The document discusses the difference between main ideas and supporting details in paragraphs and articles. The main idea is the most important point the author makes about the topic, while supporting details provide additional information to explain the main idea. Some examples are provided to demonstrate distinguishing statements of main ideas versus supporting details related to facts about U.S. presidents.

1. Main Idea

5. Main Idea Supporting Detail Supporting Detail Supporting Detail

6. Think about the story statements that follow. Decide which is a main idea and which is a supporting detail. Main Idea Supporting Detail

7. Main Idea Supporting Detail There are bad things about being President. The President always has to be dressed up.

8. Main Idea Supporting Detail Someone once threw a cabbage at William Howard Taft. People get mad at the President.

9. Main Idea Supporting Detail If you want to be President, your size doesn’t matter. James Madison was only one hundred pounds.

10. Main Idea Supporting Detail They even had a Shetland pony called Algonquin. Theodore Roosevelt’s children practically ran a zoo.

11. Main Idea Supporting Detail Almost any job can lead to the White House. Ronald Reagan was a movie actor.

12. Main Idea Supporting Detail Being President can be wanting to serve your country. George Washington left his Virginia plantation three times to lead and serve the country he loved.

13. Main Idea Supporting Detail John Kennedy sent Peace Corps volunteers around the globe to teach and help others. Some Presidents do things to make the world a better place.

14. Remember to identify main ideas and supporting details as you read!