What's The Big Picture? Getting The Main Idea/Theme of The Selection

National Training on Literacy Instruction
What’s the Big Picture? Getting

the Main Idea/Theme of the
Selection
JEMUEL B. CASTILLO
TEACHER I
Learning Targets
1. Gain understanding of the

nature of Getting the Main Idea
as a Reading Skill
2. Identify the importance of

Getting the Main Idea
3.Explain how to get the Main

Idea
4. Differentiate Stated Main

Idea from Implied Main Idea
5. Demonstrate Explicit Teaching

strategy as a guide in teaching Main
Idea
6. Utilize appropriate literacy

strategies in teaching Getting the
Main Idea of a text
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Buzz Time: (3 minutes)
After reading the passage
assigned to your group, decide on
the topic sentence then state it
chorally once your turn comes.
Passage 1
One myth about exercise is that if a woman
lifts weights,she will develop muscles as large
as a man’s. Without extra male
hormones,however,a womancannot increase
her muscle bulk as much as a man’s.Another
misconception about exercise is that it
increases the apetite.Actually, a regular
exercise stabilizes the blood-sugar level, which
prevents hunger pains.Some people also think
that a few minutes of exercise a day or one
session is enough,but atleast three solid
workouts a week are neededfor muscular and
cardiovascular health.
Passage 2
Why Infants Cry
To many parents, the infant's crying may be mainly
an irritation, especially if it continues for long
periods. But crying serves important functions for
the child as well as for the parents. For the child,
crying helps improve lung capacity and the
respiratory system. Perhaps more important, the
cry serves as a signal of distress. When babies cry,
they indicate that they are hungry or in pain, and
this is important information for parents.
Source: https://www.ccis.edu/offices/academicresources/writingcenter/studyskills/textbookreadingstrategies/findingthemainidea.aspx
Passage 3
We’re often told “ He who hesitates is
lost,” but we’re also warned to “look
before you leap.” Most of us have heard
the saying,”Out of sight,out of mind,” but
then we hear “ Absence makes the heart
grow fonder.”Everyone talks about “love
at first sight.”But then someone reminds
us,”Marry in haste,repent at leisure.”It’s
all very confusing.
Passage 4
The physical environment of a classroom is extremely
important because it can influence the way teachers
and students feel, think, and behave. If a student feels
pressured, under stress, unhappy, or unsafe, it would be
impossible for her or him to learn the lessons planned
by the educator. Likewise, if a teacher feels unhappy or
disorganized because of the classroom's lack of order
or detail, the ability for her to teach is greatly
diminished. The environment of a classroom serves four
basic functions: security, social contact, pleasure, and
growth. For real learning and teaching to take place, all
four of those needs must be met by the class space.
Source: Kelly C. Roell http://testprep.about.com
What is a main idea?

The main idea
is the central point
or thought
the author wants
to communicate
to readers.
Flemming, Loraine (2011)
Why is it important?
▪Finding the main
idea is a key to
understanding what
you read.
The main idea ties

all of the sentences
in the paragraph or
article together.
Why it is important?
▪Ithelps to
understand the
point the writer
attempts to
express.
How to find the Main Idea

□Find the topic first.
You have to know the topic

before you can determine
the main idea.
Preview your text and ask

yourself:
What or who is
the article about?

□Ask yourself.
1. What does the
author want me
to know about
the topic?
2. What is the
author teaching
me about the
topic?

□ You can answer
this by finding the
idea that is
common to most
of the text or what
opinion all the
parts support.

□ Look for a sentence
that states the main
idea.
Read the first and
last sentences of the
paragraph.
Authors often state
the main idea near
the beginning or end
of a paragraph.

□ Pay attention to any idea
that is repeated in
different ways.
If an author returns
to the same thought in
several different
sentences (or
paragraphs), that idea
is the main or central
thought under
discussion.
□ Look for a sentence that states the main idea.

When the author stated the main idea directly, it is called
a stated main idea. A stated main idea is a sentence found in
the reading passage which states the topic and the main point
or points being made about that topic.
□ Use the MAIN-I Strategy (Boudah, 2016)

Make the topic known
Accent at least two essential details
Ink out the clarifying details
Notice how the essential details are related
Infer the main idea
How to test the sentence you have

identified as the stated main idea?
□ When you think you
have located a stated
main idea sentence,
see if it meets these
criteria:
1. The sentence
contains the topic.
How to test the sentence you have

identified as the stated main idea?
2. The sentence tells

the author’s most
important point about
the topic.
3. The sentence makes

complete sense by
itself.
What if the main idea is not

directly stated ?
At times, the main idea will not be stated

directly. This is called an implied main
idea.
An implied main idea is

the overall point the
author is trying to make,
but it is only suggested by
the supporting details and
not clearly stated in one
sentence.
As there will not

be a topic
sentence, the
reader is
responsible for
composing a
statement of the
main idea.
How to identify the Implied

Main Idea
□ Think of a general statement
that could sum up the
specifics as effectively as any
stated topic sentence.
Read all of the specific

statements, not just the ones
that open the paragraphs.
Pay attention to any idea that

is repeated in different ways.

Main Idea
□ An implied main idea
answers the same two basic
questions as a stated main
idea:
1. Who or what did I just read

about?
2. What was the main point or

points made by the author?
How to identify the Implied Main Idea
□ Once you feel sure that

you have found the
main idea, test it.
Write the main idea.

It must be a
complete sentence
that contains a
subject and a verb
and expresses a
complete thought.

Main Idea
□ Ask yourself if the
sentence could act as a
summary of the other
sentences in the paragraph.
Do the examples, reasons,

and facts included in the
reading explain or give
evidence supporting the
main idea you have in mind?
Location of the Main Idea
□ The main idea in

a passage can
appear
anywhere in a
paragraph.
Teaching Getting the Main Idea through

Explicit Teaching
Application
Independent
Practice
Guided Practice
Modeling/
Teaching
Introduction
Text Detective on Stated Main Idea

What I Need to do What I am Looking for What I Found
Read the Text first sentence

middle sentence
last sentence
clues
Find the title

picture
topic of the passage
focus of the passage
important idea of the
passage

What I need to do Questions My Answer
Ask my self What does the author want

me to know about the
topic?
Where did I find that clue?
How did I know?
What other clues helped
me?
Why did I think that was
important?
What I need to do What I am Looking for What I Found
Look for the main idea
Paragraph 1: Stated Main Idea
What is motion? Consider a ball that you notice one

morning in the middle of a lawn. Later in the
afternoon, you notice that the ball is at the edge of the
lawn, against a fence, and you wonder if the wind or
some person moved the ball. You do not know if the
wind blew it at a steady rate, if many gusts of wind
moved it, or even if some children kicked it all over the
yard. All you know for sure is that the ball has been
moved because it is in a different position after some
time passed. These are the two important aspects of
motion: (1) a change of position and (2) the passage
of time.
Source: https://www.mpc.edu/home/showdocument?id=12790
Paragraph 1: Stated Main Idea
What is motion? Consider a ball that you notice one

morning in the middle of a lawn. Later in the
afternoon, you notice that the ball is at the edge of the
lawn, against a fence, and you wonder if the wind or
some person moved the ball. You do not know if the
wind blew it at a steady rate, if many gusts of wind
moved it, or even if some children kicked it all over the
yard. All you know for sure is that the ball has been
moved because it is in a different position after some
time passed. These are the two important aspects of
motion: (1) a change of position and (2) the passage
of time.
Source: https://www.mpc.edu/home/showdocument?id=12790

Read the Text first sentence It is about motion

middle sentence If the wind moved the ball or
children kicked it
last sentence change of position and
passage of time
clues about motion
Find the title none

picture none
topic of the passage The topic is about motion
focus of the passage The focus is about motion
important idea of the motion
passage

What I need to do Questions My Answer
Ask my self What does the author want The topic is motion and the
me to know about the paragraph describes a ball being
moved over time.
topic?
Where did I find that clue? I found it in the last sentence
How did I know? It was stated in the paragraph
What other clues helped The other sentences repeat

me? “moved” and “time.” The last
sentence includes both of those
ideas
Why did I think that was I read the paragraph to see if the
important? last sentence could act as a
summary of the other sentences
and if the example explains the
main idea. It does.
What I need to do What I Found
Look for the main idea Stated main idea: “These are the two important aspects of motion: (1) a
change of position and (2) the passage of time.”

Sentence 1 is actually the start of an article. Not only is the sentence a
stated main idea and the topic sentence of the paragraph, but it is also the
thesis for an article that explains how position and time equal motion.
Text Detective on Implied Main Idea

specific statements, not just

Read the Text the ones that open the
paragraphs.
idea that is repeated in
different ways
general statement that could
sum up the specifics as
effectively as any stated topic
sentence
What is this paragraph about?
Ask my self
Who or what is the focus of the
source?
What is most important about
it?
What does the author want me
to know about the topic?

What I Need to do What I Have
Write the key words or

phrases. The words
must convey the main
idea of the passage.

What I Need to do Implied Main Idea
Using the key words, write the

implied main idea of the passage.
Imagine you have P200.00 and that
each word you use is worth P10.00.
Use the words appropriately.
What I Need to do Question Response
Test the main idea by answering the Could a sentence act as a summary
questions of the other sentences in the
paragraph?
Are you sure that none of the

sentences contradict your general
statement?
Do the examples, reasons, and facts
included in the reading explain or
give evidence supporting the main
idea you have in mind?
Paragraph 2: Implied Main Idea
Few Great Questions of People

All people are concerned about a few great questions: the
existence of God, the purpose of life, the existence of an
afterlife, and morality. About the first, science has nothing to
say: no test tube has either proved or disproved God’s
existence. As to the purpose of life, although science can
provide a definition of life and describe the characteristics of
living organisms, it has nothing to say about ultimate purpose.
Regarding an afterlife, science can offer no information, for it
has no tests that it can use to detect a “hereafter.” As for the
question of morality, science can demonstrate the
consequences of behavior but not the moral superiority of one
action compared with another. Science cannot even prove that
loving your family and neighbor is superior to hurting and
killing them.
Paragraph 2: Implied Main Idea

All people are concerned about a few great questions: the
existence of God, the purpose of life, the existence of an afterlife,
and morality. About the first, science has nothing to say: no test
tube has either proved or disproved God’s existence. As to the
purpose of life, although science can provide a definition of life
and describe the characteristics of living organisms, it has
nothing to say about ultimate purpose. Regarding an afterlife,
science can offer no information, for it has no tests that it can use
to detect a “hereafter.” As for the question of morality, science
can demonstrate the consequences of behavior but not the
moral superiority of one action compared with another. Science
cannot even prove that loving your family and neighbor is
superior to hurting and killing them.

Read the Text specific statements, not just a few great questions: the existence of
the ones that open the God, the purpose of life, the existence
of an afterlife, and morality.
paragraphs.
idea that is repeated in Science, purpose of life, ultimate
different ways purpose
general statement that could All people are concerned about a few
sum up the specifics as great questions
effectively as any stated topic
sentence
Ask my self What is this paragraph about? It is about science and great human
concerns
Who or what is the focus of the The four main concerns that all people
source? have.
What is most important about That science cannot tell us about the
it? main concerns that all people have.
What does the author want me The author wants me to know that
to know about the topic? science cannot tell us about the main
concerns that all people have.

What I Need to do What I Have
Write the key words or main questions science four tell

phrases. The words
must convey the main tell alone purpose existence morality
idea of the passage.
God life afterlife cannot people
about hereafter people concern say


What I Need to do Implied Main Idea
Write the Science alone cannot tell us about the four main
concerns that all people have.
What I Need to do Question Response
Test the main idea by Could a sentence act as a yes

summary of the other
answering the questions
sentences in the paragraph?
Are you sure that none of the yes

sentences contradict your
general statement?
Do the examples, reasons, and yes
facts included in the reading
explain or give evidence
supporting the main idea you
have in mind?
Teaching Getting the Main Idea through

Explicit Teaching
Application
Independent
Practice
Guided Practice
Modeling/
Teaching
Introduction
Passage 1
Fast Food
Fast food may taste good but it is not good for you.
You should not eat it very often. This food does not
have the vitamins and nutrients that you need.
Healthy food will help you grow strong and healthy.
There are extra calories and fat in fast food. Fast
food restaurant also give you servings that are too
big. Every once in a while, it is fun to go out and
have a fast food meal. In order to stay healthy,
these meals should not be eaten all the time.
Choose a healthier food to keep a healthy diet.
Source: https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/387731849168141492/?nic=1a
Passage 2
School Worksheets
The original intention of a school worksheet was intelligent: to
discover which students didn’t understand the reading lesson, so the
teacher could work with them individually. Unfortunately, the teacher
had to keep the rest of the class busy while doing that, so more
worksheets were passed out. The assessment tool soon turned into
a crowd control device. To make matters worse, the worksheets
multiplied faster than the loaves and fishes, often reaching 1,000 per
child per school year. But research shows no connection between
the number of worksheets a student does and how good a reader the
child eventually becomes. If you’re fed reading as six worksheets a
day, 1,000 sheets a year, under the pronouncement, “Boys and girls,
it’s time for reading,” by the time you reach fourth grade you think
worksheets are reading, and you mistakenly think you hate reading.
Generalization
.
Passage 1
One myth about exercise is that if a woman lifts
weights,she will develop muscles as large as a
man’s. Without extra male hormones,however,a
womancannot increase her muscle bulk as
much as a man’s.Another misconception about
exercise is that it increases the apetite.Actually,
a regular exercise stabilizes the blood-sugar
level, which prevents hunger pains.Some
people also think that a few minutes of exercise
a day or one session is enough,but atleast
three solid workouts a week are neededfor
muscular and cardiovascular health.
Passage 2
Why Infants Cry
To many parents, the infant's crying may be mainly
an irritation, especially if it continues for long
periods. But crying serves important functions for
the child as well as for the parents. For the child,
crying helps improve lung capacity and the
respiratory system. Perhaps more important, the
cry serves as a signal of distress. When babies cry,
they indicate that they are hungry or in pain, and
this is important information for parents.
Source: https://www.ccis.edu/offices/academicresources/writingcenter/studyskills/textbookreadingstrategies/findingthemainidea.aspx
Passage 3
We’re often told “ He who hesitates is
lost,” but we’re also warned to “look
before you leap.” Most of us have heard
the saying,”Out of sight,out of mind,” but
then we hear “ Absence makes the heart
grow fonder.”Everyone talks about “love
at first sight.”But then someone reminds
us,”Marry in haste,repent at leisure.”It’s
all very confusing.
Passage 4
The physical environment of a classroom is extremely
important because it can influence the way teachers
and students feel, think, and behave. If a student feels
pressured, under stress, unhappy, or unsafe, it would be
impossible for her or him to learn the lessons planned
by the educator. Likewise, if a teacher feels unhappy or
disorganized because of the classroom's lack of order
or detail, the ability for her to teach is greatly
diminished. The environment of a classroom serves four
basic functions: security, social contact, pleasure, and
growth. For real learning and teaching to take place, all
four of those needs must be met by the class space.
Source: Kelly C. Roell http://testprep.about.com
What does research say?

□Problems faced in finding the
main idea
1.lack of students interest
2.lack of vocabulary knowledge
3.length of the paragraph
4.poor reading strategy
5.text complexity
6.ignorance of paragraph component
Sutarsyah, C., & Suparman, U. (2014). An analysis of students’ problems
in finding main idea of reading text. U-JET, 3(7).
Personal Development Plan

Area of Concern Strategies/Activities Monitoring and Timeline
Evaluation Scheme
1. Lack of students’
interest
2. Lack of
vocabulary
knowledge
3. Length of the
paragraph
4. Poor reading
strategy
5. Text complexity
6. Ignorance of
paragraph
component

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National Training on Literacy Instruction

What’s the Big Picture? Getting

1. Gain understanding of the

2. Identify the importance of

3.Explain how to get the Main

4. Differentiate Stated Main

5. Demonstrate Explicit Teaching

6. Utilize appropriate literacy

What is a main idea?

The main idea ties

How to find the Main Idea

You have to know the topic

Preview your text and ask

How to find the Main Idea

How to find the Main Idea

How to find the Main Idea

How to find the Main Idea

How to find the Main Idea

□ Look for a sentence that states the main idea.

How to find the Main Idea

□ Use the MAIN-I Strategy (Boudah, 2016)

How to test the sentence you have

How to test the sentence you have

2. The sentence tells

3. The sentence makes

What if the main idea is not

At times, the main idea will not be stated

An implied main idea is

As there will not

How to identify the Implied

Read all of the specific

Pay attention to any idea that

How to identify the Implied

1. Who or what did I just read

2. What was the main point or

How to identify the Implied Main Idea

□ Once you feel sure that

Write the main idea.

How to identify the Implied

Do the examples, reasons,

Location of the Main Idea

□ The main idea in

Teaching Getting the Main Idea through

Text Detective on Stated Main Idea

Read the Text first sentence

Find the title

Text Detective on Stated Main Idea

Ask my self What does the author want

Paragraph 1: Stated Main Idea

What is motion? Consider a ball that you notice one

Paragraph 1: Stated Main Idea

What is motion? Consider a ball that you notice one

Text Detective on Stated Main Idea

Read the Text first sentence It is about motion

Find the title none

Text Detective on Stated Main Idea

How did I know? It was stated in the paragraph