Let's Sum It Up


Courtney Hill


Reading to Learn



Rationale: Teachers can use children's summaries of text to see if they comprehend what they are reading, because without the ability to comprehend what one reads meaning of text is not gained. This is why summarization is one of the most important strategies for teaching comprehension. This lesson will show how teachers can teach children a very important step to learning to summarize.



Chalk board




Sarah Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan (Copy for everyone)

Checklist: Deleted unimportant information, deleted repeated information, picked out important words or phrases, organized thoughts, summary explains the meaning or point of the chapter.




1.      First we will begin with a review of silent reading. Does anyone know why it is important for us to read silently? We read silently so we can understand and comprehend what we are reading. Today we are going to learn another way that will help us make sure we understand what we are reading. Can anyone tell me what summarizing is? It is when you write a summary by picking out the main points in a story or passage. 


2. Review how to summarize: There are six different rules to know about when you summarize

·        Delete unimportant information

·        Delete repeated information

·        Substitute easy terms for lists of terms

·        Add a series of events with an action term

·        Select a topic sentence

·        Invent a topic sentence if there is none



3.      Introduce the book and model how to summarize. The book we are going to read and summarize is Sarah Plain and Tall. I will read the first chapter out loud to the class then model how to summarize the fist chapter on the board, p. 4-10. After reading the first chapter to the class I will make a web on the board of the important words or phrases that were discussed in the chapter. Next I will organize them and put them in order. When I am finished I will write a sentence or two that explains the meaning or point of the whole chapter.


4.      Now we are going to read chapter 2 as a class. When we are finished reading chapter 2 I will have the students to help me make a web. "Okay class, who remembers a key word or phrase form chapter 2." Now we are going to organize all of the words. "Now lets all write on paper a summary sentence for chapter 2. Walk around the rooms reading some of the sentences to make sure the students are on the right track. "Remember students pay attention to the rules of writing a summary." Have some of the students to read their sentences to the class. Explain that the summary sentence does not have to be the same for everyone as long as it captures the main idea of the passage.


5.      Now I want everyone to read chapter 3 silently and make a web on your own, organize your thoughts and write a sentence a sentence or two summarizing the chapter. Walk around the room to make sure everyone understands what to do and answer questions when necessary.


6.      After the students have finished reading chapter 3 and writing a summary sentence go over the chapter out loud and have some of the students to read their sentences.


7.      Assessment: Take up everyone's summaries of chapter 3 to make sure the students understand how to summarize a passage. Have a checklist prepared to help you know what to look for and know what areas the student still needs help on.



·        Deleted unimportant information

·        Deleted repeated information

·        Picked out important words or phrases

·        Organized thoughts  (putting words and phrases in order)

·        Summary explains the meaning or point of the chapter




Pressley, Michael, et al. (1989). "Strategies that Improve Children's Memory and Comprehension of Text." The Elementary Journal. Volume 90, Number 1. University of Chicago: Chicago, Illinois.


Bailey, Lindsay. Short and Sweet.



MacLachlan, Patricia. Sarah, Pain and Tall. HarperCollins Publishers Inc.  (1985).

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