Skill library: Summarizing

Welcome to the Storyworks Skill Library! Use the video below to introduce summarizing to your students. Then have them practice the skill on a story of their choice with our guided interactive activity. 

 

Essential Question: How can summarizing help you better understand what you read?

 

What is a Summary?

 Learn how to summarize in this interactive video.

Guided Interactive Activity

Use this interactive slide deck to guide your students through a summarizing journey.

Need a Printable PDF?

Download this evergreen activity to summarize any Storyworks story.

Top stories for teaching summarizing:

PAIRED TEXTS The Great Stink In 1858, London had a big, smelly problem: Its largest river was overflowing with poop.
NONFICTION The Pigeon Hero of World War I The incredible true story of Cher Ami, the bird that saved nearly 200 American soldiers during World War I
PAIRED TEXTS Toys or Treasures? Some toys get more valuable as they get older. Does this mean your old stuffed animals are worth thousands of dollars?
NONFICTION Monster of the Deep For centuries, no one believed the giant squid was real—until scientists made a shocking discovery.
NONFICTION Saving America’s Wolves The story of the amazing comeback of a species from near-extinction
PLAY Girl. Fighter. Hero. During a terrible war, Sybil Ludington takes on a daring deed to save the country she loves. Will she survive?