Main Idea And Supporting Details Worksheets 3Rd Grade - Free Printable

Let's solve this "Main Idea & Details" worksheet step by step.

---

Step 1: Read the Paragraph Carefully

Paragraph:
> Thunderstorms are dangerous. Every thunderstorm contains lightning, and lightning kills more people each year than tornadoes or hurricanes! Do you know what to do to remain safe during a thunderstorm? First, go inside a sturdy building or a vehicle and close the windows. Furthermore, the National Weather Service recommends that you stay inside for at least thirty minutes after the last rumble of thunder is heard. Do not use telephones or electrical equipment. Avoid taking showers or baths. If you are unable to get safely inside a building, avoid taking cover beneath tall, isolated trees. Also avoid water, high ground, and metal objects. Knowing what to do (and what not to do) during a thunderstorm could save your life.

---

Step 2: Identify the Main Idea

The main idea is the central point or message of the paragraph.

- The paragraph starts by saying thunderstorms are dangerous.
- It then explains why they're dangerous (lightning kills many people).
- Then it gives safety tips for staying safe during a storm.
- The final sentence says: *"Knowing what to do (and what not to do) during a thunderstorm could save your life."*

So, the main idea is:
> It is important to know how to stay safe during a thunderstorm.

Or more simply:
> How to stay safe during a thunderstorm.

We'll write this in the cone part of the ice cream graphic.

---

Step 3: Find Three Most Important Details

Now, pick three key safety details from the paragraph. These should be the most important actions to take.

Let’s list the safety tips mentioned:

1. Go inside a sturdy building or vehicle and close the windows.
2. Stay inside for at least 30 minutes after the last thunder.
3. Do not use telephones or electrical equipment.
4. Avoid showers or baths.
5. Avoid tall, isolated trees if outside.
6. Avoid water, high ground, and metal objects.

We need only three most important ones.

Let’s choose the most critical ones:

1. Go inside a sturdy building or vehicle and close the windows.
→ This is the first and most crucial step.

2. Stay inside for at least thirty minutes after the last thunder.
→ This ensures safety even after the storm seems over.

3. Avoid using telephones, electrical equipment, showers, or baths.
→ This is one detail, but it combines several small warnings. Since we need three distinct details, let's separate them into:

- Avoid telephones and electrical equipment.
- Avoid showers or baths.

But we can only pick three. So, let’s prioritize:

✔ Best three important details:

1. Go inside a sturdy building or vehicle and close the windows.
2. Stay inside for at least thirty minutes after the last rumble of thunder.
3. Avoid water, high ground, metal objects, and tall isolated trees.
→ This covers multiple safety points in one clear detail.

Alternatively, if we want to keep them distinct:

Let’s finalize with:

1. Go inside a sturdy building or vehicle and close the windows.
2. Stay inside for at least thirty minutes after the last thunder.
3. Avoid using electrical equipment, water, and metal objects.

This captures the core safety behaviors.

---

✔ Final Answer

#### Main Idea (in the cone):
> Knowing how to stay safe during a thunderstorm can save your life.

#### Details (on the scoops):

1. Go inside a sturdy building or vehicle and close the windows.
2. Stay inside for at least thirty minutes after the last thunder.
3. Avoid using electrical equipment, water, and metal objects.

---

📝 Explanation:

- The main idea is not just about thunderstorms being dangerous, but specifically about what to do to stay safe — that’s the focus of the paragraph.
- The details support the main idea by listing specific safety steps.
- We chose the three most important because they cover shelter, timing, and danger zones — essential for survival.

---

✔ You’ve now completed the worksheet correctly!