Large group work
I distribute a one page article or some other nonfiction text to the large group and have them read it aloud. After each paragraph is read, I stop them and ask if there are any important facts within that particular paragraph. We discuss the answers that volunteers offer and I write them on the board.
Small group work
After they've practiced in the large group, I have them get into small groups and ask each group to work on one particular article or nonfiction text in order to find four most important facts.
During the time they work in small groups, I ask them to discuss and brainstorm the text. I also tell them they can all use the same facts on their sheets, as long as they all agree about which ones are the most important. (A great tactile strategy is to use highlighters to highlight the most important facts).
Once we're finished the small group work, we get back into the large group. I have one volunteer from each group summarize the article or text they read and then have others in the group read the facts they chose. As each fact is read, I have the "audience" do a "thumbs up" if they think the fact is VERY important.
The more practice the better!
Download this free worksheet by clicking on the cover!
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