This lesson teaches kids how to write a nonfiction summary with main idea and key supporting/key details. A slideshow models the process with an engaging multi-paragraph text and the hamburger analogy.

Open the preview to see how you’ll use the passage, slideshow, and supporting materials.

Kids read “A Chocolate a Day Keeps the Doctor Away.” Is chocolate really good for you? This five-paragraph informational text explores facts behind the urban myth. The high-interest passage was specially written for kids who are just beginning to summarize.

You model the process for summarizing nonfiction text with the slideshow.

• It begins with an explanation of the hamburger analogy. Paragraphs with supporting details provide the “meat” of the essay. They are sandwiched between the introduction and conclusion, which hold the thesis, or main idea.
• The slideshow presents each paragraph of “A Chocolate a Day Keeps the Doctor Away” as a part of a hamburger. It moves through each, modeling how to find the central idea in the top and bottom bun, as well as key facts and evidence in the burgers.
• Then it shows how to paraphrase and organize the main idea and supporting details with a simple box and bullet graphic organizer.
• From there, the information is written in a short paragraph: the summary!

Kids can follow along with their own graphic organizer.

After the lesson, an exit ticket lets them show what they know.

Files include everything you need to introduce summarizing nonfiction texts:

• Slideshow
• Links to digital student resources
• Note to teacher
• Slideshow notes
• “A Chocolate a Day Keeps the Doctor Away” nonfiction text, hamburger organizers, and summary organizer
• Exit ticket
• Answers

Resources can be used in a variety of ways.

• Whole class instruction
• Small group work, remediation, or tutoring
• Test prep
• Sub plans
• Homeschool

Summarizing materials come in a variety of formats.

• You can share the slideshow as a PowerPoint presentation or Google Slides.
• A printable PDF holds the passage and support material, as well as links to digital versions, also as Google Slides.

Your third or fourth students will love it – and you will too!

• The passage grabs kids’ attention right away. After all, who doesn’t love chocolate?
• It’s written in a simple five-paragraph format in which the main idea and key supporting details can be easily found.
• The hamburger analogy provides a conceptual model that clearly illustrates the structure of informational text. Additionally, it helps kids discriminate between nonfiction and fiction (which is written with a story arc.)
• When the lesson is over, your students will know where to look for the main idea and key supporting details of any passage.
• This mini lesson addresses the intent of your standards. For example, if you teach CCSS RI.4.2, your students will learn to find the main idea, explain how it’s supported by key details, and summarize the text.

Looking for more? At a discounted price, the summarizing nonfiction bundle includes four more urban myth passages.

Enjoy teaching!

Brenda Kovich

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