Main Idea

A main idea of a paragraph is what the paragraph is mostly or mainly about. When you read the paragraph everything in it should tie in to one topic.
Multiple choice questions
I have tough the 5th graders to read each answer choice and then go back to the paragraph and underline everything dealing with that answer choice. Erase and do the same for each answer choice. Does this take a lot of time? Yes, but it is worth getting the right answer! There are other ways and some student can just read it and know the answer.
Fill in the blank questions or labeling
Ask yourself what is the topic(who or what is it about)
then ask yourself the _______ has what?
_______ is what
_______ does what?

Then you have your main idea:)
For label paragraphs you do not need a complete sentence, just a phrase or group of words.

Please feel free to email me your questions:) bushcrabtree@yahoo.com or on the comment section.
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