5.2. Giver Nonfiction Topics: Reproduction and the Law RI2.

Objective: To determine the central idea of an informational article.

Things That You Should Know:

1. The WHO in a WHO+WHAT+WHY sentence can be a person (Tom), a group (Earthquake scientists, Americans), or even a thing (like the Titanic). The real world is subject, but WHO is easier to remember.
2. The WHAT is either "What is the main character doing?" or "What is happening TO the main character?"
3. The WHY for a nonfiction article is the answer to the question "Why did the author think that this was important for a smart English speaker like you to know?"
4. If you can't figure out the WHY, reread the end (these go in order).
5. The formula for the main idea of a paragraph is WHO+WHAT (remember from out Chain of Main Ideas). That's why many teachers use "main idea" to mean both "main idea of a paragraph" and "central idea of a reading." They're not wrong, but it can be confusing. I try to keep the two separate, so when I say "central idea," I mean "of the whole thing" and when I say "main idea," I mean of the paragraph.

The Text: Today's nonfiction reading gives us a chance to use the WHO+WHAT+WHY formula. The good news is that the product for this is a single sentence, so simply read the article and write a single sentence. Review the mastery list if you need help with this. Here's the link - Missing Women in Asia Article.

Independent Practice:
First, everyone write a sentence that expresses the central idea of the reading.
Next, determine what group you are in:

•  If you need the Chain of Main Ideas Proficient check, write a summary to try and get it (remember, I can't pass anybody who's not proficient in that by the end of the marking period). If you have the check, read the next bullet.
• If you need the Citing Text Evidence Proficient check, check with me to see if there is a set of seven sentences for this reading. If so, do that as your second exercise. If you have the proficient check, read the next bullet.
• If you have both proficient checks, you may choose to try and get either of the expert level checks. Pick one of the two, citing or Chain of Main Ideas.
• If you have both expert checks, read in your unit novel and take Active Reading Notes.

Assessment:

I'm going to quickly assess your Central Idea sentence, so make sure to show it to me as soon as it is finished.

Any second checks, I'll grade according to our contract. If you want to watch me grade it (that can be really helpful), let me know so that we can make an appointment.