Every paragraph is trying to tell you one thing. Sometimes the writer says it outright, and sometimes you have to put it together yourself.
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Students will learn that the main idea is the most important thing a writer has to say, tell a stated main idea from an implied one, state an implied main idea in their own words, check it against the supporting details, and apply all of it to Booker T. Washington's account of his first days at school.
The main idea of a paragraph is what all of its sentences add up to. A stated main idea is a sentence you can point to, and an implied one is a sentence the student has to write.
A good main idea fits every detail. If it covers only one, it's too narrow, and if it could sit on top of any paragraph on the topic, it's too broad.
Choosing a detail instead of the main idea. The cap is a detail, and the point about not pretending to be what you aren't is the main idea.
Looking for a sentence that doesn't exist. An implied main idea isn't on the page, so the student has to put it together and say it.
Choose a short paragraph from anything the student is reading and have them cover it up and say its main idea out loud first, then find the sentence that says it, if there is one. The written task at the end of the lesson is the same exercise on paper.
Washington was born into slavery in 1856 and was free when he started school in West Virginia. The lesson says this in one line before the excerpt, and it's added from the historical record.
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Before You Start
The words this lesson uses. Tap a card to see what it means, then come back to them whenever a question uses one.
Part One
Questions about the story you just read. Pick your answer straight off, or press Find it in the story if you would rather hunt for the sentence first.
Part Two
The word cards are at the top of this page. Look back at them as often as you need, then answer.