What is the central idea of “The Little Owls That Live Underground?”

In this lesson you will learn to determine the central idea of a text by determining the topic and asking what the author

says about it.

Let’s Review• Author is John Moir• Nonfiction

Informational Article• Moir uses facts,

anecdotes, and interviews to convey his message

Let’s Review

Central Idea = What the text is mostly about.

Core Lesson

Ask, “Who or what is the text about?”1

2 Ask, “What does the author say about it?”

3 Prove your central idea by showing how it is supported in the text.

Core Lesson

Criteria for Strong Central Idea:Contains the topic of the textContains the author’s main point about

the topic

Summarizes what the text is mostly about

Core Lesson

Mostly About= Burrowing owls

• This is included in the title “The Little Owls…”

• The example study, facts, endangered species list, and stories are all about burrowing owls

Who or what is the text about?

Core Lesson

What about burrowing owls?• Habitat

destruction• Status as

endangered in some locations

What does the author say about it?

Core Lesson What does the author say about it?

What about burrowing owls?

• Number of owls• Habitat destruction• Conservation efforts• Simplicity around saving

the owl

John Moir is saying that the burrowing owl can and should be saved…

Core Lesson

Central Idea:

The central idea is that burrowing owls are unique creatures, whose environment and livelihood can and should be protected.

Core Lesson Can I prove it with evidence?

Infer: Moir thinks the owls are interesting.

Infer: Moir’s questions illustrates his belief that the owls are both worth saving and able to be saved.

Core Lesson Can I prove it with evidence?

Moir is using someone else’s opinion— the owls are worth saving—to support his own central idea.

Core Lesson What is the central idea of the “Little Owls That Live Underground?”

The central idea of “The Little Owls That Live Underground” is that burrowing owls are unique creatures, whose environment and livelihood can and should be protected. I know this is the central idea because Moir states his beliefs at the beginning of the text, and he uses an anecdote at the end that reaffirms his claim.

Core Lesson

Ask, “Who or what is the text about?”1

2 Ask, “What does the author say about it?”

3 Prove your central idea by showing how it is supported in the text.

In this lesson you have learned to determine the central idea of a text by determining the

topic and asking what does the author say about it.