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Teaching Tips March 2010 |
Identifying the main idea of a passage is an important skill in reading, writing, and arithmetic. Yes, even in math students need to be able
to recognize what the main idea is so they can chose the right operation to use. That's why it is considered one of the most basic critical
thinking skills a child can learn.
We can think of critical thinking skills as a way of organizing our thinking. They enable us to streamline our thinking so we can get to the heart of the matter and know what is essential to learn. They help us clear up confusion and avoid deception. So how do you identify the main idea? Before I give you a useful technique, I have a pop quiz for you. True or false: God gave us the Bible to teach us doctrine. Jot down your answer. Dr. Bruce Wilkinson, in his book The 7 Laws of the Learner: How to Teach Almost Anything to Practically Anyone!, gives a simple exercise from the Law of Application that describes the technique. Begin by crossing out all adjectives, adverbs, prepositional phrases, and descriptive clauses. This leaves you with the “bare bones” of a passage. He uses 2 Timothy 3:16-17: All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. Let's start carving away at the passage so we can cut to the chase – the main idea. Remove the adjectives and adverbs. Next cut away the prepositional phrases (hint: for is a preposition). Here's what you should have left: Scripture is given and is profitable, that man be complete, equipped. Now look back at your answer to the pop quiz. Did you answer True? If you did, you're wrong. But you're in good company because most people believe that God gave us the Bible primarily to teach us doctrine. By applying our simple carving technique, we uncovered the actual reason: to make us complete and to equip us. Wilkinson explains that these two words have more to do with “being” and how we live our life than with knowing doctrine. This doesn't mean doctrine is unimportant. It's just not the main point here. Incidentally, using this carving technique is a great way for students to practice their grammar skills – or for you to assess your children's proficiency. It shows students why grammar is so important because it enables a writer to express thoughts clearly. Grammar is reviewed in the context of the real-life necessity of understanding what is being communicated. Two benefits for the price of one teaching tip! 447 Words To view more 'Teaching Tips' Articles please 'Log In' and visit the 'Achives' page. |
