1. Finding the main idea and details
Fireflies In The Night

2. Today, we will…
1. Have a quiz to recap on our previous lessons about fables. 2. Learn about using the main idea and details in writing non-fiction.

6. Group work 1: Reread the selection and put the sentences in the correct order
A. Young fireflies don’t have wings. 4 2
B. Fireflies look like dancing stars. 8
C. If the jar is dipped in cold water, their lights will fade. 5
D. In their first year, they live in the ground. 1
E. When she visits her grandfather, they watch the fireflies.
F. Fireflies have two sets of wings. 3 7
G. Hold the jar upright in a bowl of warm water. 6
H. Grandfather tells her new things after the firefly hunts.

7. The main idea: She likes fireflies.
Group work 2: Reread the selection & search for the four details that support the main idea.
The main idea: She likes fireflies.
Detail 1: When I visit my grandfather in the summertime,
we sit outdoors after supper and watch them.
Detail 2: Grandmother likes to watch fireflies too.
They look like little dancing stars.
Detail 3: Fireflies are easy to catch.
Detail 4: After every firefly hunt, Grandfather has
something new to tell me.

8. C. Using the main idea and details for planning: An example.
My creature is a / an
spider
The main idea is
The Brown Recluse is the most dangerous spider in the world.
Details that tell more about the main idea are:
1. It has a venomous bite
2. Bites can leave wounds the size of a human hand.
3. Some victims experience fever and vomiting after a bite.
4. Some people have died after being bitten.

9. D. My Creature
The Brown Recluse is perhaps the most dangerous spider in the world. Luckily, it does not live in Hong Kong. It lives in central parts of the USA.
It has a venomous bite. Usually, it will only bite you if disturbed. However, if you accidentally touch it by sitting on it or stepping on it, it may bite you.
The Brown Recluse can leave bites the size of a human hand on people who have sensitive skin. The wound can take more than eight weeks to heal. But, for most people, it just leaves a small mark on the skin.
Some victims experience fever and vomiting after a bite but, most people recover quickly.
There have been some cases of people being killed after getting bitten. Those in the most danger are the very young, the old and the sick.
If you ever think that you have been bitten by a dangerous spider, you should go straight to hospital for treatment.
Remember to:
Use indented
paragraphs.
2. Use the details
you listed in your
planning to start each
paragraph.
3. Use the correct
tense. (The present
simple for a character
descriptions).
4. Round up your
writing with a closing
paragraph.

10. Our creature: Planning
Our creature is a / an
The main idea is
Details that tell more about the main idea are:

11. Our creature: Writing