Summarizing Nonfiction Texts and Informational Texts Scaffolded Mini Unit

So your students are reading nonfiction articles and informational texts, but can they summarize them? My students, especially my struggling ninth graders, have always been at a loss for what to include. I created this mini unit to scaffold their understanding.

This product, newly improved, contains:
1. a presentation and guided notes that will provide the basics for teaching students how to summarize a nonfiction text. The presentation text cannot be edited, but you can add and delete your own PowerPoint slides.
2. four practice activities to use as practice for summarizing nonfiction texts, including a sort and a manipulative. Suggested high-interest articles and video links are included for practice activities.
3. two different versions of a nonfiction summarizing quiz. One is for students who require less scaffolding, and the other is for students who need assessment modifications.
4. a suggested unit plan to guide your instruction.
5. answer keys for activities and the quiz.

I use this bundle with ninth graders as a mini-lesson tool before modeling how to write a nonfiction summary, but it is appropriate for any middle school or high school student who needs structure.

As a certified reading specialist, I'm always trying to make literacy more accessible to students. This assignment uses a creative analogy for the process of summarizing, includes differentiation elements, and has been teacher-tested and tweaked in the classroom.

Usually, at the beginning of this unit, my freshmen have zero idea how to summarize a nonfiction text. By the end, most of them can tell me with confidence not only what belongs in a nonfiction summary, but also how long it should be and in what order to write about the information. This unit provides excellent structure for any student who would benefit from a gradual-release approach. It's suitable for introduction or review purposes.

Start to finish, this unit will take a minimum of five days if you use all of the included activities. Depending on your students' pace and whether or not you use the additional links for further practice, the unit may last longer. Estimations are based upon 45 minute class periods.

If you find this product useful, make sure to check out these similar products:

Analyzing Texts Bundle

Synthesizing Texts Lesson

Pyramus and Thisbe Analysis and Reading Guide

And more here!

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