Rationale: While reading, a child needs to be able to comprehend.  This is extremely important.  The purpose of this lesson is to teach children how to summarize.  Summarizing is an important way to enable children to comprehend what they are reading.
Materials: paper, pencil, Treasures of the Tomb article, highlighter
Procedures:
1. “Today we are going to work on summarization. “Summarization is pulling out important information from something you read.  A summarization should be shorter than the actual source.”   I am going to pass out an article to each of you.  The title of the article is Treasures of the Tomb.
2. Does everyone know what it means to read silently?”  Wait for a response and continue.  “Reading silently involves reading without making sound.”
3. Pass the articles out to each student.  Advise them to read it silently.  Allow appropriate time for children to finish.
4. “I am going to model for you how to summarize a paragraph.”  Read the first two paragraphs aloud.  “Now, I want you to listen for the important facts as I read.”  After summarizing the two paragraphs, remind the students that you only pulled the useful or important information.
5. “Now, I want you to take out your paper and pencils.  Read the rest of the article silently.  Use your highlighter to highlight the parts that you think are important.”  Provide a sufficient amount of time for each student to finish.
6. “Now, I want you to write a summary of the rest of the article you just read.  Remember to only write the parts that you think are important.  Don’t forget to put it in your own words.”
7. While this is being done, walk around the class and observe each child’s summary.  Comment about the summaries and provide help if needed.
8. Assessment: “Now, I want you to take out another piece of paper and your pencils.  We are going to make a web of all of the important information found in the article.”  The children should know what a web is; however, demonstrate by doing an example on the board.
References: www.auburn.edu/rdggenie/elucid/kanuterl.html    Jen Kanute  Reading To Learn

Click here to return to inroads