Minds On
What’s the main idea?
In the following snips of a TVOK News headline and transcript, Daniel is going to share a news story. Examine the image and use the following document ‘TVO Video Transcript’ to analyze the transcript.
Transcript: TVOK News: Dinosaur Footprints
(UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING)
Logo: TVO Kids News.
Daniel walks in the studio.
Daniel is in their twenties, with short curly brown hair and wears glasses, jeans, and a blue and gray TVO Kids T-shirt hooded sweatshirt.
WELCOME TO TVO K NEWS,
I'M YOUR NEWS ANCHOR, DANIEL,
AND HERE'S WHAT'S HAPPENING.
On a screen behind him appears a picture of a dinosaur footprint with the caption "Dino footprint found."
(DINOSAUR GROWLING)
Using the clues provided, what do you predict will be the main idea of this video segment? How do you know?
Record your ideas in an audio clip, in a notebook, on a computer, or in a discussion with a partner.
Action
Examining a transcript
In the Minds On section, you practiced making predictions about the TVOK News segment, "Dinosaur Footprints" using a video still and an excerpt from the video transcript. For this activity, you will access the full video transcript and compare your predictions to the content of the segment.
Press TVO.org to access the full video transcript for TVOK News Dinosaur Footprints.
TVO dot org (Opens in a new tab)As you access the full transcript, record your responses to the following questions in an audio clip, in a notebook, on a computer or through discussion with a partner:
Revisit your predictions and your reasons for your predictions.
- Were your predictions accurate?
- Why or why not?
- How would you describe the main idea of this news segment to a partner?
Student tips
Student tips
An article or nonfiction informational text uses the following features to communicate the main idea of the text:
- titles and headings that relate to the main idea
- images, diagrams, charts, graphs and/or maps that relate to the main idea
- words or phrases that repeat
- topic sentences of paragraphs (first sentence) would relate to the main idea
- opening and ending paragraphs would relate to the main idea
- supporting details throughout the text to support the main idea
What’s the main idea?
Explore the following article about the town of Temagami's hopes of saving a century-old soda brand. Use the text features to determine the main idea.
Press TVO.org to access Why this Ontario town is taking a pop at ginger ale.
TVO dot org (Opens in a new tab)Use the following fillable and printable document Article Features Table to organize your ideas. You can also complete this activity in your notebook or using the method of your choice.
| Text features that support the main idea | Found in Article |
|---|---|
| Titles and headings | |
| Images, diagrams, charts, graphs, and/or maps | |
| Words or phrases that repeat | |
| Topic sentences of paragraphs (first sentence) | |
| Opening and ending paragraphs | |
| Supporting details throughout the text |
Press the ‘Activity’ button to access Article Features Table.
Student Success
Think-Pair-Share
If possible, share your Article Features Table with a partner. Discuss the text features that were easier and more challenging to locate.
Note to teachers: See your teacher guide for collaboration tools, ideas and suggestions.
Consolidation
Show what you know
Select an article on a topic that you are familiar with, interests you, or you'd like to learn more about. (e.g., travel, history, sports, music). You may find it online, in your learning space, or at a library. Explore your selected text and identify the main idea and include supporting details directly from the text. You can use the following template to organize your ideas or another method of your choice.
| Text features that support the main idea | Found in Article |
|---|---|
| Titles and headings | |
| Images, diagrams, charts, graphs, and/or maps | |
| Words or phrases that repeat | |
| Topic sentences of paragraphs (first sentence) | |
| Opening and ending paragraphs | |
| Supporting details throughout the text |
Press the ‘Activity’ button to access Article Features Table.
Let’s reflect
Use the following questions to reflect on your learning:
- How does identifying main ideas help you as a reader?
- Describe your strategy for identify the main idea and support details in a text.
- What lessons have you learned in this activity that will make you a better reader?
You can record your responses using a method of your choice.
Reflection
As you read the following descriptions, select the one that best describes your current understanding of the learning in this activity. Press the corresponding button once you have made your choice.
I feel...
Now, expand on your ideas by recording your thoughts using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.
When you review your notes on this learning activity later, reflect on whether you would select a different description based on your further review of the material in this learning activity.