Lesson: Main Idea and Summary Lesson Topic: Determine the main topic of a text Question 1: Hansel and Gretel must escape an evil witch in the forest. The Birthplace of Magical Tales Written by Krista Garver Do you remember the forest where Hansel and Gretel got lost? What about where Rapunzel was locked in a tower? That forest is a real place! It is called the Black Forest, and it is has been the inspiration for hundreds of famous magical tales. The Black Forest, in southwest Germany, is the setting of many fairy tales because it has a dark and mysterious feeling. It got its name because the trees grow so thick that sunlight can’t get through. It goes on for more than 100 miles and can seem endless for those traveling through. It is also full of streams, springs, and valleys, and there are very old castles and small villages. The Black Forest has long been thought of as enchanted, and there are many myths and legends surrounding it. Long ago, people would sit at their spinning wheels and tell each other stories. There were stories about sorcerers and wizards, werewolves, ghosts, and nymphs that lived in lakes and rivers. Now people all over the world know about these stories inspired by the Black Forest. In the 1800s, the famous Brothers Grimm from Germany published the legends for the world to read. In the last 100 years, famous filmmakers have turned these stories into popular children’s movies like Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. If you ever take a trip to the Black Forest, keep your eyes out for the mystical creatures that live among its trees. Maybe you will be lucky enough to find yourself in the middle of a mythical tale. After all, the Black Forest is truly a place where legends are born. Question 2: The Pied Piper Written by Marvin Ferraz Like many legends, “The Pied Piper of Hamelin” is probably a mixture of fact and fiction. The legend claims that, during the Middle Ages, a man dressed in colorful attire came to Hamelin, Germany and lured many children away from the town using a musical instrument called a pipe. Supposedly, the children were never seen again. However, there are many different explanations of what really happened in Hamelin and the source of the Pied Piper legend. Some people believe that the children died from natural causes, like diseases, during this time. There were many rats in Hamelin, and these rats spread diseases and plagues throughout the town that killed many children. Some people think the Piper might simply be a symbol for the diseases that took so many children’s lives. Others believe that the children were lost or died in a crusade or war. These people think the Piper may represent a man who recruited children from Hamelin to fight in a war or crusade. As with most legends, we may never know the truth. However, that certainly won’t stop people from creating new theories about this mysterious Piper and the disappearance of Hamelin’s children. Which is the main topic of this text? the plague that struck the town of Hamelin the different uses of pipe instruments the colorful clothing people used to wear the origins of the legend of the Pied Piper Question 3: Don't Wake Me Up Before I've Had My Coffee! Written by Juliana Sartor Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the world. There are records of coffee consumption that date back over 500 years. Many adults drink coffee in the morning to feel more awake. Coffee’s popularity is likely due to the fact that it contains caffeine. Caffeine is a drug with many qualities that affect humans. Caffeine is a stimulant, which means it makes people feel more awake. Some energy drinks and many sodas contain caffeine. If you have ever had a lot of soda, you might have felt a little more awake. This is the biggest reason people drink coffee. The caffeine gives them an extra push to start their day. This is a benefit of caffeine. However, caffeine is also addictive, which means your body and mind need it in order to function normally. Many people really cannot start their day without caffeine. If they try, they are tired and unfocused. This is a drawback of caffeine. Which is the main topic of this text? the popularity of coffee the process of addiction the effects of caffeine on humans the history of coffee Question 4: Reaching Out Across the Generation Gap Written By Marvin Ferraz Do you ever have a hard time communicating with your grandparents? When people from different generations—like your grandparents, your parents, and you—have a hard time communicating with one another, we call this the generation gap. The generation gap is mostly related to differences in technology and language. You probably have a lot of experience with electronics, including video games, cell phones, and computers. You probably don’t even remember learning how to use these things! On the other hand, your grandparents may have a hard time getting used to new technology, or they might even frown upon it. The technological difference creates another big difference: language. Think about the way you talk when you text. You probably use a lot of acronyms, like “LOL” or “BRB” to express yourself. New technology demands with it a new way of speaking. While you are fluent in this type of speech, your parents and grandparents are not. On the bright side, we are not powerless to stop this generation gap. If you make a genuine effort to really talk to your grandparents or really listen to your parents, you can see how alike you really are. Which is the main topic of this text? The generation gap is caused by technology and language differences. Your grandparents speak in a different language than you. You have much more experience with technology than your grandparents. The generation gap is impossible to overcome. Question 5: The Pied Piper Written by Marvin Ferraz Like many legends, “The Pied Piper of Hamelin” is probably a mixture of fact and fiction. The legend claims that, during the Middle Ages, a man dressed in colorful attire came to Hamelin, Germany and lured many children away from the town using a musical instrument called a pipe. Supposedly, the children were never seen again. However, there are many different explanations of what really happened in Hamelin and the source of the Pied Piper legend. Some people believe that the children died from natural causes, like diseases, during this time. There were many rats in Hamelin, and these rats spread diseases and plagues throughout the town that killed many children. Some people think the Piper might simply be a symbol for the diseases that took so many children’s lives. Others believe that the children were lost or died in a crusade or war. These people think the Piper may represent a man who recruited children from Hamelin to fight in a war or crusade. As with most legends, we may never know the truth. However, that certainly won’t stop people from creating new theories about this mysterious Piper and the disappearance of Hamelin’s children. Which is the thesis sentence of this text? However, there are many different explanations of what really happened in Hamelin and the source of the Pied Piper legend. Supposedly, the children were never seen again. Like many legends, “The Pied Piper of Hamelin” is probably a mixture of fact and fiction. Some people believe that the children died from natural causes, like diseases, during this time. Lesson Topic: Determine the main idea of paragraphs Question 1: Read the article below. Fireflies Flashing Together Adapted from NPS.gov Synchronous fireflies are one of at least 19 species, or types, of fireflies that live in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. They are the only species in America whose individuals can synchronize, or match, their flashing light patterns. During certain times each summer, visitors gather in Great Smoky Mountains National Park to get a glimpse of this show. Their light patterns are part of their mating display. Each species of firefly has a particular flash pattern that helps its male and female individuals recognize each other. Most species produce a greenish-yellow light; one species has a bluish light. The males fly and flash, and the usually stationary females respond with a flash. No one is sure why the fireflies flash synchronously. Competition between males may be one reason: they all want to be the first to flash. Or perhaps if the males all flash together they have a better chance of being noticed, and the females can make better comparisons. The mating season lasts for approximately two weeks each year. The dates that the fireflies begin to display varies from year to year—scientists haven't figured out why, but it depends at least in part on temperature and soil moisture. It's impossible to predict in advance exactly when the insects will begin flashing each year. Many people anxiously await the firefly display, and it can be difficult to reserve a spot to enter the park. For those who have the chance to see the light show, it is a beautiful and almost magical experience. Which is the main idea of the underlined paragraph? Competition between the fireflies is not important to mating. There are no possible explanations for why the fireflies flash together. There are a few guesses about why the fireflies flash together. There is one clear reason why the fireflies flash together.