Title – Summarizing

By – Stephanie Myers

Primary Subject – Language Arts

Grade Level – 6-8

Standard:

TLW demonstrate the ability to summarize and paraphrase texts 6-R1.4.

Objective:

The student will summarize (retell) the main idea of what he/she has read.

Big Idea:

Students should be able to read any texts and write or orally tell someone the main idea.

Essential Question:

How will you summarize (retell) the main idea of what you have read in 1-2 sentences?

Guided Practice:

1. Explain to student that to summarize a story or event is giving a quick retell of what has happened (main idea or essential information).

2. Give students and example of a favorite TV show or about the lesson from the prior day to model orally.

3. Have some students give an example of either his/her favorite TV show, what happened at dinner the night before, or some other event.

4. Remind students that while giving a summary, no one can afford to retell the entire story — we must only tell the important parts as long as anyone is able to understand what has happened.


A. Look for key details/events

B. Look for the major idea stated several times maybe in a different way.

C. Look for the author to sum up the main ideas at the end of the text.

D. Remember, some authors state the main idea directly and some main ideas one must infer.

5. Ask: What are some ways a person can distinguish between telling the most important parts of a story versus telling too much of the story?

6. After students give their answers, let them know that there is a way to keep the story short and sweet. It is called the “20 word summary.”

7. Examples may come from newspapers articles (preferably non-fiction). Give students the article and have them try to identify the main event(s) to retell and ask them to summarize in 20 words or less.

8. Have students share their summary, then share example given.

Independent Practice:

1. Give them another article and have them write a summary in 20 words or less independently.

2. Allow students to share

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Stephanie Myers

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