| Full lesson | Create for a teacher a set of content for giving a lesson, beginning with the lesson plan. Each new block of materials must begin with an H1 heading (other subheaders must be H2, H3, etc). When you describe required pictures, write those descriptions in curly brackets, for example: {A picture of a triangle} |
| Which subject | Reading |
| What topic | Writing a summary |
| What length (min) | 30 |
| What age group | Year or Grade 6 |
| Class size | 20 |
| What curriculum | |
| Include full script | |
| Check previous homework | |
| Ask some students to presents their homework | |
| Add a physical break | |
| Add group activities | |
| Include homework | |
| Show correct answers | |
| Prepare slide templates | |
| Number of slides | 5 |
| Create fill-in cards for students | |
| Create creative backup tasks for unexpected moments |
Reading
Writing a Summary
Grade 6
30 minutes
20 students
This lesson corresponds to the national standards for reading comprehension and summarization skills.
| Step Number | Step Title | Length | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction | 5 mins | Introduce the concept of summarization and its importance in understanding texts. Discuss what makes a good summary. |
| 2 | Reading Activity | 10 mins | Distribute the reading passage to students and allow them to read silently. Encourage them to highlight key ideas and details. |
| 3 | Printable Card Distribution | 5 mins | Hand out printable cards to each student for them to fill out their summary as they work. Explain how to fill them out. |
| 4 | Summary Writing Practice | 5 mins | Allow students to write their summaries on the cards. Monitor and assist where necessary. |
| 5 | Random Checking | 3 mins | Collect the printable cards for a quick check of the summaries. Provide feedback on content without calling students to present. |
| 6 | Homework Assignment | 2 mins | Briefly explain the homework assignment related to summarizing another text and remind students of the importance of practicing these skills. |
Assign a summarization exercise related to a different text that students will complete at home. The homework will be collected but not presented by the students in class.
“Good morning, class! Today, we are going to explore an important skill called summarization. Does anyone know what it means to summarize a text? [Pause for responses] Exactly! To summarize is to take a larger piece of text and condense it into a shorter version, capturing the main ideas and essential details.
Now, can anyone tell me why summarizing is important? [Pause for responses] Great points! Summarizing helps us understand and remember what we've read. It also allows us to communicate the main points to others quickly. A good summary should include the key ideas without too much detail. So, let's dive into how we can effectively summarize!”
“Now, I will hand out a short reading passage. As you read silently, I want you to think about the main ideas and important details. Feel free to highlight or underline anything that stands out to you. Remember, these are the pieces of information that will be crucial for your summaries. You’ll have about 10 minutes to read this passage. Please raise your hand if you have any questions while you work.”
[Distribute reading passage and give students time to read.]
“Time's up! I hope you all found some key ideas in the text. Now, I'm going to give each of you a printable card. This card is where you will write your summary.
Please take a look at the instructions on the card. You need to write down the main idea at the top and then list three key details underneath. Remember to keep your summary brief and to the point. Let’s take the next 5 minutes to fill these out. If you have any questions while writing, just raise your hand and I’ll help you out.”
[Distribute printable cards and provide time for students to fill them out.]
“Okay, everyone, you have your card filled out. Now, it's time to finalize your summaries. You will have another 5 minutes to clearly write your summaries on the card. Focus on clarity and brevity. I'll walk around the room to assist anyone who needs help. Please begin writing!”
[Monitor students and provide assistance as needed.]
“Alright, let’s pause and collect your cards. I will quickly review them to see how you did with your summaries. Don’t worry, I won’t be calling anyone up to present, but I will provide some feedback on your work.
As I collect the cards, think about what you've learned today about highlighting key ideas and writing succinctly. This will help you not only in this exercise but in all your reading moving forward.”
[Collect cards and provide informal feedback as you review them.]
“Thank you for your hard work today! For homework, I want you to practice your summarization skills again. You will receive a different text to summarize at home. Make sure to follow the same format we used today—write the main idea and a few key details.
Remember, summarizing is a great way to enhance your understanding and communication skills. Please bring your homework back to class for us to review. If you have any questions about the homework, just let me know.
That’s all for today, everyone! Great job, and I look forward to seeing your summaries tomorrow!”
What does it mean to summarize a text? Provide your own definition in your own words.
Why is summarizing an important skill? List at least three reasons we discussed in class.
After reading a passage, what steps should you take to identify the main ideas and important details? Outline a process for summarizing.
When writing your summary, what should you include at the top?
How many key details should you list under the main idea in your summary?
Why is it important to keep your summary brief and to the point?
In your own words, explain the difference between a summary and a detailed retelling of a text.
Find a short article online or from a book that interests you. Read it and then write a summary using the format practiced in class (main idea and key details).
Reflect on your summary writing from today. What challenges did you face when trying to condense the information? How did you overcome them?
How can the skill of summarization benefit you in your other subjects or in everyday life? Provide at least two examples.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What does it mean to summarize a text? | |
| Why is summarizing an important skill? | |
| What are the key elements that should be included in a summary? | |
| How long were the students given to read the passage? | |
| What should students do while reading the passage? | |
| What is the purpose of the printable card given to students? | |
| How are students instructed to format their summary? | |
| How much time were students given to finalize their summaries? | |
| What kind of feedback was provided on the summary cards? | |
| What is the homework assignment related to summarization? | |
| Why is summarizing considered beneficial for reading comprehension? | |
| How can summarization aid in communication skills? |