Summarizing helps students become aware of the text structure while breaking down a piece into a brief statement that contains the main idea and key details. National Reading Panel

===== Summarizing in the Classroom =====
Used both as a reading comprehension assessment technique and a comprehension startegy instruction shown to improve scores on comprehension measures.

Oral retelling and short answer retelling can give you as a teacher a quick snapshot on students understanding.

==== Summarizing Narrative Texts ====

When teaching summarizing of a narrative text focus on the story structure. As a teacher think aloud and point out temporal words, like first, second, and last.

Use graphic organizers to help identify story elements such as: setting, characters, problems, sequence of events, outcome, and theme.

When summarizing narrative text you focus on the elements of plot: problems, sequence of events, outcome. As a teacher can do this by asking students questions about the story structure. 



PreK-K
  * Listen to stories
  * Link real life events in order
  * Explicitly use words "beginning, middle, end and first, second, and third"
  * Focus on event listening and retelling events in sequence

K-2
  * Model the retelling of key plot events and details
  * Assist students in oral retellings
  * Have students illustrate story frames

2-4
  * Require students to summarize plot 
  * Retell and write key events in sequential order
  * Explain how other story elements impact key events of the plot

==== Summarizing Informational Texts ====