RATIONALE: In order for children to develop full comprehension of the text they must learn to summarize and focus on the main points. Within this lesson the children will learn to summarize different articles taken from the magazine, National Geographic kids by creating a web.

MATERIALS: Computer for each child to read articles or printouts of each article (Fun Facts on Koalas and National Geographic News on Jumbo Squids), blank web diagram worksheets, checklist of the 6 steps to follow to summarize a text, pencil, dry erase board, dry erase marker

1.) Each student will read both of the articles. One of the articles is shorter then the other. This will encourage them to pick out only the most important information. I will introduce each article. Discuss with the class how to read silently. "Now class, I want everyone to read both of the articles silently to yourself. One of the articles talks about the mystery of the Jumbo squid and the other article discusses interesting facts about koala bears. As you are reading remember to pay close attention to the main points. Remember your eyes should be moving as you read the article not your lips. When you are done find something silently to do at your desk until everyone has finished reading."

2.) "Excellent job! I did not hear anyone's voice while reading. Now, who can explain to me how to summarize an article? Let's discuss the 6 steps of summarization. Everyone follow along with your checklist." Read aloud and discuss each step with the students.
1. Delete unimportant information
2. Delete repeated information
3. Substitute easy terms for lists of items
4. Add a series of events with an easy action term
5. Select a topic
6. Invent a topic sentence if there is none

3.) "Now let's discuss the Koala article together. I am going to draw a web on the board. Remember to use your summary checklist. What do I put as the main topic in the middle of the web? (Koala) Who can tell me a major point about Koalas that was written in the article?" Call on students and write the points on the web. Explain that from the web we should be able to write one paragraph summarizing the entire article. "Because we have made a web listing the major points, we can then create a paragraph summarizing the whole article. Each part of the web can be written out as a sentence to form a short paragraph."

4.) Assessment: When the students have said all the major points have the students do their own webs from the second article about Jumbo squids. "Now that we did a web together, I want everyone to do their own web. Use the worksheet as a start and write as many major points you feel is necessary. Again, remember to use your summary checklist."

5.) Afterwards, have the students work in groups to compare their webs and make a final web with what the group considers the major points. "Now I want each table to discuss their webs and create one web together by discussing which major points to include. I will collect both of the webs but this gives everyone a chance to understand the major points of the article." As the students are working on the webs I will walk around and help the students.


Web page by Lyndsay York titled Summing It All Up

Fun Facts on Koalas~ National Geographic Article

National Geographic news on Jumbo Squids~ National Geographic Article

Pressley, M., Johnson, C.J., Symons, S., McGoldrick, J.A., & Kurity, J.A., & Kurity, J.A. (1989). Strategies that improve childen's memory and comprehension of text. Pages 3-32.

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