The Evolution of Thought STRATEGIES THAT WORK: Summarizing and Synthesizing Information
Jan 17, 2016
The Evolution of Thought
STRATEGIES THAT WORK:
Summarizing and Synthesizing Information
SUMMARIZING: To pull out the most important information and put it in our own words to remember it.
SYNTHESIZING: Arranging multiple fragments of information until you see a new pattern emerge.
Defining the Terms:
Readers merge their thinking so that the new information makes sense
Backgroung Knowledge Impacts Sythesizing
There are eleven Strategy Lessons for Summarizing and Synthesizing in Chapter 11.
Strategy Lessons
PURPOSEProviding a basic framework to help students
begin to summarize information through a brief retelling of a story
RESPONSERecording brief summaries on sticky notes or
charts, or through discussion; one word lists of a synthesis
1. Retelling to Summarize Information:
PURPOSEMaking margin notes in your own words to
summarize sections of the textRESPONSE
Brackets in the margins for summarizing information
Sticky notes coded ‘S’ for summarizeTwo-column note form headed ‘What’s
Interesting’ & ‘What’s Important’
2. Paraphrasing to summzrize expository text:
PURPOSE:To notice how our thinking evolves and
changes as we readRESPONSE
Keeping track of changed thinking in reading logs
3. Sythesizing: How Reading Changes Thinking
PURPOSEComparing and contrasting properties to better
understand their essenceRESPONSE
Three column note form headed, ‘Compare & Contrast’
4. Comparing and Contrasting inScience and Social Studies:
PURPOSESummarizing the content of a piece of text and
responding personallyRESPONSE
A page of notebook paper divided horizontally with the top half marked ‘Summary’ and the bottom half marked ‘Response’
5. Summarizing the Content andAdding Personal Response
PURPOSETaking notes and using a variety of strategies
to synthesizeRESPONSE
List of notes and strategies; one page written responses
6. Reading for the 'gist'
PURPOSEDistinguishing between the summary of the
text and the reader’s thinkingRESPONSE
Two-column think sheet headed ‘What is the Piece About’ & ‘What it Makes Me Think About’
7. Writing a Short Summary
PURPOSEWriting from a first person perspective to
better understand the contributions of historical figures
RESPONSENote taking forms that support writing
8. Writing as Synthesis:Personalities from the Past
PURPOSENoticing the thinking we do to access content
and acquire knowledgeRESPONSE
Two column form headed ‘Content’ & ‘Process’Class discussion
9. Synthesizing to Access Content
PURPOSENoticing a craft of a piece as well as the
content and the reading processRESPONSE
Three column note form headed ‘Content’ , ‘Process’, and ‘Craft’
10. Reading Like a Writer
PURPOSESynthesizing information by attempting to
answer difficult questionsRESPONSE
Sticky notes with questions
11. Trying to Understand: Seeking Answers to Questions that Have None
Summarizing and SynthesizingBased on the lessons in this chapter, we look for evidence that:
1. Students summarize information by retelling.
2. Students become aware of when they add to their knowledge base and revise their thinking as they read.
3. Students synthesize information through writing.
4. Students use a variety of ways to synthesize information and share their learning.
Teaching with the End in Mind:Assessing What We've Taught
Everyone please get up and move 5 seats to your left!
Please take your papers with you.
Example Lesson Time!
Teacher: Mr. Brett Mayberry
COMPARING AND CONTRASTING INSCIENCE AND SOCIAL STUDIES
page 185
PURPOSE: Comparing and contrasting properties to better understand their essence
RESOURCES: Science trade book or textbook on marine biology
RESPONSE: Three-column note form headed ‘Compare and Contrast’
Interactive Learning:Lesson Examples
Teacher: Mr. Ryan Lavine
WRITING A SHORT SUMMARYpage 188
PURPOSE: Distinguishing between the summary of the text and the reader’s thinking
RESOURCES: The Librarian of Basra: A True Story from Iraq, by Jeanette Winter
RESPONSE: Two column think sheet headed ‘What the Piece Is About’ and ‘What It Makes Me Think About’
Interactive Learning:Lesson Examples
The Evolution of Thought
STRATEGIES THAT WORK:Summarizing and Synthesizing
Information
NOW YOU ARE AN EXPERT!