summarizing (0.45)

Definition:

The ability to summarize a text is often taken as a marker of reading comprehension.

Summarization can include:

deleting unnecessary material
deleting material that is redundant
substituting a subordinate term for a list of items or actions
selecting a topic sentence and constructing a topic if one is only implicitly suggested by the text

steps for summarization

Step #1: Clarify what's important.

Step #2: Familiarize students with multiple text structures.

Step #3: Help students recognize layers.

Step #4: Encourage graphic representations.

Step #5: Review essential terminology.

Source: The Art and Science of Teaching / Summarizing to Comprehend

google Tools

Summary Chart Template

Students can use a Google Doc to summarize. Using a summary chart, students can type words and phrases with relevant information.

The summary chart is set up in the order that the information could then be formed into a paragraph.

Source: Reading in Room 11

In his blog, Eric Curts explains how to highlight important pieces of information and then black out the rest.

Voice Typing in Google Docs

Students can dictate summarizations.

Yellow Highlighter Pen for Web - This extension does exactly what its name implies – it highlights in yellow portions of Web pages.

Auto Highlight - This Chrome extension takes a different approach to summarizing. Instead of removing the non-essential portions of the text, it highlights what is most important. Simply click the extension when reading an article online, and the most important sentences will be highlighted yellow. You can click the extension again to get more sentences highlighted, and a third time to get the most sentences highlighted. Clicking it again will turn off the highlights and let you start over if you wish.

Publishing summaries

Buncee - Students are able to summarize the main ideas of a text in audio format. What is exciting is that students can use Buncee as a tool for collaboration. They can incorporate video, audio, and other multimedia. View this example and read more about Buncee here.