sat on the table by his bed. He wasn’t even hungry. Ben had to admit that staying home sick can be boring. What is the main idea in this paragraph??????? Ben doesn’t feel like eating. Ben likes to read when he is sick. Staying home sick can be boring.

Try another!!! When do you celebrate the new year? In the United States, Europe, and Japan, most people celebrate the new year on January 1. In China, the new year begins sometime between the middle of February and the middle of March. Jewish people celebrate the Jewish new year in the fall. In Iran, the new year begins on the first day of spring. What is the main idea in this paragraph??????? Countries that celebrate the new year on January 1 Why the new year begins on a different day each year Different times when the new year is celebrated

And… When do you celebrate the new year? In the United States, Europe, and Japan, most people celebrate the new year on January 1. In China, the new year begins sometime between the middle of February and the middle of March. Jewish people celebrate the Jewish new year in the fall. In Iran, the new year begins on the first day of spring. Where or how did you find the main idea???? In the middleIn the first sentenceBy thinking about the most important idea in the paragraph

Outside and Inside Birds have two kinds of feathers. The outside feathers help keep the bird dry. These feathers cover each other. They form a kind of raincoat for the bird. These outside feathers are flat and smooth. Under these outside feathers is a different kind of feather. These feathers are called “down.” Down feathers are soft and fluffy. Down feathers are right next to bird’s skin. The down keeps the bird warm. Baby birds have only down feathers. As they get bigger, their outer feathers grow in. What is the main idea of the first paragraph???? Outside feathers are flat and smooth Feathers keep a bird dry. Outside feathers help keep birds dry.

Outside and Inside Birds have two kinds of feathers. The outside feathers help keep the bird dry. These feathers cover each other. They form a kind of raincoat for the bird. These outside feathers are flat and smooth. Under these outside feathers is a different kind of feather. These feathers are called “down.” Down feathers are soft and fluffy. Down feathers are right next to bird’s skin. The down keeps the bird warm. Baby birds have only down feathers. As they get bigger, their outer feathers grow in. What is the main idea of the last paragraph???? Feathers keep birds warm. Down feathers are fluffy. Down feathers keep birds warm.

Outside and Inside Birds have two kinds of feathers. The outside feathers help keep the bird dry. These feathers cover each other. They form a kind of raincoat for the bird. These outside feathers are flat and smooth. Under these outside feathers is a different kind of feather. These feathers are called “down.” Down feathers are soft and fluffy. Down feathers are right next to bird’s skin. The down keeps the bird warm. Baby birds have only down feathers. As they get bigger, their outer feathers grow in. What is the article mostly about? All birds have feathers. As birds get bigger, their outer feathers grown in. Birds have two kinds of feathers.

Outside and Inside Birds have two kinds of feathers. The outside feathers help keep the bird dry. These feathers cover each other. They form a kind of raincoat for the bird. These outside feathers are flat and smooth. Under these outside feathers is a different kind of feather. These feathers are called “down.” Down feathers are soft and fluffy. Down feathers are right next to bird’s skin. The down keeps the bird warm. Baby birds have only down feathers. As they get bigger, their outer feathers grow in. What would be another good title for this article? How Birds FlyWhere to Find BirdsAll About Feathers