1. A Quick Lesson

2. Whats in a summary? Summarizing -retelling the most important ideas in your own words.Summarizing -retelling the most important ideas in your own words. A good summary tells the main idea in a few words, with 1 or 2 supporting details.A good summary tells the main idea in a few words, with 1 or 2 supporting details.

3. Example Artic foxes live in the tundra region near the Arctic where it is very cold. Their thick coats keep them warm. They can survive temperatures as low as 112 degrees below zero Fahrenheit. Arctic foxes eat fruits, berries, and small mammals. Small animals, such as voles and lemmings, are often part of their meals. Arctic foxes are well-suited to their snowy environment. Their white coat helps them blend in with their surroundings during the winter. Their beautiful coats are the same color as the snow.

4. Important Ideas to IncludeDetails Not to Include Arctic foxes live in the tundra. They can survive very cold temperatures. Arctic foxes eat fruit, berries, and small mammals. Arctic foxes have white coats that help them blend in with their environment. They can survive temperatures as low as 112 degrees below Fahrenheit. Voles and lemmings are often part of their meals. Their beautiful colors are the same color as the snow.

5. Summarizing Let's say that you just read the story of "The Three Little Pigs." Here is a summary of this story as a second grader might write it: The Three Little Pigs is about three pigs and a wolf. The wolf blows down two of the pigs' houses because he wants to eat them. He doesn't blow down the brick house, because it is too strong. He doesn't get to eat the pigs.

6. Summarizing When you summarize, you tell the most important events of the story in the correct sequence. A summary contains only the most important ideas. Do Do Tell only the most important ideasTell only the most important ideas Retell in your own wordsRetell in your own words Retell events or ideas in orderRetell events or ideas in order Dont Dont include very specific details change the authors meaning change the authors meaning

7. Focus Skill: Summarize To summarize is to tell the most important ideas and details. Polar bears are large white bears that live throughout the Arctic region. They have thick white fur, broad furry feet, and a long neck. Male polar bears can weigh up to 1600 pounds. Seals are the mainstay of a polar bears diet. Polar bears may also eat fish, seaweed, birds, reindeer, and grass. Polar bears use their strong swimming ability and swiftness on land to help them capture food. Now: Select Evaluate Summarize

8. Focus Skill: Summarizing SELECT: the most important ideas. What is the selection mainly about? EVALUATE: the importance of facts and details. Which ones support and explain the most important ideas? RECORD : your summary in a short and useful form. This will help you understand and remember what you read.