Rationale:  The main goal in reading is to comprehend what one has read.  In order to comprehend what was read, then the reader must be able to tell what is important information compared to what are trivial details.  This is picking out the main ideas.  This lesson will help children to comprehend what they have read through reading chapters from a chapter book and shortening the chapters to thee main points (summarizing).

Materials: Paper, pencils, a copy of the book Alison’s Wings by Marion Dane Bauer for each student.

Procedure:
1. Begin by explaining to the children that it is very important that when we read, we understand what is read, and we can remember some of what we have read.  This is especially important when we get into reading chapter books, were it might take us days or weeks to finish the book.  One way to do this is by summarizing.  Summarizing is when we take what we have read and pick out some of the most important (big) points.  This way we will know the main idea of the text we are reading.
2. Next, the teacher will read out loud chapter one of Alison’s Wings. The children can follow along it they wish, or they may close their eyes and try to picture the story as the teacher reads.  After this is done, then the class as a whole will come up with a summary.  Class, we are now going to write a summary of this chapter.  In order to do this we need to pick out the main points of this chapter and the details.  We are going to use the main points of the chapter to write a summary.  By summarizing we are writing a short version of the chapter by throwing out the details.  Let's make a list of the main points of the chapter.  As the children call out parts of the story, the teacher will write them on the board underneath the title that either says "main points", or "details".  As the teacher writes them on the board, discuss with the children why they are main points or details.  (Ex. yes, the fact that Allison wants to grow wings is a main point of the chapter.  Everything else that was in the chapter was based around that.)
3. For assessment, the children will read chapter two silently and make a list of the main points and some details. Then they will write a summary individually to be turned into the teacher.

Reference:
 http://www.auburn.edu/rdggenie/breakthroughs/cowhickrl.html
Alison's Wings by: Marion Dane Bauer

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