Theme vs. Main Idea

Theme or main idea?

Treat others like you want to be treated.

One summer, a grasshopper watched the ants work all day and all night storing seeds for the winter. "How boring," he said. "I will never work all day, I only want to play!" When winter came, the grasshopper looked and looked for food, but there was none around. He asked the ants for some food, but they told him that they worked hard for their food and they would not share any.

What's the THEME?

An octopus isn't fast enough to swim after a fish. The octopus must wait for a fish to swim by.  When the fish comes within reach, the octopus whips out his long arm to grasp it.  Then the octopus has a tasty meal.  

What is the main idea?

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, into the basket.  “Yes!” he yelled.  “Nothing but net!”

What's the main idea?

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, into the basket.  “Yes!” he yelled.  “Nothing but net!”

Which sentence (supporting detail) shows us that Jon making a basket is the main idea?

I can't wait until this weekend! We’re going to my grandparents’ house and my entire family will be there. I will spend most of my time playing games with my cousins. We always have such a good time together! The day goes by so fast, and by the end we are all exhausted... but we still don’t want to leave!

What is the main idea?