© 2002 Addison Wesley Educational Publishers, Inc.

Chapter 3:Main Ideas/

Learning and Education

PowerPoint by JoAnn Yaworski, 2001

Joining a Community of Readers: A Thematic Approach to Reading, 2/e

Roberta Alexander & Jan Lombardi

© 2002 Addison Wesley Educational Publishers, Inc.

Improving Reading Skills

• Identify Topics

• Identify Main Ideas

• Identify Thesis Statements

© 2002 Addison Wesley Educational Publishers, Inc.

Recognizing the Topic

• Ask “What is this reading about?”

• Look for a key word or phrase that describes the focus of the article.

• Look for a key word or phrase that is repeated throughout the reading.

© 2002 Addison Wesley Educational Publishers, Inc.

Distinguishing Between the Topic and the Main Idea

• Ask yourself “What did the reading say about the topic?”

• The main idea is a complete sentence.

• The main idea sentence is a broad, general statement of the main point of the reading.

© 2002 Addison Wesley Educational Publishers, Inc.

Main Ideas at the Beginning

• Topic and main idea in first or second sentence of paragraph or passage

• Easier for reader to understand

• Following sentences explain main idea in more detail

Main Idea

© 2002 Addison Wesley Educational Publishers, Inc.

Main Idea in the Middle

• Sometimes the main idea is stated in the middle.

• Details are presented before and after the main idea.

Main Idea

Supporting Details

Supporting Details

© 2002 Addison Wesley Educational Publishers, Inc.

Main Idea at the End

• Main idea is at the end when a writer is arguing a point.

• The facts presented first.• The conclusions or suggestions presented at

the end.

Fact

Fact

Fact

Conclusion

(Main Idea)

© 2002 Addison Wesley Educational Publishers, Inc.

Identifying the Thesis Statement

• Short essays are organized around a single main idea.

• The main idea of an essay is called a thesis statement.

• The thesis statement is usually at the beginning, but could be at the end.

© 2002 Addison Wesley Educational Publishers, Inc.

“Building a Better Brain”by Daniel Golden

• Read “Building a Better Brain” in Chapter 3 of your textbook.

• What does the statement “the brain works a lot like a muscle” mean?

• What do brain researchers suggest we do to make our brains grow?

• What types of activities strengthen our minds?

© 2002 Addison Wesley Educational Publishers, Inc.

“In Praise of the F Word” by Mary Sherry

• Read “In Praise of the F Word” by Mary Sherry in Chapter 3.

• How does Sherry suggest teachers get the attention of students who can’t concentrate?

• What is the thesis of this reading?• Do you think fear of failure is a good way

to motivate students? • What effect does passing students who

aren’t qualified have on them?

© 2002 Addison Wesley Educational Publishers, Inc.

“The Problems of Our Schools”by Jerome Skolnick and Elliott Currie

• Read “The Problems of Our Schools: Myths and Reality” in Chapter 3.

• What is the topic and thesis statement?

• What are some positive achievements of American pubic schools?

• According to Skolnick and Currie, what are the real problems that U.S. public schools face?

© 2002 Addison Wesley Educational Publishers, Inc.

“Broaden Your Perspective” by Vincent Ryan Ruggiero

• Read “Broaden Your Perspective” by V.R. Ruggiero in Chapter 3.

• What does the author think was the reason for the students’ gains in the elementary school experience?

• Who are four people that refused to “define themselves by other people’s assessments”?

© 2002 Addison Wesley Educational Publishers, Inc.

“Aztec Education on the Eve of the Spanish Conquest”

by Enrique Davalos

• Read the above selection on Aztec education from Chapter 3.

• What were the two different kinds of schools that the Aztecs had?

• In what ways were the Telpochcalli similar to our universities?

• What was the consequence of the Spaniard’s dismantling of Aztec schools?

© 2002 Addison Wesley Educational Publishers, Inc.

Web sites on Learning & Education

• Rethinking Schools (http://www.rethinkingschools.org)

• Center for Public School Renewal (http://comnet.org/cpsr)

• Coalition of Essential Schools (CES) (http://www.essentialschools.org)

© 2002 Addison Wesley Educational Publishers, Inc.

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