Grade 4 · Comprehension: Understanding and Responding to Texts · Lesson 1
Build a Strong Summary
Retell the main idea and the most important supporting details in a clear order.
The big idea
Shrink the text without losing its meaning
- 1. Name it State the main idea in your own words.
- 2. Select Keep only details needed to understand that idea.
- 3. Order Connect the details in the order that makes the meaning clear.
Worked example
From details to a summary
A community library noticed that its summer reading room became very hot. Volunteers planted three young trees outside the west windows. They also installed shades that could be lowered in the afternoon. The next summer, the room stayed cooler and needed less air conditioning.
Summary: To cool its reading room, a library planted shade trees and added window shades. By the next summer, these changes kept the room cooler and reduced air-conditioning use.