One Word Summary

Purpose:  to practice summarizing 

Preparation Time:  10 minutes

Materials Needed:  short reading passage at students' level

Procedure:

1.  Present a short reading passage to the students (read it to them, have them read it themselves, have them read it collaboratively, etc.).

2.  When finished, have a short discussion about the passage.

3.  Ask the students to write down ONE word to summarize the passage.

4.  Have students share the word they chose and WHY they chose it.

Variation:

Have the students do a one word summary for each paragraph or each sentence of the passage. It is a great way to teach note taking.