Focus Skill: Main Idea Created By: Agatha Lee September 2009

What does that mean?

The Main Idea tells us what the story is MOSTLY about.

Main Ideas help readers remember important information.

Look for the character’s problem or challenge. While you read, pay attention to what the main character wants or needs. Look for the character’s problem or challenge.

Then, look for details that tell you more about how the main character solves the problem or meets the challenge. Those details help you decide the main idea.

Let’s be a detective. We’ll read some stories and decide what the main idea is.

Best Friends. Ginni and Juliana were best friends Best Friends Ginni and Juliana were best friends. They liked to do many things together. In the summer, they both liked to go swimming in the ocean and to build sandcastles. In the winter, they went ice-skating on the pond by their school. Their favorite thing to do together was to ride horses in the meadow near their homes.

What is the main idea of that story. A What is the main idea of that story? A. Ginni and Juliana lived close to each other. B. The girls loved to ride horses together. C. Ginni and Juliana liked to do the same things. The answer is “C.”

What is one activity the girls liked to do in the summer. A What is one activity the girls liked to do in the summer ? A. They liked to ride horses. B. They liked to build sand castles. C. They liked to go to camping. The answer is “B.”

What is one activity the girls did not do in the winter. A What is one activity the girls did not do in the winter ? A. They went ice-skating. B. They built snowmen. The answer is “B.”

What was their favorite activity to do together. A What was their favorite activity to do together ? A. watching television B. swimming C. riding horses The answer is “C.”

Nana’s Visit My Nana is the best Nana in the world because she spoils me. She recently came to visit me for one week. She braided my hair. She baked delicious cookies. She bought me a toy when we went shopping. After seven fun-filled days, I was sad to see my Nana leave.

What was the main idea of this story. A What was the main idea of this story ? A. Nana knows how to make yummy cookies. B. Nana always treats the author like a princess. C. Nana left after seven days. The answer is “B.”

Why did the author like it when Nana took her shopping. A Why did the author like it when Nana took her shopping ? A. Nana bought her a toy. B. Nana used a coupon to buy her a cake. C. Nana bought her some yummy cookies. The answer is “A.”

What is one fun thing that Nana did during her visit. A What is one fun thing that Nana did during her visit ? A. She played games with the author. B. She made a scrumptious dinner. C. She braided the author’s hair. The answer is “C.”