Summarizing Formula

We slowly worked our way back into the school mode this morning once Lala and Papa left for Phoenix. I wanted the kids to write about some of the amazing experiences we had this weekend, but I knew they needed to ease into writing after our break. We watched some new movies during our hiatus from school. I challenged the kids to briefly summarize what they saw using the most important details. I reviewed a story summarizing formula I used with my second graders:

Somebody
Wanted
Because
But
So
Then

Here is an example of how it works using the story of Cinderella:

Cinderella (SOMEBODY), a poor but lovely maiden, dreamed (WANTED) of attending a royal ball so (BECAUSE) she could meet a handsome prince. Unfortunately (BUT), Cinderella's evil stepmother and stepsisters prevented her from going by ruining the ball gown she worked tirelessly to make. Just when Cinderella though all was lost, (SO) a fairy godmother cast a spell that magically changed Cinderella's life. (THEN) Dressed in a beautiful gown, Cinderella rushed to the ball and met the prince of her dreams. They fell in love at first sight and the prince rescued Cinderella from her wicked family.

I found that this formula can really help kids focus their summaries and uncover the most important events in a story. It's a hard activity, but I was proud of how the kids performed.

Here is Emma's summary of High School Musical 3:

Troy, a senior attending East High, wanted to make decisions for himself, because he wished for his own future. His dad wanted him to go to UofA and play basket ball, while his teacher wanted him to go to Julliard and do drama. Troy finally decided to pick his own future. He found a college that would let him do both basket ball and drama and be close to his girlfriend, Gabriella. In the end, Troy was able to have it all.

Here is Jacob's summary of Kung Fu Panda:

Po, an enormous and flabby panda, dreamed of being a Kung-Fu master because he loved Kung-Fu. But, he was a noodle-maker and had physical limitations due to his fatness. So, he went to the Dragon Warrior contest (to watch and sell noodles). He accidentally flew into the contest and was chosen to be the Dragon Warrior. With LOTS of training using food as his motivation Po battled Ti-lon, an evil panther, and won. In the end, Po found confidence in himself.