1. Theme VS Main Idea
2016 Do Nows

2. Main Idea VS Theme
The main idea helps a the reader understand what the story or passage is mainly about.
What point is the author trying to make?
Sometimes the main idea is in the first or last sentence
Look for words that are repeated
The theme is the lesson about life or lesson learned
Use clues from the text to infer the theme.
Common themes:
Persistence pays off
Money can’t buy happiness
Family comes 1st
Good can come from bad

4. Main Idea
David lost his ball and he needs to get down the hill to get it.
Theme
Courage

6. THEME
Honesty is the best policy
MAIN IDEA
Jane’s cousin stile a candy bar, but she decided to make right by paying

8. Main Idea Theme Be kind, even when others are not
James had to deal with a difficult customer
Theme
Be kind, even when others are not

10. Main Idea
Carolyn had heard bad things about Madeline, but she soon found out how much they had in common
Theme
Don’t let other people’s opinions influence you

12. Main Idea
Connor was always hurting people, and his mom didn’t trust him anymore
Theme
Actions speak louder than words