1. Determining Main Idea

2. Review The main idea tells us what the paragraph is about. It is usually found in the first sentence. Sometimes it is found in the last sentence. Once in a while the main idea is in the last sentence. The rest of the sentences are supporting details that explain the paragraph or make the paragraph more interesting.

3. Graphic Organizer Main Idea Supporting Details:

4. Graphic Organizer Supporting Details: Without one of the legs, the entire chair falls over.

5. Picture 1

6. Main Idea: Cowboys roping cattle Supporting Details: Horses Men holding ropes Cattle on ground with ropes around them Man on ground with cattle

7. Picture 2

8. Main Idea Cowboys are eating at the chuck wagon Supporting Details (Your turn)

9. Picture 3

10. Main Idea: (Your turn) Supporting Details: Large herd of cattle Men on horseback Open range Cattle are standing still

11. Picture 4

12. Main Idea: (Your turn) Supporting Details: (Your turn)

13. Charts We can do the same thing with a chart or graph. 1.Look at the chart or graph. 2.What is the main idea? What is most important for me to remember? 3.What are the supporting details? How do I know I am right?

14. Graph 1

15. Main Idea: When I ask myself, “Self, what is most important to know?” My self answers, “Use the title – Native Americans in Utah 2000. That is the main idea.”

16. Graph 1 Supporting Details: What is the graph about? Where did the information come from? What does the author of the graph want me to see? Which tribe had the most people in Utah?

17. Review The main idea tells you what the information is about. Pictures and graphs can have main ideas. Supporting details give us more information or make the information more interesting. Pictures and graphs have supporting details.