What’s the Big Idea?Theme and Main IdeaPresented by: Miss Sonzogni

By PresenterMedia.com

• The main idea is what the passage is mostly about

• For Example:• Squirrel Hollow is not a big town. In fact, it is so small, the

water Department is a hand pump in the town square. And the Squirrel Hollow Fire Department is made up of one bucket, a pair of rain books, and a red ten-speed bicycle.

• The main idea of this passage is the first sentence:• Squirrel Hollow is not a big town

•What is the main idea?

• Note: Not every sentence in the passage will be about the main idea. Some sentences will give details.

• Think of the main idea and details like the palm of your hand and fingers

•What is the main idea?

Main Idea

Details

The main idea is not always the first line of the sentence.

Juan stood with his left foot firmly planted on the third-base bag. He listened to the cheers. It was his fourth hit of the game. Two of them had been home runs. His hitting had been excellent, as usual, pushing the Bulldogs to an 8-3 lead over the Hornets. There could be no doubt: Juan was the best baseball player in the league.

What is the main idea of this passage?Juan was the best baseball player in the league.

•Find the main idea

Think about what you are reading After reading a long paragraph or several short paragraphs, ask yourself

“What is this part of the passage mostly about”

If you are confused… Go back and reread it! Don’t get hung up on minor details

Look for sentences that tell the main idea

Notice the difference between a main idea and a supporting detail.

•Main Idea Tips

Sometimes, the main idea needs to be figured out on your own.

I kind of floated through the rest of that day, aware that my neck was burning and that most of the reason for that was that Arthur was sitting three rows behind me in class. When it was finally time to go home, I didn’t have the nerve to look over my shoulder at him, but when Marla and I were in our seat on the bus, I glanced in his direction and smiled.

What is the main idea of this passage?• Something happened between the main character and Arthur,

but the main character wants to make amends.

•Find the main idea

• Once in your small groups, these are the activities that need to be completed:

1. *Read An Alarming Morning and the answer the questions that follow

2. Meet with a teacher to discuss a folktale

3. Watch the “Main Idea” BrainPop

4. Go to http://tinyurl.com/9e92t to play a main idea game

*Must Do

•Group Work

• The theme refers to the general meaning of the passage. The theme usually provokes emotions and makes you feel some way.

• Think back to the story, An Alarming Morning. What is the theme?

• What details from the story support this theme choice?

•What is the theme?

• Go back into your small groups to complete the activities from earlier plus some extras:

1. *Meet with a teacher to discuss a folktale

2. Watch the video clip about theme found on the H: drive

3. Listen to one song found on the H:drive. Use the Inferring Themes page and complete it for one song.

*Must do

•Group Work continued…