Chapter Summary Example - As Brave As You by Jason Reynolds

This Storyboard That activity is part of the lesson plans for Novel Study




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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!


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Template and Class Instructions

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Due Date:

Objective: Create a visual summary of the chapter(s) in the book.

Student Instructions:

  1. Create images in each cell that represent three important moments in the assigned chapters using appropriate scenes, characters and items.
  2. Write a description of each event below the illustration.
  3. 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.



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How To Take Detailed Notes to Create Chapter Summaries

1

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.

2

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.

3

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.

4

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.

5

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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