1. Professionals’ Similarities How do you start your answer? Interested @ early age Faced challenges Realized dream EunBenjaminSheilaRuss News reporting DoctorTeacher Jungle explorer Adults discouraged Poor and bad student Dyslexia – hard to read Lived in NYC – no jungle Anchor on NBC4 Doctor @ Johns Hopkins Teacher @ Garfield Elem Expert on primates What do I write first?

2. In this lesson you will learn how to express the main idea by writing a thesis statement.

3. Let’s Review 123457698 Interpreting Analyzing Writing Revising Writing the Thesis Statement

4. Let’s Review  List things all four professionals have in common, even though they’re in different positions.  Provide evidence that this information comes from the article.  Find out what it takes to make a childhood dream job become a reality.

5. A Common Mistake Not translating the similarities, or main points, into a main idea All four professionals were interested in their careers at early ages, faced challenges and realized their dream jobs. Yeah, but what’s the MAIN IDEA?

6. Core Lesson Think of the similarities as legs of a stool. 1 2 Ask yourself what the “legs” are supporting. 3 Write a response to the prompt that expresses the main idea.

7. Think of the similarities as the legs of a stool. 1 Interested at early age Faced challenges Realized dream job

8. Core Lesson Ask yourself what the legs are supporting. 2 Realized dream job Faced challenges Interested at early age STUCK WITH DREAM OVER TIME The question REALLY wants me to find out what it takes to make a dream job a reality. What are the legs supporting?

9. Core Lesson 3 Write a response to the prompt that expresses the main idea. Interested at early age Faced challenges Realized dream job The four professionals in this article stuck with their dreams over time. The four professionals in this article stuck with their dreams over time. The four professionals in this article committed themselves to lifelong journeys in their chosen fields. The four professionals in this article committed themselves to lifelong journeys in their chosen fields.

10. Core Lesson 3 Write a response to the prompt that expresses the main idea. The four professionals in this article were interested in their careers at early ages, faced challenges, and realized their dream jobs. The four professionals in this article stuck with their dreams over time. The four professionals in this article committed themselves to lifelong journeys in their chosen fields.

11. Core Lesson Think of the similarities as the legs of a stool. 1 2 Ask yourself what main idea the “legs” are supporting. 3 Write a response to the prompt that expresses the main idea.

12. In this lesson you have learned how to express the main idea by writing a thesis statement.

13. Guided Practice The article tells the story of four adults who got the jobs they wanted since childhood. What is similar about their current attitudes about their jobs? Support your claims. After reading to determine the similarities, use the “stool” method to find the main idea. Express the main idea in a thesis statement.

14. Extension Activities Read three different fables. What do they have in common? Provide examples from the text. After reading to determine the similarities, use the “stool” method to find the main idea. Express the main idea in a thesis statement.

15. Extension Activities Read three Greek myths, each with a different hero as the main character. How are these heroes alike? What evidence do you have? After reading to determine the similarities, use the “stool” method to find the main idea. Express the main idea in a thesis statement.

16. Extension Activities Read informative texts that explain the life cycles of insects, amphibians, and birds. How are they alike? Give examples. After reading to determine the similarities, use the “stool” method to find the main idea. Express the main idea in a thesis statement.

17. Let’s Review Quick Quiz After reading to determine the similarities, use the “stool” method to find the main idea. Express the main idea in a thesis statement. The author says, “…the difference between wanting to do something when you grow up, and actually doing it, is how hard you work for it.” In what ways were the struggles of Eun, Benjamin, and Sheila the same? Provide evidence from the text.