Students should be proficient in retelling or summarizing the important details from a reading passage. As these details emerge in a child’s own words, it shows that they are making sense of what they read and promotes complete retention. As students retell or summarize a text, they are differentiating between main ideas and supporting details.

To encourage this process, consider the following:

• While reading, look for key events and key ideas. Place an asterisk, a star, or a checkmark by these big ideas.
• When you are finished reading the passage, take time to review the passage for its main ideas and supporting details.
• After reading, summarize the text by telling a friend, writing a letter, or even drawing a comic strip.
• Don’t be afraid to look back in the text for information that will aid you in retelling the story or summarizing the information provided.