The document provides a lesson on determining the central idea of a text. It explains that the central idea is what the text is mostly about. To identify the central idea, one should ask who or what the text is about, and what the author says about that topic. The central idea should contain the topic and the author's main point about that topic, while summarizing what the text is mostly discussing.

1. What is the central idea of “The Little Owls That
Live Underground?”

2. In this lesson you will learn to
determine the central idea of a text
by determining the topic and asking
what the author says about it.

3. Let’s Review
• Author is John Moir
• Nonfiction
Informational Article
• Moir uses facts,
anecdotes, and
interviews to convey
his message

4. Let’s Review
Central Idea = What the text is
mostly about.

5. Core Lesson
Ask, “Who or what is the text about?”1
2 Ask, “What does the author say about it?”
3 Prove your central idea by showing how it is
supported in the text.

6. Core Lesson
Criteria for Strong Central Idea:
Contains the topic of the text
Contains the author’s main point about the
topic
Summarizes what the text is mostly about

7. Core Lesson
Mostly About= Burrowing
owls
• This is included in the
title “The Little
Owls…”
• The example study,
facts, endangered
species list, and stories
are all about burrowing
owls
Who or what is the text
about?

8. Core Lesson
What about
burrowing owls?
• Habitat
destruction
• Status as
endangered in
some locations
What does the author
say about it?

9. Core Lesson What does the author
say about it?
What about burrowing owls?
• Number of owls
• Habitat destruction
• Conservation efforts
• Simplicity around saving the
owl
John Moir is saying
that the burrowing owl
can and should be
saved…

10. Core Lesson
Central Idea:
The central idea is that burrowing owls are unique
creatures, whose environment and livelihood can and
should be protected.

11. Core Lesson Can I prove it with
evidence?
Infer: Moir thinks the
owls are interesting.
Infer: Moir’s questions
illustrates his belief
that the owls are both
worth saving and able
to be saved.

12. Core Lesson
Can I prove it with
evidence?
Moir is using
someone else’s
opinion— the owls
are worth saving—to
support his own
central idea.

13. Core Lesson What is the central idea of the
“Little Owls That Live
Underground?”
The central idea of “The Little Owls That Live
Underground” is that burrowing owls are unique
creatures, whose environment and livelihood can and
should be protected. I know this is the central idea
because Moir states his beliefs at the beginning of the
text, and he uses an anecdote at the end that reaffirms
his claim.

14. Core Lesson
Ask, “Who or what is the text about?”1
2 Ask, “What does the author say about it?”
3 Prove your central idea by showing how it is
supported in the text.

15. In this lesson you have learned to
determine the central idea of a text
by determining the topic and asking
what does the author say about it.