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Rationale

Summarization is a key part of students learning as they are building their comprehension skills of reading text. One method of summarizing is, about-point, and in this method, students will answer: 1) What is this text about? 2) What is the main point the writer is making about the topic? From these two questions, the student will determine the topic, which will lay the foundation for the topic sentence. Then, they need to “superordinate” the points or find an overall term (umbrella) that will embody the main point of the text. The main point will be the base of the topic sentence. 

 

Materials

• A copy of the article for each student 

• Pencil

• Paper

• Summarization checklist

• Comprehension quiz

 

Procedures

1. Say: Do you think you could remember every word to a book that has 8 chapters in it? Well, you might, but it could take you hours or even days! This is why it is critical for good readers to learn how to use summarization strategies so they can remember only the most important points while reading. This will help you reduce the strain on your brain and make it easier to remember what was important from the text you just read. 

2. Say: We are going to learn how to summarize using, “about-point”. This is where you will ask yourself two questions to create your topic sentence. First, you will ask, “What is the text about?”, this should be easy to answer and you may even get it from the title. Then, ask, ”What is the main point the writer is trying to make about the topic?”, this will be a little harder because you will have to find an umbrella term for everything that is important in the passage. 

3. Say: In a minute I will model how I would use about-point with a paragraph on staying fit as a kid. After, you will finish reading the article. What does it take to be fit? Are there different components that go into being fit? Are eating habits something you can change to become more fit? What can you replace with “screen time” that will benefit your health? These are a few of the questions you will be able to answer after you complete the reading today. 

4. Say: Now, we are going to go over an important vocabulary word that you will need for the reading: nutrients. We get nutrients from things we eat like fruit, bread, meat, eggs, water, and many others. It is important because nutrients help us live and are healthy, give us energy, and helps us grow. For example, “The fruit yogurt I had for breakfast was full of nutrients.” The fruit yogurt fueled my body and gave me energy so I could be here to teach you. What is something that you eat that has nutrients in it? Fill in the blank: The nutrients in ___________ will help my body get what it needs to grow. 

5. Say: Here is a paragraph from the article:

 

“Being fit is a way of saying a person eats well, gets a lot of physical activity (exercise), and has a healthy weight. If you're fit, your body works well, feels good, and can do all the things you want to do, like run around with your friends.”

 

This paragraph is about being fit, but what is important about what the writer is telling us? To be fit you need to eat well, be physically active, and maintain a healthy weight. If you are fit then your body feels goods. When I put these two points together I make a topic sentence: A healthy lifestyle will keep your body fit and feeling good.

1. Say: Now I want you to try using about-point on a paragraph: 

 

“You may have a favorite food, but the best choice is to eat a variety. If you eat different foods, you're more likely to get the nutrients your body needs. Taste new foods and old ones you haven't tried for a while. Some foods, such as green veggies, may taste better the older you get. Shoot for at least five servings of fruits and vegetables a day — two fruits and three vegetables.”

 

What is this paragraph about? Correct, food! What is the main point the author is making about food? Yes, try different food because your preferences will change. And also, It is best to choose a variety of food to get all of the nutrients your body needs. How can we combine those together and include food in them? Keep trying new and old food because a variety is the best way for your body to get the nutrients it needs. 

1. Say: Alright, I want you to finish reading the article while using about-point to make a topic sentence for each paragraph. In the end, you should have made a summary that will help you remember what it takes to be fit. You should not include examples, a list, or anything not important that is only there they help you understand the main point. This should be written in your own words and only the things that are most important about the article. When everyone finishes we will have a quiz. 

 

Assessment

Have students turn in their summaries and grade them with the following checklist: 

 

[   ] Identified the important ideas

[   ] Did not include examples, list, or unimportant information

[   ] Length of article reduced

[   ] Captured the main point of each paragraph through the sentence

[   ] Properly organized 

 

Quiz: 

1. How can you keep your body fit and feeling good? (A healthy lifestyle) 

2. What is the best way to get all of the nutrients your body needs from eating? (Eating a variety of food) 

3. What are the best two drinks for kids? (Water and Milk)

4.  You can also have 100% juice, but what should you avoid drinking? (Sugary drinks) 

5.  This can happen if you do NOT listen to your body, and overeat until you are uncomfortable. (Unhealthy weight gain)

6.  How often should you be active? (Regularly/every day)

7. Who could help a kid become fit? (A parent)

 

References

• Reviewed by: Mary L. Gavin, MD- Be a fit kid (for kids):                              https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/fit-kid.html?WT.ac=ctg#catfit

• Bruce Murry, Awaken the Main Idea:                                                        https://murraba.wixsite.com/reading-lessons/rl                   

 

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