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Override for the tutor's lesson content generation calls. Auto uses the system default (Claude Sonnet 5 for lesson text, Opus 5 for diagrams).

Lesson generation model

System default

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Tutoring abilities

Imagine your friend runs up to you talking fast: "I got a blue balloon, we ate chocolate cake, and we played musical chairs!"

Even with all those details, what is the **one big thing** your friend is really telling you about?

The **main idea** is the most important point of what someone is saying — what the message is mostly about.

You can think of the main idea like a big **umbrella** that covers all the smaller details underneath it.

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
  <meta charset="UTF-8">
  <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
  <meta name="aspect-ratio" content="4:3">
  <title>Main Idea Umbrella</title>
  <style>
    * {
      box-sizing: border-box;
      margin: 0;
      padding: 0;
      font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, sans-serif;
    }

    body {
      background: #f8f9fa;
      color: #1e2945;
      display: flex;
      flex-direction: column;
      align-items: center;
      justify-content: center;
      min-height: 100%;
      padding: 16px;
      user-select: none;
      -webkit-user-select: none;
    }

    .container {
      width: 100%;
      max-width: 480px;
      display: flex;
      flex-direction: column;
      align-items: center;
      gap: 14px;
    }

    .toggle-bar {
      display: flex;
      background: #e2e8f0;
      padding: 3px;
      border-radius: 24px;
      gap: 4px;
    }

    .toggle-btn {
      border: none;
      background: transparent;
      padding: 6px 16px;
      border-radius: 20px;
      font-size: 13px;
      font-weight: 600;
      color: #64748b;
      cursor: pointer;
      transition: all 0.25s ease;
    }

    .toggle-btn.active {
      background: #ffffff;
      color: #3b82f6;
      box-shadow: 0 2px 6px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.08);
    }

    .scene {
      width: 100%;
      background: #ffffff;
      border-radius: 16px;
      padding: 18px 14px 16px;
      box-shadow: 0 4px 16px rgba(30, 41, 69, 0.05);
      display: flex;
      flex-direction: column;
      align-items: center;
      position: relative;
    }

    /* Umbrella Structure */
    .umbrella-top {
      width: 100%;
      max-width: 320px;
      background: linear-gradient(135deg, #3b82f6 0%, #2563eb 100%);
      color: #ffffff;
      border-radius: 160px 160px 16px 16px;
      padding: 20px 14px 16px;
      text-align: center;
      box-shadow: 0 8px 20px rgba(37, 99, 235, 0.25);
      position: relative;
      cursor: pointer;
      transition: transform 0.2s ease, box-shadow 0.2s ease;
    }

    .umbrella-top:active {
      transform: scale(0.98);
    }

    .badge {
      display: inline-block;
      font-size: 10px;
      letter-spacing: 0.08em;
      text-transform: uppercase;
      background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.22);
      padding: 2px 8px;
      border-radius: 10px;
      margin-bottom: 4px;
      font-weight: 700;
    }

    .umbrella-title {
      font-size: 16px;
      font-weight: 700;
      line-height: 1.2;
    }

    .umbrella-stick {
      width: 4px;
      height: 32px;
      background: #94a3b8;
      border-radius: 2px;
      margin-top: -2px;
      position: relative;
      z-index: 1;
    }

    .umbrella-handle {
      width: 16px;
      height: 14px;
      border: 4px solid #94a3b8;
      border-top: none;
      border-radius: 0 0 10px 10px;
      margin-top: -4px;
      margin-left: 6px;
    }

    /* Details Area */
    .details-row {
      display: grid;
      grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr);
      gap: 8px;
      width: 100%;
      margin-top: 10px;
      position: relative;
      z-index: 2;
    }

    .detail-card {
      background: #f1f5f9;
      border: 2px solid #e2e8f0;
      border-radius: 12px;
      padding: 10px 6px;
      text-align: center;
      display: flex;
      flex-direction: column;
      align-items: center;
      gap: 4px;
      transition: all 0.2s ease;
      cursor: pointer;
    }

    .detail-card.active, .detail-card:hover {
      border-color: #3b82f6;
      background: #eff6ff;
      transform: translateY(-2px);
    }

    .detail-icon {
      font-size: 16px;
      line-height: 1;
    }

    .detail-text {
      font-size: 12px;
      font-weight: 600;
      color: #334155;
      line-height: 1.2;
    }

    .hint-bar {
      font-size: 12px;
      color: #64748b;
      font-weight: 500;
      display: flex;
      align-items: center;
      gap: 6px;
    }

    .hint-dot {
      width: 6px;
      height: 6px;
      border-radius: 50%;
      background: #3b82f6;
    }
  </style>
</head>
<body>
  <div class="container">
    <div class="toggle-bar">
      <button class="toggle-btn active" id="btn-concept" onclick="setMode('concept')">Concept</button>
      <button class="toggle-btn" id="btn-example" onclick="setMode('example')">Example</button>
    </div>

    <div class="scene">
      
      <div class="umbrella-top" id="canopy">
        <div class="badge" id="canopy-badge">Big Picture</div>
        <div class="umbrella-title" id="canopy-text">Main Idea</div>
      </div>

      
      <div class="umbrella-stick"></div>
      <div class="umbrella-handle"></div>

      
      <div class="details-row">
        <div class="detail-card" onclick="flashCard(this)">
          <div class="detail-icon" id="d1-icon">🔍</div>
          <div class="detail-text" id="d1-text">Detail 1</div>
        </div>
        <div class="detail-card" onclick="flashCard(this)">
          <div class="detail-icon" id="d2-icon">🔍</div>
          <div class="detail-text" id="d2-text">Detail 2</div>
        </div>
        <div class="detail-card" onclick="flashCard(this)">
          <div class="detail-icon" id="d3-icon">🔍</div>
          <div class="detail-text" id="d3-text">Detail 3</div>
        </div>
      </div>
    </div>

    <div class="hint-bar">
      <span class="hint-dot"></span>
      <span id="caption">The umbrella covers every detail</span>
    </div>
  </div>

  <script>
    const data = {
      concept: {
        badge: "Big Picture",
        title: "Main Idea",
        d1: { icon: "🔍", text: "Key Detail" },
        d2: { icon: "🔍", text: "Key Detail" },
        d3: { icon: "🔍", text: "Key Detail" },
        caption: "The umbrella covers all smaller details"
      },
      example: {
        badge: "Spoken Message",
        title: "Bees help our world",
        d1: { icon: "🌸", text: "Pollinate flowers" },
        d2: { icon: "🍯", text: "Make sweet honey" },
        d3: { icon: "🌱", text: "Grow fresh crops" },
        caption: "Each fact supports the main message"
      }
    };

    function setMode(mode) {
      document.getElementById('btn-concept').classList.toggle('active', mode === 'concept');
      document.getElementById('btn-example').classList.toggle('active', mode === 'example');

      const d = data[mode];
      document.getElementById('canopy-badge').textContent = d.badge;
      document.getElementById('canopy-text').textContent = d.title;

      document.getElementById('d1-icon').textContent = d.d1.icon;
      document.getElementById('d1-text').textContent = d.d1.text;

      document.getElementById('d2-icon').textContent = d.d2.icon;
      document.getElementById('d2-text').textContent = d.d2.text;

      document.getElementById('d3-icon').textContent = d.d3.icon;
      document.getElementById('d3-text').textContent = d.d3.text;

      document.getElementById('caption').textContent = d.caption;
    }

    function flashCard(el) {
      el.classList.add('active');
      setTimeout(() => el.classList.remove('active'), 500);
    }
  </script>
</body>
</html>

How can you catch the main idea when someone is speaking?

While you listen, ask yourself one simple question: **What is this whole message mostly about?**

Listen for words that get repeated or connected clues that all point to the same topic.

Let's test this out with a real morning announcement at school!

Listen closely to Principal Rivera's morning message over the loudspeaker:

"Good morning! It is pouring rain today. Please keep your raincoats on in the hallway, and everyone will stay inside the gym for recess."

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
  <meta charset="UTF-8">
  <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
  <meta name="aspect-ratio" content="4:3">
  <title>Finding the Main Idea</title>
  <style>
    * {
      box-sizing: border-box;
      margin: 0;
      padding: 0;
    }
    body {
      font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;
      color: #1e2945;
      background: transparent;
      padding: 12px;
      display: flex;
      flex-direction: column;
      align-items: center;
      justify-content: space-between;
      min-height: 100%;
      user-select: none;
    }

    /* Controls bar */
    .controls {
      display: flex;
      align-items: center;
      gap: 8px;
      margin-bottom: 12px;
    }
    .btn-step {
      background: #f1f5f9;
      border: 1px solid #e2e8f0;
      color: #1e2945;
      padding: 6px 12px;
      border-radius: 20px;
      font-size: 14px;
      font-weight: 600;
      cursor: pointer;
      display: inline-flex;
      align-items: center;
      gap: 4px;
      transition: all 0.25s ease;
    }
    .btn-step:hover {
      background: #e2e8f0;
    }
    .btn-step.active {
      background: #22b7ff;
      color: #ffffff;
      border-color: #22b7ff;
      box-shadow: 0 2px 8px rgba(34, 183, 255, 0.35);
    }
    .btn-play {
      background: #ffffff;
      border: 1px solid #cbd5e1;
      width: 32px;
      height: 32px;
      border-radius: 50%;
      display: flex;
      align-items: center;
      justify-content: center;
      cursor: pointer;
      font-size: 13px;
      color: #1e2945;
      transition: background 0.2s;
    }
    .btn-play:hover {
      background: #f8fafc;
    }

    /* Diagram Canvas */
    .diagram-area {
      width: 100%;
      max-width: 540px;
      display: flex;
      flex-direction: column;
      align-items: center;
      gap: 12px;
      flex-grow: 1;
      justify-content: center;
    }

    /* Clue Cards Grid */
    .clues-grid {
      display: grid;
      grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr);
      gap: 10px;
      width: 100%;
    }
    .clue-card {
      background: #ffffff;
      border: 2px solid #e2e8f0;
      border-radius: 14px;
      padding: 10px 6px;
      text-align: center;
      cursor: pointer;
      transition: all 0.3s ease;
      display: flex;
      flex-direction: column;
      align-items: center;
      justify-content: center;
      gap: 4px;
    }
    .clue-icon {
      font-size: 26px;
      line-height: 1.2;
    }
    .clue-text {
      font-size: 14px;
      font-weight: 600;
      color: #475569;
      line-height: 1.2;
    }

    /* Active clue states */
    .clue-card.highlight {
      border-color: #22b7ff;
      background: #f0f9ff;
      box-shadow: 0 4px 12px rgba(34, 183, 255, 0.2);
    }
    .clue-card.highlight .clue-text {
      color: #0284c7;
    }

    /* Converging Flow Connectors */
    .flow-connector {
      display: flex;
      justify-content: space-around;
      align-items: center;
      width: 80%;
      height: 24px;
      color: #94a3b8;
      font-size: 18px;
      font-weight: bold;
      transition: color 0.3s ease;
    }
    .flow-arrow {
      transition: all 0.3s ease;
      transform: translateY(0);
    }
    .flow-arrow.active {
      color: #22b7ff;
      transform: translateY(3px);
    }

    /* Main Idea Target Card */
    .main-idea-card {
      width: 100%;
      background: #ffffff;
      border: 2px dashed #cbd5e1;
      border-radius: 16px;
      padding: 14px 16px;
      display: flex;
      align-items: center;
      justify-content: center;
      gap: 12px;
      transition: all 0.3s ease;
    }
    .main-icon {
      font-size: 32px;
      opacity: 0.35;
      transition: all 0.3s ease;
    }
    .main-content {
      display: flex;
      flex-direction: column;
      align-items: flex-start;
      gap: 2px;
    }
    .main-badge {
      font-size: 11px;
      font-weight: 700;
      text-transform: uppercase;
      letter-spacing: 0.5px;
      color: #64748b;
    }
    .main-title {
      font-size: 16px;
      font-weight: 700;
      color: #94a3b8;
      transition: color 0.3s ease;
    }

    /* Complete State */
    .main-idea-card.complete {
      background: #ecfdf5;
      border-style: solid;
      border-color: #10b981;
      box-shadow: 0 4px 16px rgba(16, 185, 129, 0.18);
    }
    .main-idea-card.complete .main-icon {
      opacity: 1;
      transform: scale(1.1);
    }
    .main-idea-card.complete .main-badge {
      color: #059669;
    }
    .main-idea-card.complete .main-title {
      color: #065f46;
    }

    @media (max-width: 380px) {
      .clue-icon { font-size: 22px; }
      .clue-text { font-size: 13px; }
      .main-title { font-size: 15px; }
      .btn-step { padding: 4px 8px; font-size: 13px; }
    }
  </style>
</head>
<body>

  
  <div class="controls">
    <button class="btn-play" id="playBtn" title="Play/Pause" aria-label="Toggle autoplay">▶</button>
    <button class="btn-step active" data-step="0">Clue 1</button>
    <button class="btn-step" data-step="1">Clue 2</button>
    <button class="btn-step" data-step="2">Clue 3</button>
    <button class="btn-step" data-step="3">Main Idea ✦</button>
  </div>

  
  <div class="diagram-area">
    
    
    <div class="clues-grid">
      <div class="clue-card highlight" id="clue0">
        <span class="clue-icon">🌧️</span>
        <span class="clue-text">Pouring<br>rain</span>
      </div>
      <div class="clue-card" id="clue1">
        <span class="clue-icon">🧥</span>
        <span class="clue-text">Raincoats<br>on</span>
      </div>
      <div class="clue-card" id="clue2">
        <span class="clue-icon">🏀</span>
        <span class="clue-text">Gym<br>recess</span>
      </div>
    </div>

    
    <div class="flow-connector">
      <span class="flow-arrow active" id="arrow0">↓</span>
      <span class="flow-arrow" id="arrow1">↓</span>
      <span class="flow-arrow" id="arrow2">↓</span>
    </div>

    
    <div class="main-idea-card" id="mainCard">
      <div class="main-icon" id="mainIcon">☔</div>
      <div class="main-content">
        <span class="main-badge">Main Idea</span>
        <span class="main-title" id="mainTitle">Rainy School Day</span>
      </div>
    </div>

  </div>

  <script>
    const steps = [0, 1, 2, 3];
    let currentStep = 0;
    let isPlaying = false;
    let timer = null;

    const stepBtns = document.querySelectorAll('.btn-step');
    const playBtn = document.getElementById('playBtn');
    const clueCards = [
      document.getElementById('clue0'),
      document.getElementById('clue1'),
      document.getElementById('clue2')
    ];
    const arrows = [
      document.getElementById('arrow0'),
      document.getElementById('arrow1'),
      document.getElementById('arrow2')
    ];
    const mainCard = document.getElementById('mainCard');

    function renderStep(idx) {
      currentStep = idx;

      // Update control tabs
      stepBtns.forEach((btn, i) => {
        btn.classList.toggle('active', i === idx);
      });

      if (idx < 3) {
        // Individual clue spotlight
        clueCards.forEach((card, i) => {
          card.classList.toggle('highlight', i === idx);
        });
        arrows.forEach((arr, i) => {
          arr.classList.toggle('active', i === idx);
        });
        mainCard.classList.remove('complete');
      } else {
        // Step 4: Full synthesis / Main idea revealed
        clueCards.forEach(card => card.classList.add('highlight'));
        arrows.forEach(arr => arr.classList.add('active'));
        mainCard.classList.add('complete');
      }
    }

    function nextStep() {
      const next = (currentStep + 1) % steps.length;
      renderStep(next);
    }

    function startAutoPlay() {
      isPlaying = true;
      playBtn.textContent = '⏸';
      timer = setInterval(nextStep, 3200);
    }

    function pauseAutoPlay() {
      isPlaying = false;
      playBtn.textContent = '▶';
      if (timer) {
        clearInterval(timer);
        timer = null;
      }
    }

    // Step button interactions
    stepBtns.forEach(btn => {
      btn.addEventListener('click', () => {
        pauseAutoPlay();
        renderStep(parseInt(btn.getAttribute('data-step'), 10));
      });
    });

    // Clue card click interactions
    clueCards.forEach((card, i) => {
      card.addEventListener('click', () => {
        pauseAutoPlay();
        renderStep(i);
      });
    });

    // Main idea card click interaction
    mainCard.addEventListener('click', () => {
      pauseAutoPlay();
      renderStep(3);
    });

    // Play/Pause toggle
    playBtn.addEventListener('click', () => {
      if (isPlaying) {
        pauseAutoPlay();
      } else {
        nextStep();
        startAutoPlay();
      }
    });

    // Initial render
    renderStep(0);
  </script>
</body>
</html>

The main idea is that **it is a rainy day at school**.

The raincoats and the gym are just smaller **details** that explain what to do because of the rain.

What is the biggest trick that confuses listeners?

A common mistake is picking one tiny detail and thinking it is the whole story.

If you say the message was only about **raincoats**, you miss the big point that the entire school day changed because of the rain.

Next time someone gives you instructions or tells a story, keep asking yourself: "What is the umbrella idea here?"

Finding the Main Idea in a Spoken Message. Listen to a spoken message and identify the main idea being communicated.

Understanding Spoken Texts and Identifying Key Points (Early Primary)

KS1 English: Active Listening and Understanding Spoken Ideas

Grade 1 & 2 Reading and Listening: Determine the Main Idea

In Years 1-2, comprehension of spoken messages precedes written text comprehension. Teachers should model active listening using think-alouds ('When I heard the speaker talk about hats and running shoes, I knew those were clues about Sports Day'). Pairing spoken audio with visual metaphors (such as the umbrella or ice cream cone) and providing sentence stems (e.g., 'This message is mostly about...' or 'The big idea is...') supports oral language development and aligns with the receptive and interactive requirements of AC9E1LY02 and AC9E1LY05.

Finding the Main Idea in a Spoken Message

The Big Picture

The Clue Question

Listening to a Message