Definitions
From the Book
Summary Practice
100
What is Summarization?
Briefly restating the main idea and key details of a text, in your own words.
100
Look in your Ready Reading journals on p. 66. What is a key detail that explains how the Ancient Egyptians created their own toothbrush?
Ancient Egyptians made toothbrushes from the frayed ends of twigs.
100
Goosebumps happen when your body gets cold or when you have a strong feeling, such as fear. Nerves carry a signal to tiny muscles in the skin. The muscles tighten. The muscles then make the hair on the body stand up. Summarize this paragraph in ONE sentence.
Goosebumps are tiny bumps that are caused by your muscles making the hair on your body stand up.
200
What is the Main Idea?
What the text is "all about"
200
Look in your Ready Reading journal on p. 68. Give ONE example of how the English language has undergone many changes over the years.
Old poems and rhymes show that word pronunciations have changed. English has borrowed many words from other countries. Words take on new, special meanings when they are used with new technologies and inventions.
200
Sometimes wild animals and people cause trouble for each other without meaning to. Wild animals often have a great sense of smell. They can smell our garbage, barbecue grills, pet food, and bird feeders. If wild animals find this food without getting scared away, they may come back. They might eat things they shouldn't. They can also cause damage. We can help wildfire by taking care of our food and garbage. By keeping things out of reach, we can prevent trouble. Summarize this paragraph in ONE sentence.
People can keep food and garbage out of reach of animals to avoid trouble with wildfire.
300
What are Key Details?
Specific information that helps support the main idea of a text.
300
Look in your Ready Reading journal on p. 70. What is the Main Idea of the story "Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow"?
Hair fashions change over time and are used to make unusual statements.
300
A valley is a low area of land. It usually has mountains or hills around it. A valley may have rivers and streams flowing through it. These rivers and streams carry water toward the ocean. The bottom of the valley is called the floor. The soil there is often rich and good for farming. Summarize this paragraph in ONE sentence.
Valleys are low areas that may have rivers and rich soil.
400
What are the five questions you need to ask yourself when summarizing a passage?
Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How
400
Look in your Ready Reading journal on p. 70. What is one key detail that describes how hair fashions have changed over the years?
In the 1700s, women wore large, elaborate hairstyles. In the 1920s, women cut their hair short to show their independence. In the 1960s, young people rebelled by letting their hair grow long.
400
Giraffes are the tallest animals living on Earth today. They have long necks that help them reach the leaves of tall trees. Their favorite leaves are the acacia tree. This tree has very thorny branches. Giraffes have long tongues that help them hold the branches. Their tongues help them avoid the thorns and strip off the leaves to eat. Summarize this paragraph in ONE sentence.
Giraffes' long necks and tongues help them get food.
500
What is an Informational Text?Text that includes factual information.
Text that includes factual information.
500
Look in your Ready Reading journal on p. 74. What is the Main Idea of "It All Began With SpaceWar!"?
Spacewar! helped introduce computer games to the world.
500
In the U.S, many fourth graders study all about their home state. They learn about the first people to live in the area. They learn how their state was settled and developed. Students also study the land, climate, government, and jobs. They may learn about famous people from their state. State studies can be especially fun. Students see how history connects to their own lives. Summarize the paragraph in ONE sentence.
In the U.S, many fourth graders study their home state and connect their own lives to history.
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