Summarizing is about retelling the information and paraphrasing it. When readers summarize, they need to sift through large amounts of information to extract the essential ideas " (Harvey & Goudvis, 2007, p. 19)
*This fun video found on YouTube introduces summarizing by describing what happens in the beginning, middle, and end of a story. In the video, an alien, Rita Booker, uses the story of “The Three Little Aliens” to model summarizing the beginning, middle, and end of a story for children. Watch and enjoy here.
*Who doesn’t love "The Hokey Pokey?" Thanks to this catchy tune, students will have a blast summarizing. This FREE resource on “Summarizing Hokey Pokey” includes the following:
- lyrics to the song
- graphic organizers on beginning, middle, and end, as well as The Fab 5, story maps, and more!
summarizingsongposterandgraphicorganizers1.pdf | |
File Size: | 1869 kb |
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*Here is a great, versatile resource that can easily be modified to fit a wide range of instructional purposes. While these beaded bracelets were originally intended for vocabulary and paraphrasing, the colors can easily be modified to represent: characters, beginning, major events, problem, solution, end, etc. Students can create their own bracelets using plastic or wooden beads. They can also keep the color key on or inside their desks. The teacher may display the key on a classroom poster for reference. This is an easy way to incorporate supports for visual and tactile learners within your classroom.
by Sue Jaeger, MS/CCC-SLP
More information on this resource can be found here
by Sue Jaeger, MS/CCC-SLP
More information on this resource can be found here
*This FREE set of documents includes information for introducing a “Fab 5 Summary” (who, wanted, but, so, then) to ensure students only include the major details of a text as they summarize. Included in this document are common core aligned standards, description of the “Fab 5,” an example summary, graphic organizers, and even a scoring rubric for student summaries.
Made by: Margret Rodriguez, Teachers Pay Teachers
Made by: Margret Rodriguez, Teachers Pay Teachers
summarizingliterature.pdf | |
File Size: | 1457 kb |
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*Looking for a fun, interactive activity with real-life application? "Pack the Suitcase" is an excellent activity that teaches students to be conscious of including only important, necessary information within a summary. Students fill their "suitcases" with notes while reading a text. Before going on a trip, they must lighten their suitcases of any unnecessary details. Upon reaching their destination, students may then compare the contents of their suitcases with peers.
Specific directions for "Pack the Suitcase," created by Amanda, may be found on her blog: One Extra Degree or her personal page at Teachers Pay Teachers
Specific directions for "Pack the Suitcase," created by Amanda, may be found on her blog: One Extra Degree or her personal page at Teachers Pay Teachers
*Here is a FREE lesson created by Emily Foltz at Big Ideas in Teaching called "Sticky Note Summaries." The document includes: a description of summarizing, lesson procedures, and organizers. Within this lesson, students use sticky notes to write and organize the main ideas of a text. Students then use their notes to write a complete summary. This document is available for download here.
*In need of some ideas of books that may be used to introduce summarizing? Into the Book: Teaching Reading Comprehension website provides a list of books for summarizing, as well as other comprehension strategies. A list of titles can be found here.
*In search of more titles? Goodreads.com also has list of books you may find useful for instruction.
*In search of more titles? Goodreads.com also has list of books you may find useful for instruction.
When we summarize information during reading, we pull out the most important information and put it in our own words to remember it. Each bit of of information we encounter adds a piece to the construction of meaning." (Harvey & Goudvis, 2007, p. 217)
Harvey, S., & Goudvis, A. (2007). Strategies that work: Teaching comprehension for understanding and engagement. Portland, ME: Stenhouse Publishers.