1. BIG What’s the BIG idea? Finding a selection’s Main Idea

2. Every reading passage has two parts. A Main IdeaDetails tells what the passage is mostly about tells more about the main idea

3. A reading passage is like a house. M a i n I d e a detailsdetails detailsdetails d e t a i l s

4. The main idea answers the question: What is the passage mostly about?

5. The main idea can’t be: a question more than one sentence a sentence that you just like or think is interesting

6. Let’s practice! We will: 1. Read the passage. 2. Find the main idea. 3. Find details.

7. Some people say that dogs are man’s best friend. Dogs help farmers to herd animals such as sheep or cattle. Dogs can be trained to work as seeing eye dogs for the blind. Other dogs are used to sniff out bombs or drugs. Still others are used to keep elderly people company. Dogs can do many important jobs.

8. Dogs can do many important jobs. Dogs can help blind people. Dogs can work for farmers. Dogs can keep people company. Dogs can sniff for drugs.

9. Spring is a very busy season. Spring is the time of year when plants begin to grow. Birds build their nests in spring. Many kinds of animals have their babies in spring. Most people plant their gardens then too. Lots of things happen in spring.

10. Lots of things happen in spring. Plants grow in spring. Birds build nests in spring. Animals have babies in spring. People plant gardens in spring.

11. Some people are afraid of spiders. But spiders help us a lot! Many harmful insects eat the crops that people need for food. Spiders spin webs that catch many of these. Spider venom is used by doctors who are trying to find ways to help people who’ve had strokes. The silk from spider webs is used in some kinds of lab equipment. Spiders help people.

12. Spiders help people. Spiders eat harmful insects. Spider venom is used by doctors. Spider webs are used in labs.

13. Did you know that 75% of your body is water? Drinking water helps you to have more energy and think better. Water also helps your body to get over sicknesses faster. It also helps your body to get rid of things that are bad for you. Water is an important drink that everyone needs.

14. Water is an important drink that everyone needs. Water helps you have more energy. Water helps you to think better. Water helps you get over sicknesses. Water helps your body get rid of waste.

15. The United States government has three parts. The first part is called the Executive branch. This is the president. The next branch is called the Legislative branch. This is the Congress. The last branch is called the Judicial branch. This is the Courts. Each branch of government has an important job to do.

16. Our government has three parts. The first part is the Executive. The next part is the Legislative. The last part is the Judicial. Each part has an important job.