Summarizing and Note Taking - Chpt. 6

Because we are an elementary school, I think the use of the Track Changes tool in Word would be most useful. As the students progress into 3rd and 4th grades, the need to develop note-taking and summarization skills becomes extremely important. The word processing exercise of eliminating extra info and finding key elements is exactly what the kids need to experience. I can really see this as a "starter" activity, similar to DOL. The ease with which students can edit passages is an excellent feature. It would be interesting for them to have two windows open - one to change themselves, and one for them to use AutoSummarize, to see if they are on the right track. I truly think this would make a laborious task (to the kids) more fun. This skill, as practiced in Track Changes, will translate into enhanced note-taking skills.

I also think the idea of using the AutoSummarize to help students analyze their own writing is interesting. Unfortunately, my experience with students is that their word processing skills are so lacking, it would take too long for the paragraphs to be entered into the computer to make the exercise worthwhile. Until all students can have extensive hands-on access to computers throughout the day, it will be difficult to raise the level of technology expectations for them.

Blogs would make another powerful tool. I like the concept of reciprocal teaching and, like the word processing tools, the use of a blog as the vehicle can make what might traditionally be viewed as drudgery, a bit of fun. One approach might be to have groups/teams take one chapter each from a novel. As a group they would summarize the chapter, clarify vocabulary meaning, accept questions from the rest of the class and offer as well as solicit predictions as to what happens next. The next group/chapter might even comment on the predictions as they begin their analysis. Progressing through the book, groups would rotate, perhaps the class would take time off for a few chapters, then return. For the final chapters, all groups might present their own analyses, with everyone commenting on the others, comparing and discussing. Using this for a novel study would take the pressure off the need for access, since chapters can be covered over several days, allowing groups to read, collaborate, post, and still having time for the class to review and respond.