• Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Main idea and supporting details). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
• Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.

1. Recycling helps our planet. When we recycle paper, fewer trees are cut down. Recycling cans saves energy. It also means less rubbish goes into the ground. What is the main idea? (Paper comes from trees. / Rubbish is smelly. / Cans are made of metal. / Recycling helps the planet in many ways.) → Recycling helps the planet in many ways.Prompt: What is the WHOLE text mostly about, not just one part?
2. Long ago, people did not have fridges. They kept food cold in cellars, packed it in ice, or dried and salted meat so it would last. What is the main idea? (Cellars are dark. / Fridges are expensive. / Salt makes food tasty. / People once used other ways to keep food from spoiling.) → People once used other ways to keep food from spoiling.Prompt: What is the WHOLE text mostly about, not just one part?
3. Dolphins are very smart. They can learn tricks, solve puzzles and recognise themselves in a mirror. They also talk to each other with clicks and whistles. What is the main idea? (Dolphins whistle. / Dolphins live in the sea. / Dolphins are intelligent animals. / Dolphins like mirrors.) → Dolphins are intelligent animals.Prompt: What is the WHOLE text mostly about, not just one part?

• Read the first lines of a short text aloud and ask what students predict will happen and why.
• Share the objective: Choose the best summary of a short text. Read the success criteria together.

• Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
• Example: In 2021, a small town opened a 'repair café'. Once a month, volunteers fix broken toasters, toys and bikes for free. In its first year, the café saved over two tonnes of items from being thrown away. Which is the best summary?
• Step 1: The best summary states the main idea and the most important points in your own words.
• Step 2: So the answer is: A town's monthly repair café fixes broken items for free and has kept tonnes of things out of the rubbish.
• Answer: A town's monthly repair café fixes broken items for free and has kept tonnes of things out of the rubbish.
• Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

• Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
• Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.

1. Wind turbines turn moving air into electricity. The wind spins the blades, which turn a generator inside the tower. Wind power does not burn fuel, so it does not release smoke, but turbines only work when the wind blows. Which is the best summary? (Wind turbines use spinning blades to make clean electricity, but only when it is windy. / Turbines have blades. / Wind turbines are the best invention ever. / There is a generator in the tower.) → Wind turbines use spinning blades to make clean electricity, but only when it is windy.Prompt: A summary is short and covers the WHOLE text, not just one part.
2. Lena was nervous about the school talent show. At practice, she forgot the words to her song twice. On the night, she spotted her grandad in the front row, giving her a thumbs-up. She took a deep breath, sang every word, and the hall burst into applause. Which is the best summary of the story? (Lena forgot the words twice. / Lena's grandad sat in the front row. / Talent shows are a waste of time. / Lena overcomes her nerves, with her grandad's support, and sings well at the talent show.) → Lena overcomes her nerves, with her grandad's support, and sings well at the talent show.Prompt: A summary is short and covers the WHOLE text, not just one part.

• Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
• Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 6 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

• Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.

1. Wind turbines turn moving air into electricity. The wind spins the blades, which turn a generator inside the tower. Wind power does not burn fuel, so it does not release smoke, but turbines only work when the wind blows. Which is the best summary? (There is a generator in the tower. / Wind turbines use spinning blades to make clean electricity, but only when it is windy. / Turbines have blades. / Wind turbines are the best invention ever.) → Wind turbines use spinning blades to make clean electricity, but only when it is windy.Prompt: A summary is short and covers the WHOLE text, not just one part.
2. When the class robot, Bolt, broke down the day before the science fair, Jai wanted to give up. Instead, his team stayed after school, found a loose wire, and rebuilt Bolt's arm. At the fair, Bolt sorted coloured blocks perfectly and the team won second prize. Which is the best summary of the story? (There was a loose wire. / Jai wanted to give up. / Bolt sorted coloured blocks. / Jai's team fixes their broken robot in time and does well at the science fair.) → Jai's team fixes their broken robot in time and does well at the science fair.Prompt: A summary is short and covers the WHOLE text, not just one part.

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/grade-4.