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!