Understanding Summary

J. Simmons ‘06

A story summary tells the most important ideas

that are in something that you read.

Usually a story summary includes

information that tells the characters and setting

as well as the

problem and solution.

A story summary includesthe main idea of the story

and 2 or 3 important supporting details.

Think about the story

Little Red Riding Hood

What is the main idea of the story?

A little girl goes to visit her grandmother who lives in the woods.

Three important details are

1. A wolf gets to her grandmother’s house before she does.

2. The wolf pretends to be her grandmother in order to eat her.

3. A woodsman comes just in time to save Red Riding Hood from the wolf.

Let’s put these ideas together to make a story summary.

A little girl goes to visit her grandmother who lives in the woods. A wolf gets to her grandmother’s house before she does. The wolf pretends to be her grandmother in order to eat her, but a woodsman comes just in time to save her from the wolf.

Let’s do some checking! Can you find the main idea in this summary?

A little girl goes to visit her grandmother who lives in the woods. A wolf gets to her grandmother’s house before she does. The wolf pretends to be her grandmother in order to eat her, but a woodsman comes just in time to save her from the wolf.

Can you find the characters in this summary?

A little girl goes to visit her grandmother who lives in the woods. A wolf gets to her grandmother’s house before she does. The wolf pretends to be her grandmother in order to eat her, but a woodsman comes just in time to save her from the wolf.

Can you find the setting in this summary?

A little girl goes to visit her grandmother who lives in the woods. A wolf gets to her grandmother’s house before she does. The wolf pretends to be her grandmother in order to eat her, but a woodsman comes just in time to save her from the wolf.

Can you find the problem in this summary?

A little girl goes to visit her grandmother who lives in the woods. A wolf gets to her grandmother’s house before she does. The wolf pretends to be her grandmother in order to eat her, but a woodsman comes just in time to save her from the wolf.

Can you find the solution to the problem in this summary?

A little girl goes to visit her grandmother who lives in the woods. A wolf gets to her grandmother’s house before she does. The wolf pretends to be her grandmother in order to eat her, but a woodsman comes just in time to save her from the wolf.

Now it’s your turn to try.

Think of the storyThe Three Bears

Use your summary sheet to:

• Write the main idea• Write two or three important

things that happened in the story…the details

• Put the sentences together to make your summary

Teacher notes:

• Discuss the story to make sure everyone is on the same page about what happened in the story.

• Allow students the opportunity to write an individual summary of The Three Bears.

• Students Pair & Share their summaries as the teacher listens in.

Teacher notes continued:

• Allow the partners to check that the summaries include the components in the list. Colored pencils or highlighters could be used for this.

• Display the list while students work (next slide)

• Review the “teacher” summary if necessary

• Write the main idea• Write two or three important

things that happened in the story…the details

• Put the sentences together to create your summary

• Make sure your summary includes the characters, the setting, the problem, and the solution to the problem

Teacher notes

• Use the next three slides if additional practice is needed.

What is the main idea of the story?

This story is about a girl named Goldilocks who goes into the home of three bears without their permission.

What are 2 or 3 important details?

1. While in their house, Goldilocks tries their food, chairs, and beds.

2. The bears come home and are amazed at what has happened to their house.

3. They find Goldilocks and frighten her, so she runs away.

This story is about a girl named Goldilocks who goes into the home of three bears without their permission. While in their house, Goldilocks tries their food, chairs, and beds. The bears come home and are amazed at what has happened to their house. They find Goldilocks and frighten her, so she runs away.