Grade 3, Session 1
TEACHER COPY
Main Idea
Turn and Talk: Tell your partner what central/main idea is. Now turn and tell your
partner HOW you find central/main idea (they should have difficulty with this). That will be our
focus today. We are going to review HOW we find the central/main idea of a text.
Refer to reading statement: I can determine the main idea BY thinking about the title,
looking for repeated words or phrases and by asking myself, “What is the text mostly about?”
You will probably need to define “determine.” You can also mention that “main idea” is also
referred to as “central idea” or “gist.”
We are going to take a look at this text, and I want you to pay close attention to the steps I follow
to determine central/main idea.
Look and think about the title: Authors put a great deal of thought into their title and they
will always select one that is a hint to the main idea. Watch as I THINK about the title, Mansaf
and Cranberry Sauce.
Example Think Aloud: Well, I’m looking at the title and I have no idea what “mansaf”
is, but I do know what cranberry sauce is. I eat it every year on Thanksgiving. Maybe mansaf is
a type of food. I’m not sure, so I will have to read to find out. Watch me as I read the first
section of the text aloud. As I read the beginning of the story, I’m going to be thinking, “Who or
what is this section mostly about?”
Mansaf and Cranberry Sauce
by Cheryl L. Tobey
1
“What do you mean, you don’t celebrate Thanksgiving?” Brian asked his friend, Jafar.
2
“We’re not American, remember? We’re from Jordan,” Jafar said, tossing the beat-up football
the way Brian had shown him. “And Thanksgiving is an American holiday.”
3
“Yeah, I know,” said Brian. “But just because you’re from another country doesn’t mean you
can’t celebrate Thanksgiving.”
4
5
“What’s so great about Thanksgiving?” asked Jafar.
Brian threw Jafar a long pass. “For starters, you get to eat turkey and stuffing and cranberry
sauce.”
6
“What’s cranberry sauce?" asked Jafar.
7
Brian grinned and said, “It’s like dark red Jell-O and it comes in a can.”
8
Jafar wrinkled his nose and said, “It sounds gross.” He launched the football into the air just as
the bell rang for everyone to go back to class.
I’m going to ask myself, “Who or what is this section mostly about?” This section is about two boys who are
having a conversation about Thanksgiving. The details that support my thinking are…(underline some
details from the text). I think the author wants me to know that Jafar is from a different country and doesn’t
know what Thanksgiving is. The word “Thanksgiving” is repeated a few times. I think this section is mainly
about that Jafar and Brian are friends, but they are different.
I want you to read paragraphs 9-17 on your own. When you are finished reading, I want you to jot down
what you think this section is mostly about. Remember to look for repeated words and phrases and ask
yourself, “What is this section mostly about?” or “What is the most important information the author wants
me to know?”
9
Toward the end of the school day, their teacher, Mrs. Kirkland, handed out markers, pastels, and
construction paper. “I’d like each of you to make a picture of what Thanksgiving means to you.”
10
Some kids drew turkeys. Others drew Pilgrims and Native Americans. Brian drew himself and
his mom and dad at a big dinner table full of food. As he was coloring an orange pumpkin pie, he
glanced across the room at Jafar, who was crumpling up his paper.
11
Mrs. Kirkland was circling the classroom. When she came to Jafar’s desk, she stopped and
spoke to him quietly. Jafar shrugged his shoulders. She whispered to him again, and Jafar nodded.
He took a new piece of paper and began to draw.
12
At the end of class, Brian went over to see what Jafar had drawn. His friend’s picture had no
turkeys or Pilgrims in it. Instead, Jafar had drawn a dirt road, a small house, and a strange-looking
tree with gnarled branches. “It’s a picture of our house in Jordan,” explained Jafar.
13
14
“But what does it have to do with Thanksgiving?” asked Brian.
“Mrs. Kirkland said I should draw something I’m thankful for,” said Jafar. “I’m thankful I got to
live there for ten years.”
15
Brian studies the picture. “What kind of tree is that?
16
“An olive tree,” said Jafar. “We have one in our courtyard.”
17
Brian looked more closely at the picture. “Cool,” he said.
Turn and talk to your partner about what you think the main idea of this section is.
Possible main idea: Even though Jafar doesn’t celebrate Thanksgiving, he is still thankful OR Jafar
and Brian are different, but they are still friends.
Details to support thinking:


friend’s picture had no turkeys or Pilgrims in it
picture of house in Jordan
Now I want you to read the rest of the text on your own and jot down what you think the main idea
is. Remember to look for repeated words and phrases and ask yourself, “What is this section mostly
about?” or “What is the most important information the author wants me to know?”
18
That night at dinner, Brian’s father asked his mother if she was going to make his favorite sweet
potatoes for Thanksgiving.
19
She laughed. “When have I not made them? Thanksgiving dinner is always the same.”
20
Brian looked at his parents. “Mom, Dad…would it be OK if Thanksgiving were a little
different this year?”
21
Three nights later, the doorbell rang. Brian and his parents opened the door to welcome Jafar
and his parents. Jafar’s father carried a plate piled with apricots and figs. Jafar’s mother was
wearing a colorful head scarf and holding a yellow bowl.
22
“We’ve brought mansaf,” she said, presenting the bowl to Brian’s mother.
23
“What’s that?” Brian whispered to Jafar as the two boys went into the dining room.
24
“You’ll see,” said Jafar. “I’m sure it’s no weirder than cranberry sauce.”
25
“Dinner is served!” announced Brian’s father, emerging from the kitchen with the turkey. He set
the platter at the head of the table, and everyone sat down.
26
Jafar stared at the huge turkey, the brown liquid overflowing from the gravy boat, and the brightorange sweet potatoes. Brian looked curiously at the contents of the yellow bowl.
27
28
29
30
31
“Mansaf is lamb with rice and yogurt sauce,” explained Jafar’s father.
“In Jordan, we serve it on special occasions,” said his mother. “I always make mansaf for our
big feast, Eid al-Adha.”
“It looks delicious,” said Brian’s mother. “I can’t wait to taste it.”
Brian’s father cleared his throat. “Before we eat, our family tradition is to go around the table
and say what we’re thankful for,” he explained. “I’ll start. I’m thankful I didn’t ruin the turkey.”
Everyone laughed.
32
“I’m thankful for my wonderful family and for such nice new friends,” said Brian’s mother.
33
Jafar’s father smiled. “I’m thankful for the hospitality you have shown us. In Jordan hospitality
is very important. People always make new families feel welcome.”
34
Jafar’s mother turned to Brian. “I’m thankful that Jafar met you. He likes school so much
better now.”
35
36
Jafar said, “I’m thankful to finally celebrate this mysterious American holiday.”
Brian grinned and looked around the table. “And I’m thankful to have all of you to share this
with, especially my new best friend.”
37
“Let’s eat!” said Brian’s father.
38
Jafar ate three helpings of cranberry sauce, and Brian had seconds of mansaf.
Mansaf and Cranberry Sauce
1
a small house
a dirt road
a turkey
a strange-looking tree
What is the central idea of the story?
A
B
C
D
3
Grade 3, Session 1
Jafar has all of the following drawings in his picture EXCEPT
A
B
C
D
2
TEACHER COPY
Two friends who learn about each other’s differences
Families celebrating a holiday together
A boy who doesn’t celebrate Thanksgiving
Students drawing pictures of what Thanksgiving means to them
According to the text, what did Mrs. Kirkland whisper to Jafar?
A
B
C
D
to draw a picture of a pilgrim
to draw your favorite tree
to draw a picture of his house
to draw something he’s thankful for