Students are expected to summarize their readings 3 times per week in their reading log.

You might be wondering, “Well, what is a summary?”

A summary provides a basic snap shot of the main ideas or plot developments from that day’s reading.  This is different from a retelling in which a student shares the sequence of events.  Retellings, by contrast, are essentially a type of story telling and often stress details, details, details. Essentially, retellings retell the story.

A summary, on the other hand, might be analogous to brushing your teeth — you only squeeze out the toothpaste you need and leave the rest in the tube.  (This is the analogy Writer’s Express uses to characterize summary.) An effectively written summary can demonstrate comprehension better than a retelling.  A summary requires reflecting on the reading and pulling out the main ideas while a retelling requires less reflection and thought. It simple requires the memorization of a specific series of events.

“How will I know if my child has done this correctly?”

You will know when the pieces they write provide sufficient big picture information to give you an idea of what they are reading, but do not go so far as to provide so many details that you feel you’ve read the book yourself. Basically, your child should provide the main ideas of the passage(s) they read.

An example from Star Wars, A New Hope:

Summary of Obi Wan and Luke Skywalker at the Cantina:

Obi Wan and Luke Skywalker brave the brawn of a rough-n-tumble intergalactic “watering hole” in search of a pilot.  The one they find, Han Solo, proves to be both confident and sarcastic, though it would seem as though he will bring along some problems of his own.

Retelling of Obi Wan and Luke Skywalker at the Cantina:

After using a Jedi mind trick to gain entrance to Mos Eisley, a rough freighter town on the planet Tatooine, Obi Wan and Luke Skywalker head in to Chalmun Cantina in search of a pilot who can transport them to Alderann.  While Obi Wan talks to various pilots, Luke goes to the bar where he has a run in with the bartender as well as an alien that is bent on solving a problem with Luke through violence.  Obi Wan shows up right in time, and slices off the alien’s arm with his light saber.  Surprisingly, while the crowd barely flitches at the violent outburst, they seem more taken aback by the weapon used — a Jedi’s lightsaber. The other bar goers give Obi Wan and Luke a lot more space after that.

Then, Obi Wan and Luke sit down with Han Solo and his furry co-pilot, Chewbacca, to negotiate the terms of their contract. Luke feels quite convinced that Han’s rates are outrageous, but Obi Wan understands the need for secrecy and settles Luke.  After they agree to meet at the hanger soon, Han has a run in with a bounty hunter, Greedo, whom Han shoots under the table.  When he and Chewbacca leave to meet back up with Obi Wan and Luke, he flips the bartender an extra coin and apologizes for the mess.