Activity Overview
Creating a chapter summary helps students identify the important events in each chapter and provides teachers with an engaging "check in" activity to see how well students are understanding the story. This activity asks students to identify three major events that occurred in the assigned chapters. In the last cell, students can choose their favorite quote, scene or character to illustrate and share why it is their favorite. Teachers may choose to do this activity every few chapters throughout the novel study and students will end up with a comprehensive plot summary in storyboards!
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a visual summary of the chapter(s) in the book.
Student Instructions:
- Create images in each cell that represent three important moments in the assigned chapters using appropriate scenes, characters and items.
- Write a description of each event below the illustration.
- In the final cell, choose your favorite scene, quote or character from the chapters. Illustrate it and explain why it is your favorite in the description box.
Lesson Plan Reference
- [ELA-Literacy/RL/6/3] Describe how a particular story’s or drama’s plot unfolds in a series of episodes as well as how the characters respond or change as the plot moves toward a resolution
- [ELA-Literacy/W/6/6] Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing as well as to interact and collaborate with others; demonstrate sufficient command of keyboarding skills to type a minimum of three pages in a single sitting.
- [ELA-Literacy/RL/5/5] Explain how a series of chapters, scenes, or stanzas fits together to provide the overall structure of a particular story, drama, or poem.
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chapter Summary | Each of the cells answers the prompts and represents a different important event in the summary. The cells are in order of occurrence. Sentences accurately summarize each part. | One cell is out of order, or the storyboard is missing important information. | Important information is missing and/or two or three cells are out of order. |
| Images | Cells include images that help depict the important events and do not get in the way of understanding. | Some of the images help depict the important events. Descriptions do not always match the images. | Images do not make sense with the summary. |
| Spelling and Grammar | Spelling and grammar is mostly accurate. Mistakes do not get in the way of understanding. | Spelling is very inaccurate and hinders full understanding. | Text is difficult to understand. |
How To Take Detailed Notes to Create Chapter Summaries
Introduce Different Strategies
Introduce students to different strategies for taking notes and the pros and cons of each strategy. Ask the students to practice each strategy at least once while taking notes and use the one they find the most suitable. All the students have different ways of learning and understanding, teachers can encourage the adoption of various strategies throughout the class.
Talk About Focus Points
Help the students identify the focus points for each chapter. For instance, what the students should focus on making notes for or the major events of that chapter. Students can analyze the events that are influencing the actions and decisions of the character and play a significant role in the upcoming chapters. Taking notes for such details would make the summarization process much easier.
Highlight the Changes and Progress
While reading, remind students to take note of any alterations or progressions in the motivations, relationships, or personalities of the characters. Character relationships frequently have a significant impact on the story as a whole. Students can keep one or two factors in mind and analyze the changes occurring throughout the story from the perspective of those factors and mention this analysis in their notes.
Organize and Sort the Notes
As students progress, help them arrange their notes according to a chronology, topic, or theme. This makes the summary more logically structured and facilitates further review.
Encourage Active Participation
Encourage the students to participate and remain active in class. This will help them to understand all the discussions happening in class and they will also be able to share their input and receive feedback and help from teachers and fellow students. If students are active, they can clear any confusion during the class by asking questions and engaging in discussions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Creating Chapter Summaries for a Novel
What's the ideal length for a chapter summary?
Although they should be brief, chapter summaries can range in length. Students should aim for a synopsis that distills the chapter's main ideas into a few key points. Generally, a few paragraphs or bullet points are adequate. Help the students learn the skill of paraphrasing to make the summarization process easier.
Are chapter summaries appropriate for group learning activities?
Yes, working together to create chapter summaries has its advantages. Students can debate interpretations, exchange ideas, and work together to get a deeper knowledge of the book. Working on various tasks in a team setting, taking decisions, and dividing the work teaches students how to handle responsibilities and prepares them for the future.
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