Reading Strategy Lesson

Teacher: Kyla Swanson

Grade Level: First Grade

Date: 28 February 2018
Format: Together
Individual
Together
Individual
Together

Gradual release can be seen when the teacher models a

summary, using the words who, what, where, when,
how/why. As the teacher continues to read the story the
student will become more comfortable summarizing
the pages on their own—ultimately leading to the
student forming a summary of the whole book at the
end of the lesson.
Strategy: Synthesizing and Summarizing

Objective/Purpose/Instructional Goals: Student will be able to use the strategy of

Texts/Resources/Materials:
Assessment(s):
summarizing to restate what they know.
Student will be able to recognize what
makes a good summary. Student will be
able to describe their current knowledge
about a given topic and describe how their
knowledge has expanded using the
strategy of synthesizing. Teacher will use
topic of geography and animals to guide
the student in this lesson.
Book Komodo by Peter Sis
Map of South East Asia and USA
Markers, drawing paper
Words Synthesizing and Summarizing
written on umbrellas
Sticky notes
Synthesis worksheet
Pre-Assessments: Student will draw/write words and
or pictures of what they know about the words
synthesizing and summarizing. Student will be able to
write facts they already know about Komodos and
Indonesia. Student will write words that make for a
good summary: who, what, where, when, why/how.
Student will use these words to summarize what has
happened in their day so far—teacher will model first.
Formative Assessment: Teacher will read book
Komodo. Teacher will ask student to write down facts
that they learn and that will help them expand their

Brief outline (Activities):
knowledge. Student will raise thumb when they want
to summarize a few pages.
Summative Assessment: Student will fill out post
reading worksheet: what did they learn. Student will
share how the book helped them expand their
knowledge. Student will also add words or pictures
under the umbrella with the word Synthesizing to see
what they learned about synthesizing. Student will then
answer the who, what, where, when, why/how
questions which they will then use to summarize the
whole book.
1. Teacher presents words Synthesizing and
Summarizing on umbrella. Teacher asks student to
write or draw on a sticky note any pictures or words
that come to mind when they hear these words.
Teacher may provide an example if student is stuck.
(Teacher may review umbrellas with previous learned
words if desired) (Activating prior knowledge)
2. After teacher models to the student, teacher will ask
student to give a summary of what they did in their day
so far—while introducing them to using the words
who, what, where, when, why/how. (ask student where
he has seen these words before "questioning!")
(Activating prior knowledge)
3. Teacher will show cover of book they will be
reading and ask student to write down what they
already know about Komodo (on the synthesizing
worksheet). Student will review visualization by
drawing a picture of what they think a Komodo looks
like while teacher reads a descriptive passage. Student
may infer what a Komodo is based on the cover
picture. (Activating prior knowledge, work on
writing)
4. Teacher will then show a map of Indonesia telling
the student it is where the story will take place.
Teacher should emphasize that where the story takes
place is important when summarizing. Teacher will
then show a map of North America and show student
where we live. Teacher will ask student what kind of
animals live in Michigan—compare to what kind of
animals live in Indonesia. (Activating prior
knowledge)
5. Teacher will read story:
-Teacher will ask student to write down facts they are
learning about the Komodo and Indonesia
-Teacher will ask student to put up their thumb
whenever they feel like they can summarize a few
pages.
-If confused, student may ask questions and reread to
help them summarize what happened. (Self reading)

NOTES *Use this area to jot down any notes aboutSynthesizing: Student is expanding their knowledge
the strategy or lesson.
-Teacher asks student to visualize what they would do
if they were in given situation. (Listen to reading,
guided reading)
6. After reading, teacher will ask student to write down
what they learned in the post reading category on the
worksheet. Student will share with teacher. (Work on
writing, word work, independent learning, Post-
reading).
7. Using the words who, what, where, when, how/why,
student will verbally summarize the whole story.
8. If time, student may reread the story and add
anything to their worksheet that they have learned.
(Gradual Release)
and putting facts together to see what they learned.
Student will recognize that initially, their knowledge
was limited, but their minds were opened to new facts
and ideas.
Summarizing: Student is using the words of another
author and putting what is important into their own
words—emphasizing the main ideas. Student can use
the skill of summarizing to briefly share what
happened in their day when having a conversation.