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Reading Comprehension 2.3

Connecting and Clarifying Main Ideas

Learning Objective

We will connect and clarify main ideas by identifying their relationships to other sources and related topics.

Check for Understanding

What are we going to do today?

What will we connect and clarify?

Prior Knowledge

Main Idea: The main idea is the most important thing a writer has to say about the topic or subject. The main idea answers the question “What about it?” What about love, dogs, or growing up?

Concept Development

Clarify:– to make (an idea, statement, etc.) clear or

understandable – to free the mind from confusionIdentifying: – to indicate or recognize who or what

(someone or something) isRelationship:– the way in which two or more concepts,

objects, or people are connected

Concept Development

Source:– A book, statement, person, article,

etc. that supplies information.– A place from which something comes

or is obtained; origin.

Connecting:– To show similarities or differences

between sources.

Importance 7

Importance

Identifying the main idea of a passage can help you comprehend your reading. It will be tested on the CST.It is fun to see how sources are related.______________________________________________________________________

Skill Development 8

1. First, read the paragraph and focus on the main idea. What is it about?

2. Next, find and underline the evidence in the paragraph to support the main idea.

3. Then, ask yourself “What is the best way to connect the main ideas within the passage?”

4. Finally, ask yourself “Where would this passage most likely be found? What type of source would it be found in based on the main idea?”

Steps to Finding the Main Idea

Skill Development 9

  

One hundred viruses placed side by side would be no wider than a human hair. But these germs cause more than fifty diseases. Chicken pox, colds, and rabies are all caused by viruses. More than 21 million people have died from the flu caused by these germs. Scientists are seeking ways to get rid of these tiny killers.

1. What is the passage mostly about? a) Tiny viruses cause deadly diseases. b) Many people die from the flu. c) Chicken pox is caused by a virus.d) Many people have died from viruses.

Guided Practice

Skill Development 10

  

One hundred viruses placed side by side would be no wider than a human hair. But these germs cause more than fifty diseases. Chicken pox, colds, and rabies are all caused by viruses. More than 21 million people have died from the flu caused by these germs. Scientists are seeking ways to get rid of these tiny killers.

2. Which of the following books would be the best choice for learning more about the main idea presented in this article? a) Science Overviewb) The Complete Book of Experiments c) Unseen Killers: Virusesd) Chicken Pox Handbook

Guided Practice

Guided Practice

   Plant experts in Bolivia have found some odd potato plants. The potato leaves make a sticky glue. Insects walk on the plant, get caught, and starve. Scientists want to breed more potatoes with these sticky leaves. Farmers would be able to grow potatoes and not have to spray their plants with chemicals to get rid of insects. 3. What is the passage mostly about? a) Insects are caught by potato plants.b) Potato plants grow in Bolivia.c) A special potato plant may be helpful to farmers.d) Chemical sprays help to kill insects.

Guided Practice

   Plant experts in Bolivia have found some odd potato plants. The potato leaves make a sticky glue. Insects walk on the plant, get caught, and starve. Scientists want to breed more potatoes with these sticky leaves. Farmers would be able to grow potatoes and not have to spray their plants with chemicals to get rid of insects. 4. Which of the following sources would provide the best evidence to support the ideas in this paragraph?a) A book about the history of potato plants.b) An editorial calling for more funding to study this sticky glue. c) A current events newspaper article of world news.d) A novel about life in Bolivia.

Closure

What is a main idea?

What is a source?

How do you connect and clarify main ideas?

Independent Practice

Independent Practice Worksheet

Small-group reteaching

Thank you for reading your AR book if you finish early.