Minds On

Name that poster

Think about the words on the poster and determine what they all have in common.

What might be a title for this poster?

Press the ‘Hint’ button to reveal a possible title for the poster.

A possible title for the poster could be "Examples of Themes." Why? The words listed on the poster are all examples of text themes!

A theme is a message, lesson, or moral in a story. Can you come up with other themes to add to the poster?

Did you know? A summary provides readers with information about a text's overall theme without repeating every detail.

Action

Summary time

We can use SWBST chart to help us determine the main ideas in a story so that we can summarize accurately. For each section, we are answering a question:

  • Somebody (Who is the main character?)
  • Wanted (What did the character want?)
  • But (What was the problem?)
  • So (How did the character try to solve the problem?)
  • Then (What was the resolution of the story?)
  • We can also add another T for Theme (What kind of lesson, moral, or message is the character experiencing?)

Select a story and then complete the Summarize a Story in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable document to organize the story's main ideas. You may also use another method of your choice.

Summarize a Story
Somebody Wanted But So Then/Theme

 

 

 

 

 

Press the ‘Activity’ button to access Summarize a Story.

Consolidation

Bookstore summary

You have been asked to summarize your selected story for an online bookstore.

Use the SWBST notes that you made in the Action section to create a summary of your story. Would you recommend this story to someone? Why or why not?

Record your summary on Page 2 of the Summarize a Story template or in another method of your choice.

Press the ‘Activity’ button to access Summarize a Story.

You may choose to provide a written summary or to create a “Book Discussion” where you read and record your summary.

Use the notes you made on the graphic organizer in the Action section to summarize the story of your choice. Also, include if you would recommend the story or not and give your reasons why.

Reflection

As you read through these descriptions, which sentence best describes how you are feeling about your understanding of this learning activity? Press the button that is beside this sentence.

I feel...

Now, record your ideas using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.