1. Fourth Grade Unit 2 Week 5 Created by Kristi Waltke
Main Idea
Fourth Grade
Unit 2 Week 5
Created by Kristi Waltke

2. Main Idea
The focus of a paragraph or an article—what it is all about—is the topic.

3. Main Idea
The most important thing the author has to say about the topic is the main idea.

4. Main Idea
Small pieces of information that tell more about the main idea are supporting details.

5. Main Idea
Supporting
Detail
Supporting
Detail
Supporting
Detail

6. Think about the story statements that follow
Think about the story statements that follow. Decide which is a main idea and which is a supporting detail.
Main Idea
Supporting
Detail

7. Main Idea There are bad things about being President.
The President always has to be dressed up.
Supporting Detail

8. Main Idea Someone once threw a cabbage at William Howard Taft.
Supporting Detail
People get mad at the President.
Main Idea

9. Main Idea If you want to be President, your size doesn’t matter.
James Madison was only one hundred pounds.
Supporting Detail

10. Main Idea They even had a Shetland pony called Algonquin.
Supporting Detail
Theodore Roosevelt’s children practically ran a zoo.
Main Idea

11. Main Idea Almost any job can lead to the White House.
Ronald Reagan was a movie actor.
Supporting Detail

12. Being President can be wanting to serve your country.
Main Idea
George Washington left his Virginia plantation three times to lead and serve the country he loved.
Supporting Detail

13. Some Presidents do things to make the world a better place.
John Kennedy sent Peace Corps volunteers around the globe to teach and help others.
Supporting Detail
Some Presidents do things to make the world a better place.
Main Idea

14. Remember to identify main ideas and supporting details as you read!