Summarization In Any Subject: 50 Techniques To Improve Student Learning

by Rick Wormeli

Offers a practical guide to written, spoken, artistic, and kinesthetic summarization techniques for individual assignments and group activities.

Genres: Education, Professional Development

226 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2004

Reviews

[Asandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking for a great book full of easy to use, teacher and student friendly summarization activities, this book is for you. It contains 50 different summarization strategies/activities you can use with students during and after reading. Sure beats the old standard paragraph summary :). As Marzano and many other researchers have cited in their works, summarization is a very effective teaching strategy for boosting comprehension. Some of the activities I have used with students that they really enjoy are: Carousel Brainstorming, Charades, Concrete Spellings, Design a Test, Partners A and B, Summarization Pyramids (love this one as it allows for lots of choice for students), and Summary Ball. Over the years I have used many of the activities in this book, and students repeatedly ask when we are going to do them again. This is always a good sign that they are enjoying the process of summarization without actually realizing they are summarizing :). This is a great book to have on your shelf when you feel you have been using the same teaching strategy for summarizing, and want to find something new, exciting, and packed full of learning opportunity.

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book - useful techniques for any teacher

Book description:
Educators agree that the ability to summarize--to identify salient information and structure it for meaning, long-term retention, and successful application--is an essential academic skill. Research affirms summarization’s reputation as a highly effective way to boost comprehension and achievement. We know summarization works. But isn't it, well, just a little dull?
It doesn't have to be.

Rick Wormeli, a teacher certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, makes the case that summarization is not only one of the most effective ways to improve student learning, it's also one of the most flexible, responsive, and engaging. Here, you'll find a classroom-tested collection of written, spoken, artistic, and kinesthetic summarization techniques for both individual assignments and group activities across the content areas. Suitable for students in grades 3-12, these techniques are easily adjustable to any curriculum and presented with ample directions and vivid, multidisciplinary examples. They are valuable additions to every teacher's repertoire.

Wormeli also clarifies the process of teaching students how to summarize and includes a special section on the key skill of paraphrasing. The book concludes with an assortment of original text excerpts and activity prompts--a great starting place for teachers ready to use summarization in their own classrooms.

[Deborah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very practical book that looks at summarizing from a VERY broad perspective. I liked the introductory chapters that explain summarizing, but the bulk of the book is ideas for classroom activities that provide students with opportunities to learn (that's what I mean about a broad perspective). One thing I really liked was Wormelli's idea that summaries don't have to be written. He uses a lot of physical movement and graphic organizers or art in addition to oral and written summarizing ideas.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every teacher should read this book.

[Jenny Buckley]

Very accessible strategies. Organized effectively. Each strategy is between 1-4 pages. Easy to skim and implement the next day.

[Bryan Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

A most helpful text for any teacher looking for concrete ways to bring the power of summary to their subject!