Did you know that 90% of newspaper paragraphs contain the main idea in the first sentence? (See what we mean? The first sentence of this paragraph lets you know finding the main idea will be the focus of the paragraph.) In our SAT preparation classes , our tutors make students aware of the fact that time is limited in a test situation. And while comprehension depends on a careful reading of all words, too-careful a reading will slow your child down and prevent him from getting a high number of correct answers.

So, acknowledging that speed and accuracy are both important, we encourage finding the main ideas as quickly as possible in a test situation. You can help your child at home with main-idea comprehension by encouraging her to get a quick general sense of the paragraph by reading the first line carefully and then reading the remaining sentences more quickly.

If you are eager to add fun to your child's academic amelioration, have another family member (without the advantage of knowing the first-line tip) read a given paragraph, raise her hand, and write down her answer when she thinks she knows what the main point of it is. The child who's already been coached about the main-idea-in-the-first-sentence will start at the same time and will, in all probability, be able to discern the main idea much more quickly. He, too, though, will raise his hand, and then write it down the main idea. Discuss how helpful the first-line tip is. Then, compare the two answers and discuss what may have been omitted.

And, if you truly want to challenge your child (or drive your family crazy), take a few key words from the article. Write them so letters are missing in both the beginning and at the end. For example, if the article were about London's subway system, you might have selected _ _ _ e r g r o _ _ _, an especially difficult brainteaser. It has the same three letters missing at both the beginning and the end of the word. The word itself is a common one. (The answer will appear in next week's blog.)