1. Aim: How do we find main ideas of paragraphs in reading?
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.

2. Aim: How do we find main ideas of paragraphs in reading?
What is a main idea?
The main idea of a paragraph is the author’s idea about the topic. It is always a complete sentence that includes both the topic and the idea that the author wishes to express about the topic.
Do now: Write in one sentence for each question.
Is it a complete sentence or incomplete one?

3. Aim: How do we find main ideas of paragraphs in reading?
Guidelines:
Many times we can find main idea of paragraphs in the
topic sentence.
However, sometimes we have to figure out the main idea
of the paragraphs by ourselves.

4. Aim: How do we find main ideas of paragraphs in reading?
Read this paragraph and underline the topic sentence. Then compare your choice
with another student. Decide whose choice is best and correct your work if necessary.
Modern Trends in Management
The "idea box" is a useful concept in management. It was first introduced in the early
20th century by Kodak in the United States and Michelin in France. The managers of
these companies used idea boxes to collect suggestions from employees about improving
production. Today the idea box is not used much in the United States or Europe. However,
it is used a lot in Japan. Japanese managers have found it to be a very valuable resource.
Employees often know more than managers about the details of production. In the long run,
their suggestions can make a real difference to the company. Employees who offer useful
ideas may receive extra money in their paychecks.

5. Aim: How do we find main ideas of paragraphs in reading?
There are two topic sentences for the following two paragraphs. Read the paragraphs and decide which topic sentence is the main idea of which paragraph.
At present, some managers spend much of their working time at home, especially those who work a lot on computers.
In a recent study, researchers interviewed 1,500 business managers in the United States.

6. Aim: How do we find main ideas of paragraphs in reading? :
____________________________________________________ They asked all kinds of questions about the managers' habits and opinions regarding their work. The researchers learned that only 33% of the managers worked hours. The majority of them (57%) worked from hours a week and 6% worked over 60 hours. Only 2% of the managers said they felt satisfied and had enough time to do everything. The rest of the managers felt they did not have enough time for their families or their hobbies. The study showed that American managers are generally not happy with their working schedules.

7. Aim: How do we find main ideas of paragraphs in reading?
______________________________________________________
They can send their work to the company by fax or by direct computer connections. There are many advantages to working at home, including more flexible hours and better productivity. "Home managers" also save time and money they would have spent on transportation. The disadvantages may be the difficulty in organizing work and the loss of direct contact with colleagues. In the future, many more managers will be able to work at home, thanks to modern technology and telecommunication.

8. Aim: How do we find main ideas of paragraphs in reading?
Sometimes the topic sentence does not completely state the author's idea about the topic.
In some industrialized countries, people are retiring from work at an early age. This is especially true in Europe, where many workers retire at age 55. In 1970, about half the men aged 55 continued to work. Now, only about 10-30% of that age group continue to work. The reason for this trend is economic. Some European governments wanted people to retire early so that their jobs could go to younger people. But early retirement has created new economic problems. Governments are having trouble paying the pensions and health costs for all the additional retired people.

9. Aim: How do we find main ideas of paragraphs in reading?
Topic: Early retirement
Underline the topic sentence. Then circle the letter in front of the best statement of the author's main idea.
Early retirement starts at age 55.
In some industrialized countries, more people are retiring early.
The trend to early retirement is creating economic problems in Europe.
The best choice is c. Choice a is too specific. Choice b does not include an important part of the main idea—the economic problems which are the result of early retirement.

10. Aim: How do we find main ideas of paragraphs in reading?
The best choice is c. Choice a is too specific. Choice b does not include an important part of the main idea— the economic problems which are the result of early retirement.

11. Do you understand today’s vocabulary?
Checkpoint # 1:
Do you understand today’s vocabulary?
Raise your right hand if you clearly understand today’s vocabulary words.
Raise your left hand if you do not clearly understand today’s vocabulary words.