What's the Big Idea?
from text and content is an essential skill for every 21st century learner, yet this remains one of the most daunting and difficult tasks for readers of all ages and levels.
This presentation demystifies the processes involved in extracting central thoughts from both literature and content area text.
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This entry is in response to the blog query concerning whether text to world connections are the same as the big idea. When teaching about the big idea using the short story "The Most Dangerous Game" in our high school anthology, we talk about how human life is precious and people with power, education, or money should not take advantage of those who don't have such advantages. This is our big idea. Obviously, some of the text to world connections are extremely related to the big idea such as: ethnic cleansing, Hitler, other dictators, etc. But, many other text to world connections aren't, such as: safaris, taxidermy, hunting in general and other connections students make when they read this story. So, it just depends. Does this help?
Posted by: Monica Clarke | September 10, 2007 at 06:39 PM
Monica, Thanks for sharing this clear example. You are right on. Big Ideas in literature are about the "life" stories. Thanks for sharing this with us. It sounds like a great discussion-wish I could have heard it!
Posted by: Angela Maiers | September 10, 2007 at 07:58 PM