Finding the Gist — Grades 4–5
Teach upper elementary English learners to find the gist of an informational text, one visible step at a time.
Students learn the same 5 steps every time they read: read one paragraph, highlight the topic, underline the most important information, combine the topic and important information, and write the gist in one complete sentence. Details that are not part of the gist become "leftovers" that students save for another reading skill.
What's included
- Google Slides lesson (41 slides) that follows Watch It, Read It, Prove It: teacher modeling with a bees example, guided practice, independent practice, and answer check slides
- A PDF of the teaching slides for printing or viewing offline
- Printable student packet (12 pages)
- Two informational texts: "Camels in the Desert" (Read It) and "Beavers: Busy Builders" (Prove It)
- Vocabulary slides with real photos and a Vocabulary page in the packet for each text (8 words)
- Thinking Fold folding directions and a Gist Organizer for each text
- Two short lesson plans with teacher notes
- Answer keys and a data sheet with a simple scoring guide
Designed for
Small-group reading intervention and English learner support (ELL levels 1–3) in Grades 4–5. Also works whole class, in tutoring, or at home.
Format
Digital download (ZIP). Start Here page with a "make a copy" link for the Google Slides, a printable PDF packet, and a PDF of the teaching slides.
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