Chapter 3: Main Ideas/ Learning and Education Joining

Chapter 3: Main Ideas/ Learning and Education Joining a Community of Readers: A Thematic Approach to Reading, 2/e Roberta Alexander & Jan Lombardi PowerPoint by JoAnn Yaworski, 2001 2002 Addison Wesley Educational Improving Reading Skills

Identify Topics Identify Main Ideas Identify Thesis Statements 2002 Addison Wesley Educational Recognizing the Topic Ask What is this reading about? Look for a key word or phrase that describes the focus of the article. Look for a key word or phrase that

is repeated throughout the reading. 2002 Addison Wesley Educational Distinguishing Between the Topic and the Main Idea Ask yourself What did the reading say about the topic? The main idea is a complete sentence. The main idea sentence is a broad, general statement of the main point of

the reading. 2002 Addison Wesley Educational Main Ideas at the Beginning Main Idea Topic and main idea in first or second sentence of paragraph or passage Easier for reader to understand Following sentences explain main idea in more detail 2002 Addison Wesley Educational

Main Idea in the Middle Sometimes the main idea is stated in the middle. Details are presented before and after the main idea. Supporting Details Main Idea Supporting Details 2002 Addison Wesley Educational Main Idea at the End

Main idea is at the end when a writer is arguing a point. The facts presented first. The conclusions or suggestions presented at the end. Fact Fact Fact Conclusi on (Main Idea)

2002 Addison Wesley Educational Identifying the Thesis Statement Short essays are organized around a single main idea. The main idea of an essay is called a thesis statement. The thesis statement is usually at the beginning, but could be at the end.

2002 Addison Wesley Educational Building a Better Brain by Daniel Golden Read Building a Better Brain in Chapter 3 of your textbook. What does the statement the brain works a lot like a muscle mean? What do brain researchers suggest we do to make our brains grow? What types of activities strengthen our minds?

2002 Addison Wesley Educational In Praise of the F Word by Mary Sherry Read In Praise of the F Word by Mary Sherry in Chapter 3. How does Sherry suggest teachers get the attention of students who cant concentrate? What is the thesis of this reading? Do you think fear of failure is a good way

to motivate students? What effect does passing students who arent qualified have on them? 2002 Addison Wesley Educational The Problems of Our Schools by Jerome Skolnick and Elliott Currie Read The Problems of Our Schools: Myths and Reality in Chapter 3. What is the topic and thesis statement? What are some positive achievements

of American pubic schools? According to Skolnick and Currie, what are the real problems that U.S. public schools face? 2002 Addison Wesley Educational Broaden Your Perspective by Vincent Ryan Ruggiero Read Broaden Your Perspective by V.R. Ruggiero in Chapter 3. What does the author think was the

reason for the students gains in the elementary school experience? Who are four people that refused to define themselves by other peoples assessments? 2002 Addison Wesley Educational Aztec Education on the Eve of the Spanish Conquest by Enrique Davalos Read the above selection on Aztec

education from Chapter 3. What were the two different kinds of schools that the Aztecs had? In what ways were the Telpochcalli similar to our universities? What was the consequence of the Spaniards dismantling of Aztec schools? 2002 Addison Wesley Educational Web sites on Learning & Education Rethinking Schools

(http://www.rethinkingschools.org) Center for Public School Renewal (http://comnet.org/cpsr) Coalition of Essential Schools (CES) (http://www.essentialschools.org) 2002 Addison Wesley Educational Visit the Longman English Pages http://www.ablongman.com/englishpages

2002 Addison Wesley Educational