The main idea is what a section, chapter, or text is mostly about.

You can determine the main idea by looking at key details in the text.

There can be more than one main idea in a text.


Knowing the main ideas in a text can help you to summarize it well.

​

​Main Ideas

Today we will read pages 24-29.

As you read, think about the following questions:

• What are the main ideas in the text?

• What evidence from the text supports those ideas?

​

​A Material World: What is Matter?

​Main Ideas of the Text

You worked with Jonah in earlier lessons. Now, you will help him use the RACES strategy to summarize one of the main ideas in A Material World: What Is Matter?.

​

​Summarize

Jonah has decided to summarize how matter changes.

First, he looks at the table of contents to find where changing matter was taught in the text.

Then, Jonah rereads those pages.

​

The important details Jonah has identified are:

• temporary change;

• permanent change; and

• chemical change.

​Jonah refers back to the RACES strategy to check the next step.

Jonah continues his summary.

Jonah pauses to reread his summary to make sure he has cited evidence and provided examples. Now, he is ready to finish his summary.

The way matter changes is one of the main ideas in this text.

-Get a drink/snack
-Get up/Move Around/Stretch
-Use the bathroom
-Get ready for Writing

​