Back to Wonderful Whales Name   _______________________________     Date   _______________________________ Graceful Giants of the Sea Worksheet Remember that a main idea sentence tells the most important idea in a paragraph. Authors also include details that tell more about each main idea. As you read "Graceful Giants of the Sea," try to find the most important ideas. When you have finished reading, answer this question: What is the main idea of "Graceful Giants of the Sea?" ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ Now read the article again. As you read, identify the main idea and supporting details in each paragraph. Then use your notes to complete the chart below. Fill in the main ideas and supporting details that are missing.

Humpback Whales   Main Idea Supporting Details Paragraph 1 Size is not the reason people find humpbacks interesting. People find them interesting because of their great leaps, mysterious songs, and friendly nature. Paragraph 2 Humpbacks belong to a group of whales called baleen whales. Instead of teeth, they have tiny plates called baleen. _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ Paragraph 3 Humpbacks are world travelers. They travel in pods and swim thousands of miles every year. They are found in all the world's oceans. _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ Paragraph 4 __________________ __________________ __________________ Their flippers are the longest of any whale. They use their flippers to jump out of the water. Paragraph 5 __________________ __________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________

© Scott Foresman