Third Grade
Library Skills Lesson #12
3.1.15
States Main Idea
- Ask and answer questions to demonstrate
understanding of text.
- Recounts stories
- Describes characters and how they contribute to events
- Explain how illustrations create mood, emphasize
characters or setting
- Determine main idea and supporting ideas
Main Idea
Turn to your
partner and talk
about what the
main idea is.
Now listen as Moby
and Tim explain
main idea.
Is your definition
the same?
The main idea is ALWAYS the first sentence
of the paragraph.
a. True
b. False
The main idea of a story tells us . . . .
a.
b.
c.
d.
What to look for in the story
What the story is mainly about
How to read a story
Nothing
The purpose of a supporting detail is:
a.
b.
c.
d.
To tell you the main idea
To give more information about the main idea
To give you the conclusion
To tell you who the narrator is
Group Example
It was backward day at school. The students
had to do things backward. Some of them wore
their T-shirts backward. They took a test
before they studied the lesson! Dessert was
served first instead of last. They tried to walk
home backward, but they bumped into each
other and fell down.
What is the main idea?
a. Dessert is supposed to come last
b. The students had a backward day
c. It is hard to do things backward
d. Students failed their tests.
Table 1
Brandon is in the fourth grade. He loves to
play games. His favorite game is basketball.
When Brandon goes outside, he plays
basketball with friends.
The main idea is:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Brandon is in the fourth grade
Brandon loves to play games
Brandon plays outside
Brandon's favorite game is basketball
Table 2
Joey ran down the field kicking the soccer ball.
He got close to the goal and kicked as hard as
he could. The goalie caught the ball and threw
it back out. Joey knew he would try again soon.
The main idea is:
a.
b.
c.
d.
You can't use your hands in soccer.
Goalies have a hard job.
Joey's team is very good.
Joey is trying to score a goal.
Table 3
The rainforest has four main layers. Different
plants and animals live in each layer. Some
layers get more sunlight than other layers. The
names of these layers are the emergent layer,
the canopy, the understory, and the forest floor.
The main idea is:
a.
b.
c.
d.
We should take care of the rainforest.
The rainforest is an interesting place.
Many plants grow in the rainforest.
There are four main layers in the rainforest.
Table 4
The class is going on a field trip to the science
center. Our teacher tells us that science is
important. Our class enjoys doing science
experiments. We work very hard when we do
science. Our class’s favorite subject is science.
The main idea is:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Our favorite subject is science
We are going on a field trip to the science center
We love science experiments
We hate science
1. There are many kinds of animals. Some
animals live in barns. Animals like horses,
cows, and pigs live in barns. Some animals live
with people in houses. Fish and crabs live in
the sea. Owls and other birds live in trees.
What is the main idea:
a.
b.
c.
d.
There are many kinds of animal homes.
Animals live in the ocean.
Dogs live in houses.
Animals are happy in their homes.
2.
Every morning when I get up I eat breakfast,
brush my teeth, comb my hair, get dressed and
make my bed. After that, it is my job to feed
the dog. Then, I can read or play until it is
time for the bus to take me to school.
The main idea is:
a.
b.
c.
d.
What time I eat breakfast
How I go to school
My morning activities
Riding the bus
3.
The rules for lining up are very clear. Wait
until the teacher calls your group, then stand
up and push in your chair. Walk to the door
and stand in a straight, quiet line. Anyone not
following the rules will be told by the teacher to
please sit down. This can cause the class to be
late.
In which sentence can you find the main idea?
a.
b.
c.
d.
first sentence
second sentence
third sentence
last sentence
4.
At the store we use coupons to save money.
Coupons may come in the mail. Sometimes
they are in the newspaper. You can get them
in the ad for the store, too. Usually you need
to cut the coupon out.
What is the main idea:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Coupons save money.
Coupons can be found in different places.
Cut coupons out of the ad.
You may find a coupon at the store.
5.
Camels have one or two humps on their back.
The humps are made of fat. The fat stores
energy. When there isn’t much food, the camel
lives off from the energy from its hump.
What is this story mainly telling?
a. About the humps of a camel
b. How many humps a camel has
c. How much fat is in a camel's humps
d. How heavy a camel's humps can be
6.
Zoo elephants get very good care. Each
morning zookeepers give them a special bath.
They wash the elephants with water and a
brush. Then they paint oil on their skin and
rub oil on their feet. This is very important in
elephant care. It helps the elephants stay
healthy.
What is the main idea?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Why zookeepers have happy lives?
Who paints oil on elephants
How zookeepers give elephants special care
How much elephants eat
7.
They are building a new school near my house.
Every day I watch the workers drive huge
tractors and push a ton of dirt. They have big
cranes that help them place tall beams in the
ground. The workers build walls using bricks.
Every day it looks more and more like a school.
Mom says I will go there in the fall.
Why is the main idea?”
a.
b.
c.
d.
A tractor can move a lot of dirt.
Big cranes help put tall beams in place.
School walls are made with bricks.
A new school is being built.
8.
Benjamin Franklin loved to write. When he
was twenty-two, he set up his own printing shop
and started a newspaper. He also printed a
book called Poor Richard’s Almanac. It had
funny stories, information about the weather,
and wise sayings.
What is the main idea?
a. Benjamin Franklin loved to write stories and books.
b. Benjamin Franklin worked very hard when he was young.
c. Benjamin Franklin knew a lot about the weather.
d. Benjamin Franklin was very poor
9.
Benjamin Franklin loved the city of Philadelphia.
He started the city’s first hospital and fire
department. Ben also started Philadelphia’s first
public library. Benjamin Franklin worked very
hard to make Philadelphia a better place to live.
What is the main idea?
a. Benjamin Franklin worked hard to make his city a
great place to live.
b. Benjamin Franklin worked for the fire department.
c. Benjamin Franklin knew a lot about books.
d. Benjamin Franklin went to school in Philadelphia.
10.
Benjamin Franklin was very interested in electricity.
One day he tried a very dangerous experiment to
prove that lightning was electricity. He attached a
key to a kite string and flew the kite during a
thunderstorm. When the lightning hit the kite,
sparks flew from the key. Benjamin Franklin
proved that lightning was electricity.
What is the main idea?
a. Benjamin Franklin liked to play in the rain.
b. Benjamin Franklin performed an experiment that
proved lightning was electricity.
c. Benjamin Franklin knew a lot about thunderstorms.
d. Benjamin Franklin invented a new kind of kite.
11. Benjamin Franklin invented many things that
made life easier in the late 1700’s. He invented
the lightning rod that saved many homes from
fires. He also invented the Franklin stove. The
stove could heat a room better than a fireplace
and saved people a lot of fuel. He also invented a
special kind of glasses called bifocals. This new
kind of glasses helped people read better.
What is the main idea?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Benjamin Franklin thought reading was important.
Benjamin Franklin was not afraid of fire.
Benjamin Franklin was a great inventor.
A Franklin stove can heat a whole room.
12.
I have a dog named Boots. I taught him lots
of tricks. When I tell him to, Boots will sit or
lie down. He can also wave his paw to great
people. When I say, “Dance, Boots”, he will
stand up on two legs and walk. I don’t know
of many dogs that can do such amazing tricks.
The main idea?
a. Boots is my dog
b. Boots can sit
c. Boots is very smart.
d. Most dogs can’t dance
13. Peter’s parents bought a new carpet for the
living room. Now, he has to take his shoes off
when he enters the house. He’s also not
allowed to eat or drink in the living room any
more. Peter’s furry dog isn’t allowed to play
ball in there either. When his parents got the
new carpet, there were lots of new rules so the
carpet stays clean
What is the main idea?
a. Peter cannot go in the living room
b. Peter’s parents don’t like the carpet.
c. Peter likes to make a mess
d. Peter’s parents made new rules.
14. I can't wait until Saturday. We are going to a party.
It is a family reunion. I have a big family. So, there
will be a lot of people there. My grandparents will
be there. Four aunts and uncles will be there, too. I
have twelve cousins and ten can make it. We will
have a ball playing while the adults eat. There is
always great food. Everyone brings something to
share.
The main idea is?
a.
b.
c.
d.
The writer enjoys family reunions
Reunions are the best place for food
Reunions are boring
The writer is sad that all her cousins won’t be there
15. The frog sat on the side of the pond. He was
very still. His green color made him hard to
see. A bug flew near him. His tongue zipped
out, and he gobbled it up. Then the frog was
still again. He waited for the next bug.
What is the main idea?
a. Frogs are green
b. Frogs eat bugs
c. Frogs do not move
d. Frogs live in ponds
16.
Jon held the ball in his hands. He bounced it
slowly on the ground. Once. Twice. He
crouched low and then jumped. The ball flew
into the air. Up, up, up, it went. Then down,
down, down, into the basket. "Yes!" he yelled.
"Nothing but net!"
The main idea in this passage is:
a.
b.
c.
d.
How to throw a basketball
Jon could jump
Jon liked basketball
Jon makes a basket
17. Do you brush your teeth? You should do it
every day. Some kids like to use lots of
toothpaste. Some use only a little. Some kids
brush their teeth up and down. Others brush
from side to side. Which one is better? They
are both good. Don't forget to floss!
The main idea in this passage is:
a.
b.
c.
d.
You need to brush your teeth.
You need to floss your teeth.
You brush your teeth from side to side.
How do you brush your teeth?
18.
Yesterday was my birthday. When I woke up, I
noticed my brother Todd hung up a big sign that
said “Happy Birthday, Joey!” Mom made
spaghetti for dinner. It’s my favorite food in the
whole world. My friend Dave came over and
handed me a wrapped gift. I wondered what it
was. It was a new basketball! I had a great day.
What is the main idea?
a. Todd had a great birthday
b. Joey had a great birthday
c. Todd got lots of gifts.
d. Joey got lots of gifts.
19. Let me tell you about my great dog. My dog's
name is Mulligan. She is brown and black. She
weighs 25 pounds. She has long ears and a tail
with long hair. She follows me around the
house. I love her very much!
The main idea in this passage is:
a.
b.
c.
d.
The writer plays with his dog
Dogs are not fun
The dog is brown
The writer wants to tell you about his/her dog
Group Example
The big day had come at last. Mrs. Jones' third grade class
waited quietly for her to come into the room. They had
planned the party a week ago. Today Amy brought the
cupcakes, Joey brought the napkins, Carlos brought the
soda, and Katie brought the cups. Everyone wanted the
party to be a surprise. Mrs. Jones did not know the children
knew it was her birthday. When she came back into the
room, the children shouted, "Happy birthday, Mrs. Jones!"
And then the children got a surprise, too! Mrs. Jones had
brought everyone a party hat and ice cream!
What is the main idea?
a. Mrs. Jones likes ice cream
b. Carlos brought the soda
c. Everyone got a surprise
Group Example
Water can take many forms. We see water every day. We
see it at the beach. The Gulf of Mexico is liquid water!
Water can be hard as a rock. When it is frozen, water is ice.
You may have seen ice in a cup of soda. Frozen water, or ice
cubes, keep other liquids cool. When ice cubes melt, they
become liquid water again. If the pool of melted water is not
wiped up, it will disappear after some time. Do you know
where it goes? It becomes something else. It becomes water
vapor, or a gas, and disappears into the air. There is water
vapor in clouds. Water can be liquid, solid, or a gas.
What is the main idea?
a. Ice cubes are a solid form of water
b. Water can take many forms
c. Water is a liquid
Group Example
Some people believe that the word turtle is another word for
tortoise. They believe that the two words are names for the
same animal, but that is not true. Turtles and tortoises are
related, and they are both reptiles. However, there are
differences between these two animals. Most turtles live in
salt water and can swim. They have hard shells and flippers
for swimming. Tortoises usually live on land. Land tortoises
have legs instead of flippers so that they can move on land.
Sometimes tortoises live in fresh water, but not in salt water
like turtles. The tortoises which live in freshwater have
webbed feet and sharp claws so that they can move well in
water and on land, as well. Both turtles and tortoises hatch
from eggs and both can grow to be very large. Both animals
have been around since prehistoric times.
What is the main idea?
a. Turtles and tortoises are related animals, but have differences
b. Turtles are animals that have been around since prehistoric
times
c. Turtles and tortoises both have shells to protect their soft bodies
Table 1
Do you know that rules are everywhere? We have rules at home,
rules at school, rules at the store, and rules on the road! We have
rules for riding bikes, driving cars, flying airplanes, and even for
swimming. Why do we have so many rules? Well, for one thing,
rules help us know what to do. We know to stop at a red light and
to go when the light turns green. We know to use our indoor
voices in the lunchroom and save our outdoor voices for recess. At
the store we know the rule is to take our things to the checkout
lane before we leave the store! Rules help us do the right thing. We
know rules for fire safety. We know to dial 911 to report a fire or
to stop, drop, and roll if our clothes are on fire. We all know the
rule that we should never swim alone. Sometimes rules will change,
but they are almost always made to keep us safe and to help us get
along with others. Rules are important.
What is the main idea?
a. There are too many rules
b. Rules are important
c. Stop, drop, and roll is an important rule
Table 2
Lighthouses are important to sea travelers. They have been
used for thousands of years to warn ships that they are near
land or dangerous rocks. Lighthouses are towers built near
the shore or among the rocks. They have a bright beacon of
light shining from the top. Long ago metal baskets with
burning coal or wood were hung from poles at the top of the
lighthouse to produce the warning light. Today a very large
lens shaped like a barrel sends a beam of light far out to sea.
Sailors learn where lighthouses are located. Each lighthouse
has a special signal so that sailors can tell them apart. The
lighthouses help the sailors stay safely out to sea, and they
also help the sailors stay on course.
What is the main idea?
a. Sailors watch for light houses
b. Fire in a metal basket makes a good light
c. Light houses help sailors
Table 3
Plants add a lot to our world. Plants outdoors can make a
beautiful garden. They make a place for large and small
animals to make home. Plants indoors are pretty, too. In
the house live plants give off oxygen which people need
to breath. Maybe the most important thing about plants
is that you can eat them! Animals eat them, too! Think of
all the foods you eat in one day that comes from a plant.
The wheat that is in your cereal or bread is a plant! The
lettuce, tomato, and onion on your hamburger are plants!
The apples, bananas, and grapes in the fruit bowl come
from plants. Plants are wonderful! Do you have a
favorite plant food?
What is the main idea?
a. Flowers make a pretty garden
b. People and animals eat plants
c. Birds make their homes in trees
Table 4
In 1732 a person was born who would be important to the
United States of America. His name is George Washington.
He grew up in this country before it was a free country. He
played in the wilderness as a boy, and when he grew up he
was a leader in the Army that made America free. People
thought he was brave, honest, and smart. They asked him to
be the first President of the United States. Washington was
not sure if he should take the job of president at first. He
knew it was a hard job. However, Washington loved the new
United States of America, and so he did become the first
President of the United States on April 30, 1789. He was
president for eight years, from 1789 until 1797. He served
our country well.
What is the main idea?
a. Being president of the United States is a hard job.
b. George Washington was the first president of the United States
c. Washington played in the wilderness when he was a boy
Good Job!