Strategies in Understanding the Big Picture

What Is The Main Idea?

Students with Language delays often have trouble with understanding the main idea or the BIG Picture of what they read.

The main idea is the most important point the author is

trying to make.
It’s the “big picture”.

    TRY THESE STRATEGIES TO HELP!

*Try to summarize what you’ve read in one sentence that

includes what the reading was mostly about.

*Identify 3-5 important details from the reading and analyze them. Based on the information in these details, form one complete main idea.

*Pretend you have only 10 words to tell someone what

the chapter was about. You have to think broadly, so include only the most important details.

*Start by saying, "This chapter was MOSTLY about...." to help you get started.

Recommended Books to Read for January:

Snow Everywhere

The Snowy Day

The Snowman

Froggy Gets Dressed

The Old Man's Mitten

A Hat for Minerva Louise
Hugly Gets Dressed
Barney's Hat
I Love Snow