Slide 1

Main Idea
This lesson contains several short stories.
Read carefully. After each story you will be
asked the main idea of the selection. Read
each answer before choosing your final
response. Are you ready?

The Storyteller

Mr. Marvel lived in a small
town with not a lot of things to do.
He spent most of his time reading.
He grew very smart and became a
great storyteller. Children would
come from miles around just to hear one of Mr.
Marvel’s stories. He read with great enthusiasm and
sometimes when he spoke his jowls would sway from
side to side creating quite a picture. His voice could
change from a very deep voice to a very dainty squeak
of a voice. His stories were so intense that he would
collapse from exhaustion at the end of each story.
Children sat in awe of this wonderful storyteller.

1.A storyteller must be very smart.
2. Mr. Marvel is a very smart man because he loved
to read.
3. Mr. Marvel was a great storyteller who totally
captured his audience with his great skills.
4. Storytelling is very exhausting.

The Plaything
Trapped inside the den of the lion, the small
mouse pleaded for his life. The lion appeared to
be unaffected by his plea. He pawed at the
mouse as if he were just a toy. The mouse
scurried away from the heavy paw and
attempted to hide. Finding nowhere to go the
mouse continued to run from side to side stalling
to avoid what appeared to be a certain death. He
breathed heavily and was becoming exhausted.
Soon he decided that he could scurry no more.
He collapsed in a dead heap. (cont.)

The lion pawed softly at the lump on the
ground but the mouse would run no more.
Once again he attempted to arouse the mouse
with no success. The mouse stayed still. With
a sigh of great disappointment the lion stood
up. The lion strolled out of his den looking for
his next adventure. The small mouse could not
believe his good fortune and quickly slithered
to safety from his accepted demise.

1. A mouse can sometimes outsmart a lion.

2. Lions play with their food.

3.A lion can be very gentle.
4. Surviving the capture of a lion is no easy task.

A Sheep’s Life
Growing up on a farm is not always
easy. Everyday an animal is
slaughtered for dinner. A great big
tractor chops up the ground around
your home killing anything that lies
in its way. The rooster always startles you awake with
his ghastly noise pollution.
Today, the farmer was secretly preparing for
tomorrow’s activities. All the animals were talking
and guessing what could be happening. Not knowing
was just killing me and sleeping was just impossible.

Tossing and squirming about in my bed, I
dreamt of the farmer coming after me. It was a
very sleepless night and then came that darn
rooster. As I opened my eyes, the nightmare
came true. There in front of me was the farmer.
In his hand was a very large knife.
I stammered, “Wwwhat do you wwwwant?”

The farmer simply nodded his head and slipped a rope with a
loop around my neck. He prodded an unwilling candidate to a
nearby pen where the farmer’s son was waiting to help.
Then flashed the knife and with a quick sweep, off came the
first mass of wool. “Well, better that than my head,” I
thought. On and on it continued until I stood there looking
like a bald eagle.

The farmer nodded to his son that he was finished and
signaled him to take me back and get the next victim. I
strolled back home with a certainty that I would sleep better
tonight although I did feel somewhat nippy.

1.It takes a very big knife to sheer a sheep.
2.For a sheep being sheered of their wool can be a
stressful experience.
3.Many different things happen on a farm.

4.All animals live in fear on a farm.


Slide 2

Main Idea
This lesson contains several short stories.
Read carefully. After each story you will be
asked the main idea of the selection. Read
each answer before choosing your final
response. Are you ready?

The Storyteller

Mr. Marvel lived in a small
town with not a lot of things to do.
He spent most of his time reading.
He grew very smart and became a
great storyteller. Children would
come from miles around just to hear one of Mr.
Marvel’s stories. He read with great enthusiasm and
sometimes when he spoke his jowls would sway from
side to side creating quite a picture. His voice could
change from a very deep voice to a very dainty squeak
of a voice. His stories were so intense that he would
collapse from exhaustion at the end of each story.
Children sat in awe of this wonderful storyteller.

1.A storyteller must be very smart.
2. Mr. Marvel is a very smart man because he loved
to read.
3. Mr. Marvel was a great storyteller who totally
captured his audience with his great skills.
4. Storytelling is very exhausting.

The Plaything
Trapped inside the den of the lion, the small
mouse pleaded for his life. The lion appeared to
be unaffected by his plea. He pawed at the
mouse as if he were just a toy. The mouse
scurried away from the heavy paw and
attempted to hide. Finding nowhere to go the
mouse continued to run from side to side stalling
to avoid what appeared to be a certain death. He
breathed heavily and was becoming exhausted.
Soon he decided that he could scurry no more.
He collapsed in a dead heap. (cont.)

The lion pawed softly at the lump on the
ground but the mouse would run no more.
Once again he attempted to arouse the mouse
with no success. The mouse stayed still. With
a sigh of great disappointment the lion stood
up. The lion strolled out of his den looking for
his next adventure. The small mouse could not
believe his good fortune and quickly slithered
to safety from his accepted demise.

1. A mouse can sometimes outsmart a lion.

2. Lions play with their food.

3.A lion can be very gentle.
4. Surviving the capture of a lion is no easy task.

A Sheep’s Life
Growing up on a farm is not always
easy. Everyday an animal is
slaughtered for dinner. A great big
tractor chops up the ground around
your home killing anything that lies
in its way. The rooster always startles you awake with
his ghastly noise pollution.
Today, the farmer was secretly preparing for
tomorrow’s activities. All the animals were talking
and guessing what could be happening. Not knowing
was just killing me and sleeping was just impossible.

Tossing and squirming about in my bed, I
dreamt of the farmer coming after me. It was a
very sleepless night and then came that darn
rooster. As I opened my eyes, the nightmare
came true. There in front of me was the farmer.
In his hand was a very large knife.
I stammered, “Wwwhat do you wwwwant?”

The farmer simply nodded his head and slipped a rope with a
loop around my neck. He prodded an unwilling candidate to a
nearby pen where the farmer’s son was waiting to help.
Then flashed the knife and with a quick sweep, off came the
first mass of wool. “Well, better that than my head,” I
thought. On and on it continued until I stood there looking
like a bald eagle.

The farmer nodded to his son that he was finished and
signaled him to take me back and get the next victim. I
strolled back home with a certainty that I would sleep better
tonight although I did feel somewhat nippy.

1.It takes a very big knife to sheer a sheep.
2.For a sheep being sheered of their wool can be a
stressful experience.
3.Many different things happen on a farm.

4.All animals live in fear on a farm.


Slide 3

Main Idea
This lesson contains several short stories.
Read carefully. After each story you will be
asked the main idea of the selection. Read
each answer before choosing your final
response. Are you ready?

The Storyteller

Mr. Marvel lived in a small
town with not a lot of things to do.
He spent most of his time reading.
He grew very smart and became a
great storyteller. Children would
come from miles around just to hear one of Mr.
Marvel’s stories. He read with great enthusiasm and
sometimes when he spoke his jowls would sway from
side to side creating quite a picture. His voice could
change from a very deep voice to a very dainty squeak
of a voice. His stories were so intense that he would
collapse from exhaustion at the end of each story.
Children sat in awe of this wonderful storyteller.

1.A storyteller must be very smart.
2. Mr. Marvel is a very smart man because he loved
to read.
3. Mr. Marvel was a great storyteller who totally
captured his audience with his great skills.
4. Storytelling is very exhausting.

The Plaything
Trapped inside the den of the lion, the small
mouse pleaded for his life. The lion appeared to
be unaffected by his plea. He pawed at the
mouse as if he were just a toy. The mouse
scurried away from the heavy paw and
attempted to hide. Finding nowhere to go the
mouse continued to run from side to side stalling
to avoid what appeared to be a certain death. He
breathed heavily and was becoming exhausted.
Soon he decided that he could scurry no more.
He collapsed in a dead heap. (cont.)

The lion pawed softly at the lump on the
ground but the mouse would run no more.
Once again he attempted to arouse the mouse
with no success. The mouse stayed still. With
a sigh of great disappointment the lion stood
up. The lion strolled out of his den looking for
his next adventure. The small mouse could not
believe his good fortune and quickly slithered
to safety from his accepted demise.

1. A mouse can sometimes outsmart a lion.

2. Lions play with their food.

3.A lion can be very gentle.
4. Surviving the capture of a lion is no easy task.

A Sheep’s Life
Growing up on a farm is not always
easy. Everyday an animal is
slaughtered for dinner. A great big
tractor chops up the ground around
your home killing anything that lies
in its way. The rooster always startles you awake with
his ghastly noise pollution.
Today, the farmer was secretly preparing for
tomorrow’s activities. All the animals were talking
and guessing what could be happening. Not knowing
was just killing me and sleeping was just impossible.

Tossing and squirming about in my bed, I
dreamt of the farmer coming after me. It was a
very sleepless night and then came that darn
rooster. As I opened my eyes, the nightmare
came true. There in front of me was the farmer.
In his hand was a very large knife.
I stammered, “Wwwhat do you wwwwant?”

The farmer simply nodded his head and slipped a rope with a
loop around my neck. He prodded an unwilling candidate to a
nearby pen where the farmer’s son was waiting to help.
Then flashed the knife and with a quick sweep, off came the
first mass of wool. “Well, better that than my head,” I
thought. On and on it continued until I stood there looking
like a bald eagle.

The farmer nodded to his son that he was finished and
signaled him to take me back and get the next victim. I
strolled back home with a certainty that I would sleep better
tonight although I did feel somewhat nippy.

1.It takes a very big knife to sheer a sheep.
2.For a sheep being sheered of their wool can be a
stressful experience.
3.Many different things happen on a farm.

4.All animals live in fear on a farm.


Slide 4

Main Idea
This lesson contains several short stories.
Read carefully. After each story you will be
asked the main idea of the selection. Read
each answer before choosing your final
response. Are you ready?

The Storyteller

Mr. Marvel lived in a small
town with not a lot of things to do.
He spent most of his time reading.
He grew very smart and became a
great storyteller. Children would
come from miles around just to hear one of Mr.
Marvel’s stories. He read with great enthusiasm and
sometimes when he spoke his jowls would sway from
side to side creating quite a picture. His voice could
change from a very deep voice to a very dainty squeak
of a voice. His stories were so intense that he would
collapse from exhaustion at the end of each story.
Children sat in awe of this wonderful storyteller.

1.A storyteller must be very smart.
2. Mr. Marvel is a very smart man because he loved
to read.
3. Mr. Marvel was a great storyteller who totally
captured his audience with his great skills.
4. Storytelling is very exhausting.

The Plaything
Trapped inside the den of the lion, the small
mouse pleaded for his life. The lion appeared to
be unaffected by his plea. He pawed at the
mouse as if he were just a toy. The mouse
scurried away from the heavy paw and
attempted to hide. Finding nowhere to go the
mouse continued to run from side to side stalling
to avoid what appeared to be a certain death. He
breathed heavily and was becoming exhausted.
Soon he decided that he could scurry no more.
He collapsed in a dead heap. (cont.)

The lion pawed softly at the lump on the
ground but the mouse would run no more.
Once again he attempted to arouse the mouse
with no success. The mouse stayed still. With
a sigh of great disappointment the lion stood
up. The lion strolled out of his den looking for
his next adventure. The small mouse could not
believe his good fortune and quickly slithered
to safety from his accepted demise.

1. A mouse can sometimes outsmart a lion.

2. Lions play with their food.

3.A lion can be very gentle.
4. Surviving the capture of a lion is no easy task.

A Sheep’s Life
Growing up on a farm is not always
easy. Everyday an animal is
slaughtered for dinner. A great big
tractor chops up the ground around
your home killing anything that lies
in its way. The rooster always startles you awake with
his ghastly noise pollution.
Today, the farmer was secretly preparing for
tomorrow’s activities. All the animals were talking
and guessing what could be happening. Not knowing
was just killing me and sleeping was just impossible.

Tossing and squirming about in my bed, I
dreamt of the farmer coming after me. It was a
very sleepless night and then came that darn
rooster. As I opened my eyes, the nightmare
came true. There in front of me was the farmer.
In his hand was a very large knife.
I stammered, “Wwwhat do you wwwwant?”

The farmer simply nodded his head and slipped a rope with a
loop around my neck. He prodded an unwilling candidate to a
nearby pen where the farmer’s son was waiting to help.
Then flashed the knife and with a quick sweep, off came the
first mass of wool. “Well, better that than my head,” I
thought. On and on it continued until I stood there looking
like a bald eagle.

The farmer nodded to his son that he was finished and
signaled him to take me back and get the next victim. I
strolled back home with a certainty that I would sleep better
tonight although I did feel somewhat nippy.

1.It takes a very big knife to sheer a sheep.
2.For a sheep being sheered of their wool can be a
stressful experience.
3.Many different things happen on a farm.

4.All animals live in fear on a farm.


Slide 5

Main Idea
This lesson contains several short stories.
Read carefully. After each story you will be
asked the main idea of the selection. Read
each answer before choosing your final
response. Are you ready?

The Storyteller

Mr. Marvel lived in a small
town with not a lot of things to do.
He spent most of his time reading.
He grew very smart and became a
great storyteller. Children would
come from miles around just to hear one of Mr.
Marvel’s stories. He read with great enthusiasm and
sometimes when he spoke his jowls would sway from
side to side creating quite a picture. His voice could
change from a very deep voice to a very dainty squeak
of a voice. His stories were so intense that he would
collapse from exhaustion at the end of each story.
Children sat in awe of this wonderful storyteller.

1.A storyteller must be very smart.
2. Mr. Marvel is a very smart man because he loved
to read.
3. Mr. Marvel was a great storyteller who totally
captured his audience with his great skills.
4. Storytelling is very exhausting.

The Plaything
Trapped inside the den of the lion, the small
mouse pleaded for his life. The lion appeared to
be unaffected by his plea. He pawed at the
mouse as if he were just a toy. The mouse
scurried away from the heavy paw and
attempted to hide. Finding nowhere to go the
mouse continued to run from side to side stalling
to avoid what appeared to be a certain death. He
breathed heavily and was becoming exhausted.
Soon he decided that he could scurry no more.
He collapsed in a dead heap. (cont.)

The lion pawed softly at the lump on the
ground but the mouse would run no more.
Once again he attempted to arouse the mouse
with no success. The mouse stayed still. With
a sigh of great disappointment the lion stood
up. The lion strolled out of his den looking for
his next adventure. The small mouse could not
believe his good fortune and quickly slithered
to safety from his accepted demise.

1. A mouse can sometimes outsmart a lion.

2. Lions play with their food.

3.A lion can be very gentle.
4. Surviving the capture of a lion is no easy task.

A Sheep’s Life
Growing up on a farm is not always
easy. Everyday an animal is
slaughtered for dinner. A great big
tractor chops up the ground around
your home killing anything that lies
in its way. The rooster always startles you awake with
his ghastly noise pollution.
Today, the farmer was secretly preparing for
tomorrow’s activities. All the animals were talking
and guessing what could be happening. Not knowing
was just killing me and sleeping was just impossible.

Tossing and squirming about in my bed, I
dreamt of the farmer coming after me. It was a
very sleepless night and then came that darn
rooster. As I opened my eyes, the nightmare
came true. There in front of me was the farmer.
In his hand was a very large knife.
I stammered, “Wwwhat do you wwwwant?”

The farmer simply nodded his head and slipped a rope with a
loop around my neck. He prodded an unwilling candidate to a
nearby pen where the farmer’s son was waiting to help.
Then flashed the knife and with a quick sweep, off came the
first mass of wool. “Well, better that than my head,” I
thought. On and on it continued until I stood there looking
like a bald eagle.

The farmer nodded to his son that he was finished and
signaled him to take me back and get the next victim. I
strolled back home with a certainty that I would sleep better
tonight although I did feel somewhat nippy.

1.It takes a very big knife to sheer a sheep.
2.For a sheep being sheered of their wool can be a
stressful experience.
3.Many different things happen on a farm.

4.All animals live in fear on a farm.


Slide 6

Main Idea
This lesson contains several short stories.
Read carefully. After each story you will be
asked the main idea of the selection. Read
each answer before choosing your final
response. Are you ready?

The Storyteller

Mr. Marvel lived in a small
town with not a lot of things to do.
He spent most of his time reading.
He grew very smart and became a
great storyteller. Children would
come from miles around just to hear one of Mr.
Marvel’s stories. He read with great enthusiasm and
sometimes when he spoke his jowls would sway from
side to side creating quite a picture. His voice could
change from a very deep voice to a very dainty squeak
of a voice. His stories were so intense that he would
collapse from exhaustion at the end of each story.
Children sat in awe of this wonderful storyteller.

1.A storyteller must be very smart.
2. Mr. Marvel is a very smart man because he loved
to read.
3. Mr. Marvel was a great storyteller who totally
captured his audience with his great skills.
4. Storytelling is very exhausting.

The Plaything
Trapped inside the den of the lion, the small
mouse pleaded for his life. The lion appeared to
be unaffected by his plea. He pawed at the
mouse as if he were just a toy. The mouse
scurried away from the heavy paw and
attempted to hide. Finding nowhere to go the
mouse continued to run from side to side stalling
to avoid what appeared to be a certain death. He
breathed heavily and was becoming exhausted.
Soon he decided that he could scurry no more.
He collapsed in a dead heap. (cont.)

The lion pawed softly at the lump on the
ground but the mouse would run no more.
Once again he attempted to arouse the mouse
with no success. The mouse stayed still. With
a sigh of great disappointment the lion stood
up. The lion strolled out of his den looking for
his next adventure. The small mouse could not
believe his good fortune and quickly slithered
to safety from his accepted demise.

1. A mouse can sometimes outsmart a lion.

2. Lions play with their food.

3.A lion can be very gentle.
4. Surviving the capture of a lion is no easy task.

A Sheep’s Life
Growing up on a farm is not always
easy. Everyday an animal is
slaughtered for dinner. A great big
tractor chops up the ground around
your home killing anything that lies
in its way. The rooster always startles you awake with
his ghastly noise pollution.
Today, the farmer was secretly preparing for
tomorrow’s activities. All the animals were talking
and guessing what could be happening. Not knowing
was just killing me and sleeping was just impossible.

Tossing and squirming about in my bed, I
dreamt of the farmer coming after me. It was a
very sleepless night and then came that darn
rooster. As I opened my eyes, the nightmare
came true. There in front of me was the farmer.
In his hand was a very large knife.
I stammered, “Wwwhat do you wwwwant?”

The farmer simply nodded his head and slipped a rope with a
loop around my neck. He prodded an unwilling candidate to a
nearby pen where the farmer’s son was waiting to help.
Then flashed the knife and with a quick sweep, off came the
first mass of wool. “Well, better that than my head,” I
thought. On and on it continued until I stood there looking
like a bald eagle.

The farmer nodded to his son that he was finished and
signaled him to take me back and get the next victim. I
strolled back home with a certainty that I would sleep better
tonight although I did feel somewhat nippy.

1.It takes a very big knife to sheer a sheep.
2.For a sheep being sheered of their wool can be a
stressful experience.
3.Many different things happen on a farm.

4.All animals live in fear on a farm.


Slide 7

Main Idea
This lesson contains several short stories.
Read carefully. After each story you will be
asked the main idea of the selection. Read
each answer before choosing your final
response. Are you ready?

The Storyteller

Mr. Marvel lived in a small
town with not a lot of things to do.
He spent most of his time reading.
He grew very smart and became a
great storyteller. Children would
come from miles around just to hear one of Mr.
Marvel’s stories. He read with great enthusiasm and
sometimes when he spoke his jowls would sway from
side to side creating quite a picture. His voice could
change from a very deep voice to a very dainty squeak
of a voice. His stories were so intense that he would
collapse from exhaustion at the end of each story.
Children sat in awe of this wonderful storyteller.

1.A storyteller must be very smart.
2. Mr. Marvel is a very smart man because he loved
to read.
3. Mr. Marvel was a great storyteller who totally
captured his audience with his great skills.
4. Storytelling is very exhausting.

The Plaything
Trapped inside the den of the lion, the small
mouse pleaded for his life. The lion appeared to
be unaffected by his plea. He pawed at the
mouse as if he were just a toy. The mouse
scurried away from the heavy paw and
attempted to hide. Finding nowhere to go the
mouse continued to run from side to side stalling
to avoid what appeared to be a certain death. He
breathed heavily and was becoming exhausted.
Soon he decided that he could scurry no more.
He collapsed in a dead heap. (cont.)

The lion pawed softly at the lump on the
ground but the mouse would run no more.
Once again he attempted to arouse the mouse
with no success. The mouse stayed still. With
a sigh of great disappointment the lion stood
up. The lion strolled out of his den looking for
his next adventure. The small mouse could not
believe his good fortune and quickly slithered
to safety from his accepted demise.

1. A mouse can sometimes outsmart a lion.

2. Lions play with their food.

3.A lion can be very gentle.
4. Surviving the capture of a lion is no easy task.

A Sheep’s Life
Growing up on a farm is not always
easy. Everyday an animal is
slaughtered for dinner. A great big
tractor chops up the ground around
your home killing anything that lies
in its way. The rooster always startles you awake with
his ghastly noise pollution.
Today, the farmer was secretly preparing for
tomorrow’s activities. All the animals were talking
and guessing what could be happening. Not knowing
was just killing me and sleeping was just impossible.

Tossing and squirming about in my bed, I
dreamt of the farmer coming after me. It was a
very sleepless night and then came that darn
rooster. As I opened my eyes, the nightmare
came true. There in front of me was the farmer.
In his hand was a very large knife.
I stammered, “Wwwhat do you wwwwant?”

The farmer simply nodded his head and slipped a rope with a
loop around my neck. He prodded an unwilling candidate to a
nearby pen where the farmer’s son was waiting to help.
Then flashed the knife and with a quick sweep, off came the
first mass of wool. “Well, better that than my head,” I
thought. On and on it continued until I stood there looking
like a bald eagle.

The farmer nodded to his son that he was finished and
signaled him to take me back and get the next victim. I
strolled back home with a certainty that I would sleep better
tonight although I did feel somewhat nippy.

1.It takes a very big knife to sheer a sheep.
2.For a sheep being sheered of their wool can be a
stressful experience.
3.Many different things happen on a farm.

4.All animals live in fear on a farm.


Slide 8

Main Idea
This lesson contains several short stories.
Read carefully. After each story you will be
asked the main idea of the selection. Read
each answer before choosing your final
response. Are you ready?

The Storyteller

Mr. Marvel lived in a small
town with not a lot of things to do.
He spent most of his time reading.
He grew very smart and became a
great storyteller. Children would
come from miles around just to hear one of Mr.
Marvel’s stories. He read with great enthusiasm and
sometimes when he spoke his jowls would sway from
side to side creating quite a picture. His voice could
change from a very deep voice to a very dainty squeak
of a voice. His stories were so intense that he would
collapse from exhaustion at the end of each story.
Children sat in awe of this wonderful storyteller.

1.A storyteller must be very smart.
2. Mr. Marvel is a very smart man because he loved
to read.
3. Mr. Marvel was a great storyteller who totally
captured his audience with his great skills.
4. Storytelling is very exhausting.

The Plaything
Trapped inside the den of the lion, the small
mouse pleaded for his life. The lion appeared to
be unaffected by his plea. He pawed at the
mouse as if he were just a toy. The mouse
scurried away from the heavy paw and
attempted to hide. Finding nowhere to go the
mouse continued to run from side to side stalling
to avoid what appeared to be a certain death. He
breathed heavily and was becoming exhausted.
Soon he decided that he could scurry no more.
He collapsed in a dead heap. (cont.)

The lion pawed softly at the lump on the
ground but the mouse would run no more.
Once again he attempted to arouse the mouse
with no success. The mouse stayed still. With
a sigh of great disappointment the lion stood
up. The lion strolled out of his den looking for
his next adventure. The small mouse could not
believe his good fortune and quickly slithered
to safety from his accepted demise.

1. A mouse can sometimes outsmart a lion.

2. Lions play with their food.

3.A lion can be very gentle.
4. Surviving the capture of a lion is no easy task.

A Sheep’s Life
Growing up on a farm is not always
easy. Everyday an animal is
slaughtered for dinner. A great big
tractor chops up the ground around
your home killing anything that lies
in its way. The rooster always startles you awake with
his ghastly noise pollution.
Today, the farmer was secretly preparing for
tomorrow’s activities. All the animals were talking
and guessing what could be happening. Not knowing
was just killing me and sleeping was just impossible.

Tossing and squirming about in my bed, I
dreamt of the farmer coming after me. It was a
very sleepless night and then came that darn
rooster. As I opened my eyes, the nightmare
came true. There in front of me was the farmer.
In his hand was a very large knife.
I stammered, “Wwwhat do you wwwwant?”

The farmer simply nodded his head and slipped a rope with a
loop around my neck. He prodded an unwilling candidate to a
nearby pen where the farmer’s son was waiting to help.
Then flashed the knife and with a quick sweep, off came the
first mass of wool. “Well, better that than my head,” I
thought. On and on it continued until I stood there looking
like a bald eagle.

The farmer nodded to his son that he was finished and
signaled him to take me back and get the next victim. I
strolled back home with a certainty that I would sleep better
tonight although I did feel somewhat nippy.

1.It takes a very big knife to sheer a sheep.
2.For a sheep being sheered of their wool can be a
stressful experience.
3.Many different things happen on a farm.

4.All animals live in fear on a farm.


Slide 9

Main Idea
This lesson contains several short stories.
Read carefully. After each story you will be
asked the main idea of the selection. Read
each answer before choosing your final
response. Are you ready?

The Storyteller

Mr. Marvel lived in a small
town with not a lot of things to do.
He spent most of his time reading.
He grew very smart and became a
great storyteller. Children would
come from miles around just to hear one of Mr.
Marvel’s stories. He read with great enthusiasm and
sometimes when he spoke his jowls would sway from
side to side creating quite a picture. His voice could
change from a very deep voice to a very dainty squeak
of a voice. His stories were so intense that he would
collapse from exhaustion at the end of each story.
Children sat in awe of this wonderful storyteller.

1.A storyteller must be very smart.
2. Mr. Marvel is a very smart man because he loved
to read.
3. Mr. Marvel was a great storyteller who totally
captured his audience with his great skills.
4. Storytelling is very exhausting.

The Plaything
Trapped inside the den of the lion, the small
mouse pleaded for his life. The lion appeared to
be unaffected by his plea. He pawed at the
mouse as if he were just a toy. The mouse
scurried away from the heavy paw and
attempted to hide. Finding nowhere to go the
mouse continued to run from side to side stalling
to avoid what appeared to be a certain death. He
breathed heavily and was becoming exhausted.
Soon he decided that he could scurry no more.
He collapsed in a dead heap. (cont.)

The lion pawed softly at the lump on the
ground but the mouse would run no more.
Once again he attempted to arouse the mouse
with no success. The mouse stayed still. With
a sigh of great disappointment the lion stood
up. The lion strolled out of his den looking for
his next adventure. The small mouse could not
believe his good fortune and quickly slithered
to safety from his accepted demise.

1. A mouse can sometimes outsmart a lion.

2. Lions play with their food.

3.A lion can be very gentle.
4. Surviving the capture of a lion is no easy task.

A Sheep’s Life
Growing up on a farm is not always
easy. Everyday an animal is
slaughtered for dinner. A great big
tractor chops up the ground around
your home killing anything that lies
in its way. The rooster always startles you awake with
his ghastly noise pollution.
Today, the farmer was secretly preparing for
tomorrow’s activities. All the animals were talking
and guessing what could be happening. Not knowing
was just killing me and sleeping was just impossible.

Tossing and squirming about in my bed, I
dreamt of the farmer coming after me. It was a
very sleepless night and then came that darn
rooster. As I opened my eyes, the nightmare
came true. There in front of me was the farmer.
In his hand was a very large knife.
I stammered, “Wwwhat do you wwwwant?”

The farmer simply nodded his head and slipped a rope with a
loop around my neck. He prodded an unwilling candidate to a
nearby pen where the farmer’s son was waiting to help.
Then flashed the knife and with a quick sweep, off came the
first mass of wool. “Well, better that than my head,” I
thought. On and on it continued until I stood there looking
like a bald eagle.

The farmer nodded to his son that he was finished and
signaled him to take me back and get the next victim. I
strolled back home with a certainty that I would sleep better
tonight although I did feel somewhat nippy.

1.It takes a very big knife to sheer a sheep.
2.For a sheep being sheered of their wool can be a
stressful experience.
3.Many different things happen on a farm.

4.All animals live in fear on a farm.


Slide 10

Main Idea
This lesson contains several short stories.
Read carefully. After each story you will be
asked the main idea of the selection. Read
each answer before choosing your final
response. Are you ready?

The Storyteller

Mr. Marvel lived in a small
town with not a lot of things to do.
He spent most of his time reading.
He grew very smart and became a
great storyteller. Children would
come from miles around just to hear one of Mr.
Marvel’s stories. He read with great enthusiasm and
sometimes when he spoke his jowls would sway from
side to side creating quite a picture. His voice could
change from a very deep voice to a very dainty squeak
of a voice. His stories were so intense that he would
collapse from exhaustion at the end of each story.
Children sat in awe of this wonderful storyteller.

1.A storyteller must be very smart.
2. Mr. Marvel is a very smart man because he loved
to read.
3. Mr. Marvel was a great storyteller who totally
captured his audience with his great skills.
4. Storytelling is very exhausting.

The Plaything
Trapped inside the den of the lion, the small
mouse pleaded for his life. The lion appeared to
be unaffected by his plea. He pawed at the
mouse as if he were just a toy. The mouse
scurried away from the heavy paw and
attempted to hide. Finding nowhere to go the
mouse continued to run from side to side stalling
to avoid what appeared to be a certain death. He
breathed heavily and was becoming exhausted.
Soon he decided that he could scurry no more.
He collapsed in a dead heap. (cont.)

The lion pawed softly at the lump on the
ground but the mouse would run no more.
Once again he attempted to arouse the mouse
with no success. The mouse stayed still. With
a sigh of great disappointment the lion stood
up. The lion strolled out of his den looking for
his next adventure. The small mouse could not
believe his good fortune and quickly slithered
to safety from his accepted demise.

1. A mouse can sometimes outsmart a lion.

2. Lions play with their food.

3.A lion can be very gentle.
4. Surviving the capture of a lion is no easy task.

A Sheep’s Life
Growing up on a farm is not always
easy. Everyday an animal is
slaughtered for dinner. A great big
tractor chops up the ground around
your home killing anything that lies
in its way. The rooster always startles you awake with
his ghastly noise pollution.
Today, the farmer was secretly preparing for
tomorrow’s activities. All the animals were talking
and guessing what could be happening. Not knowing
was just killing me and sleeping was just impossible.

Tossing and squirming about in my bed, I
dreamt of the farmer coming after me. It was a
very sleepless night and then came that darn
rooster. As I opened my eyes, the nightmare
came true. There in front of me was the farmer.
In his hand was a very large knife.
I stammered, “Wwwhat do you wwwwant?”

The farmer simply nodded his head and slipped a rope with a
loop around my neck. He prodded an unwilling candidate to a
nearby pen where the farmer’s son was waiting to help.
Then flashed the knife and with a quick sweep, off came the
first mass of wool. “Well, better that than my head,” I
thought. On and on it continued until I stood there looking
like a bald eagle.

The farmer nodded to his son that he was finished and
signaled him to take me back and get the next victim. I
strolled back home with a certainty that I would sleep better
tonight although I did feel somewhat nippy.

1.It takes a very big knife to sheer a sheep.
2.For a sheep being sheered of their wool can be a
stressful experience.
3.Many different things happen on a farm.

4.All animals live in fear on a farm.


Slide 11

Main Idea
This lesson contains several short stories.
Read carefully. After each story you will be
asked the main idea of the selection. Read
each answer before choosing your final
response. Are you ready?

The Storyteller

Mr. Marvel lived in a small
town with not a lot of things to do.
He spent most of his time reading.
He grew very smart and became a
great storyteller. Children would
come from miles around just to hear one of Mr.
Marvel’s stories. He read with great enthusiasm and
sometimes when he spoke his jowls would sway from
side to side creating quite a picture. His voice could
change from a very deep voice to a very dainty squeak
of a voice. His stories were so intense that he would
collapse from exhaustion at the end of each story.
Children sat in awe of this wonderful storyteller.

1.A storyteller must be very smart.
2. Mr. Marvel is a very smart man because he loved
to read.
3. Mr. Marvel was a great storyteller who totally
captured his audience with his great skills.
4. Storytelling is very exhausting.

The Plaything
Trapped inside the den of the lion, the small
mouse pleaded for his life. The lion appeared to
be unaffected by his plea. He pawed at the
mouse as if he were just a toy. The mouse
scurried away from the heavy paw and
attempted to hide. Finding nowhere to go the
mouse continued to run from side to side stalling
to avoid what appeared to be a certain death. He
breathed heavily and was becoming exhausted.
Soon he decided that he could scurry no more.
He collapsed in a dead heap. (cont.)

The lion pawed softly at the lump on the
ground but the mouse would run no more.
Once again he attempted to arouse the mouse
with no success. The mouse stayed still. With
a sigh of great disappointment the lion stood
up. The lion strolled out of his den looking for
his next adventure. The small mouse could not
believe his good fortune and quickly slithered
to safety from his accepted demise.

1. A mouse can sometimes outsmart a lion.

2. Lions play with their food.

3.A lion can be very gentle.
4. Surviving the capture of a lion is no easy task.

A Sheep’s Life
Growing up on a farm is not always
easy. Everyday an animal is
slaughtered for dinner. A great big
tractor chops up the ground around
your home killing anything that lies
in its way. The rooster always startles you awake with
his ghastly noise pollution.
Today, the farmer was secretly preparing for
tomorrow’s activities. All the animals were talking
and guessing what could be happening. Not knowing
was just killing me and sleeping was just impossible.

Tossing and squirming about in my bed, I
dreamt of the farmer coming after me. It was a
very sleepless night and then came that darn
rooster. As I opened my eyes, the nightmare
came true. There in front of me was the farmer.
In his hand was a very large knife.
I stammered, “Wwwhat do you wwwwant?”

The farmer simply nodded his head and slipped a rope with a
loop around my neck. He prodded an unwilling candidate to a
nearby pen where the farmer’s son was waiting to help.
Then flashed the knife and with a quick sweep, off came the
first mass of wool. “Well, better that than my head,” I
thought. On and on it continued until I stood there looking
like a bald eagle.

The farmer nodded to his son that he was finished and
signaled him to take me back and get the next victim. I
strolled back home with a certainty that I would sleep better
tonight although I did feel somewhat nippy.

1.It takes a very big knife to sheer a sheep.
2.For a sheep being sheered of their wool can be a
stressful experience.
3.Many different things happen on a farm.

4.All animals live in fear on a farm.


Slide 12

Main Idea
This lesson contains several short stories.
Read carefully. After each story you will be
asked the main idea of the selection. Read
each answer before choosing your final
response. Are you ready?

The Storyteller

Mr. Marvel lived in a small
town with not a lot of things to do.
He spent most of his time reading.
He grew very smart and became a
great storyteller. Children would
come from miles around just to hear one of Mr.
Marvel’s stories. He read with great enthusiasm and
sometimes when he spoke his jowls would sway from
side to side creating quite a picture. His voice could
change from a very deep voice to a very dainty squeak
of a voice. His stories were so intense that he would
collapse from exhaustion at the end of each story.
Children sat in awe of this wonderful storyteller.

1.A storyteller must be very smart.
2. Mr. Marvel is a very smart man because he loved
to read.
3. Mr. Marvel was a great storyteller who totally
captured his audience with his great skills.
4. Storytelling is very exhausting.

The Plaything
Trapped inside the den of the lion, the small
mouse pleaded for his life. The lion appeared to
be unaffected by his plea. He pawed at the
mouse as if he were just a toy. The mouse
scurried away from the heavy paw and
attempted to hide. Finding nowhere to go the
mouse continued to run from side to side stalling
to avoid what appeared to be a certain death. He
breathed heavily and was becoming exhausted.
Soon he decided that he could scurry no more.
He collapsed in a dead heap. (cont.)

The lion pawed softly at the lump on the
ground but the mouse would run no more.
Once again he attempted to arouse the mouse
with no success. The mouse stayed still. With
a sigh of great disappointment the lion stood
up. The lion strolled out of his den looking for
his next adventure. The small mouse could not
believe his good fortune and quickly slithered
to safety from his accepted demise.

1. A mouse can sometimes outsmart a lion.

2. Lions play with their food.

3.A lion can be very gentle.
4. Surviving the capture of a lion is no easy task.

A Sheep’s Life
Growing up on a farm is not always
easy. Everyday an animal is
slaughtered for dinner. A great big
tractor chops up the ground around
your home killing anything that lies
in its way. The rooster always startles you awake with
his ghastly noise pollution.
Today, the farmer was secretly preparing for
tomorrow’s activities. All the animals were talking
and guessing what could be happening. Not knowing
was just killing me and sleeping was just impossible.

Tossing and squirming about in my bed, I
dreamt of the farmer coming after me. It was a
very sleepless night and then came that darn
rooster. As I opened my eyes, the nightmare
came true. There in front of me was the farmer.
In his hand was a very large knife.
I stammered, “Wwwhat do you wwwwant?”

The farmer simply nodded his head and slipped a rope with a
loop around my neck. He prodded an unwilling candidate to a
nearby pen where the farmer’s son was waiting to help.
Then flashed the knife and with a quick sweep, off came the
first mass of wool. “Well, better that than my head,” I
thought. On and on it continued until I stood there looking
like a bald eagle.

The farmer nodded to his son that he was finished and
signaled him to take me back and get the next victim. I
strolled back home with a certainty that I would sleep better
tonight although I did feel somewhat nippy.

1.It takes a very big knife to sheer a sheep.
2.For a sheep being sheered of their wool can be a
stressful experience.
3.Many different things happen on a farm.

4.All animals live in fear on a farm.