Best-of-Smekens Writing Conference:
Writing Remix 2019

SECRET SITE

Six-Traits Essentials | Grammar & Conventions | Writing About Reading

Modes & Genres | Writer’s Workshop Management | Text-Based Responses

Writing About Reading

Quick Links:
Session 1: Generate 4 Types of Narratives in Response to Reading
Session 2: Annotate & Note-Take in Preparation for Writing
Session 3: Write After-Reading Summaries in the Content Areas
Session 4: Generate Opinion-Based Reading Responses
Session 5: Cultivate Compare-Contrast Writing Skills

SESSION 3

Write After-Reading Summaries in the Content Areas

Define the goal of a summary

Paraphrase author ideas.

Identify important information with Detail Lists

20-Point Detail List
Template | Example

Using text features, generate a Title-Wave Summary

Utilize the subheadings of a longer text to generate a summary after reading.

Grade 4 Whole-Class Example

Complete an Information Pyramid

Students customize their understandings by completing an Information Pyramid with no one right answer.

Descriptive (Element/Concept)
Template | Smartboard

Support comprehensive summaries with frames

Students can hone their summarizing skills by completing the Somebody… Wanted… But… So… Then… frame.

Somebody…wanted…but…so…then
SWBST Chart Icons

Students’ oral and written summaries need to match the same text structure of the passage.

Shrink the summary

Once students can generate a summary, then whittle down to the main idea from there. Provide smaller and smaller paper (or decrease their word limit). Challenge them to emphasize the most important and utilize precise word choice to create a single-sentence main-idea statement on a sticky note.