Unit 3: Understanding Reading Standards

Theory: Reading Closely and Finding Main Ideas

To be a successful reader, you mustunderstand both the concepts and procedures of reading. Reading standards help us identify the skills we need to practice every day. One important standard isreading closely to determine what a text says explicitly. This means finding the details that are right there on the page. Another key skill is making logical inferences. This is like being a detective; you use clues in the text to figure out things the author does not say directly. Additionally, determining the central idea, or main idea, of a text is crucial. The main ideais the most important point the author wants you to know. Supporting details are the small pieces of information that explain more about the main idea.

Practice: Finding the Main Idea

Read the short text below. Pay attention to the most important point.

The Busy Ant
Ants are very hard workers. They worktogether in big groups called colonies. Some ants build the nest, moving dirt and sand. Other ants go out to find food for the colony. They can carry heavy crumbs and seeds back home. Every ant has a job to do to help the group survive.