Giving a summary can be super tricky, especially knowing *exactly* what is important enough to include and what information is OK to leave out.
One easy strategy I love to teach my kids is “Somebody-wanted-but-so”. To re-tell the story, the student would say, “Cinderella wanted to go to the ball, but her stepsisters wouldn’t let her. So her fairy godmother came and made her a dress. Cinderella wanted to stay at the ball all night, but she had to leave at midnight. So when the bell struck, she ran from the castle and lost her shoe. The prince wanted to know who the shoe belonged to but…” You get the idea. It’s a pretty basic summary, but is a great framework for helping kids understand what a summary even is!
I have made a set of summary conversation cards to help kiddos learn this strategy. You can get your free set over at my blog!
🙂
Christina
Mrs. Annis' Kindergarten says
Thank you!! I am brand new to all of this, but so excited!! (overwhelmed is the better word)