Scholars learn about the Hero's Journey as they read Ray Bradbury's "The Drummer Boy of Shiloh." They analyze the story's structure and narrative techniques. Finally, they write summaries of the text's central idea and use their...

Information that can be read or listened to that discusses two methods of how to write effective summaries as well as how to avoid plagiarism when summarizing informational texts. Finally, examples of literary summaries are provided....

In this lesson, The Important Book by Margaret Wise Brown is used as a mentor text. Students will create an illustrated paragraph about a particular math topic. Students will use the mentor text and attempt to adapt the author's style to...

An explanation and example of summarizing a paragraph, especially helpful for taking notes on texts.

In this short video, the strategies of summarizing, clarifying, and asking-answering questions are used. These instructional tools will help teachers show students how to access complex texts. [5:54] CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.R.10

Teach students to summarize nonfiction text with these lesson plans. Includes worksheets and activities that can be downloaded and printed.

To understand a text, you must understand the central idea of the story. Learn how to recognize the central idea and supporting details with this article. Click the links at bottom right.

Read a short informational text and determine the main idea and supporting details. Click to check your answers then click on Practice.

This tutorial focuses on active reading comprehension strategies including reading aloud, taking notes, summarizing, and writing in the margins of books to improve retention and class discussion. It includes two Flickr videos on active...

Slideshow provides an explanation of summarizing and describes how to make a good one.

In this slideshow tutorial, students are provided with notes that distinguish "summarizing" from "paraphrasing" content. Examples of effective summaries and paraphrases of text are provided. Then students have the opportunity to engage...

Tips on how to check understanding of text for adult learnings.

In this reading comprehension lesson unit, students are guided in learning how to find the main theme or idea of a text and understanding how details in the text convey that. Includes lots of exercises and examples, as well as...

Students will identify the main message and story behind the song "Cold Missouri Waters," by James Keelaghan; they will use a note-taking strategy and create a "found poem." They will then apply this strategy to an article from a printed...

Read a short text and then choose the best summary in this Rags to Riches learning game.

This Bible Tutor website identifies Micah and summarizes the Book of Micah. Provides link to Biblical text.

Sri Swami Sivananda summarizes the "origin" and "significance" of the ancient Upanishad texts.