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Demonstrate Comprehension with 10 Summary-Writing Techniques
Wednesday, March 5, 2025 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm EST
Presented by Kristina Smekens, President and Lead Consultant, Smekens Education Solutions
Sponsored by Smekens Education Solutions
Learn more about viewing the live presentation and the recording, earning your CE certificate, and using our new accessibility features.
Many students struggle to write summaries that are clear, concise, and accurate. Learn to overcome this challenge during this engaging recorded edWebinar packed with practical strategies to help your students write powerful summaries—no matter the complexity of the text. You’ll explore 10 powerful summary-writing techniques that guide students from needing significant support to summarizing with confidence and independence.
Learn how to teach students to summarize key concepts, identify essential details, and incorporate domain-specific vocabulary. Featuring authentic student examples and interactive activities, this session equips you with the tools you need to help your students become proficient, independent summary writers across all subject areas. You will learn:
- The essential components of all summaries to meet the “accurate and objective” standards
- How to leverage text features to support comprehensive summary writing in subject-area texts
- Techniques for using domain-specific vocabulary and paraphrasing to help students summarize complex ideas
- Strategies to scaffold the summarization process, from short stories to chapter books and longer novels
- How to summarize an author’s argument by tracing their claim, reasons, and evidence
This recorded edWebinar is of interest to elementary through high school teachers, school leaders, and district leaders.
About the Presenter
Kristina Smekens has built a reputation for using enthusiasm, humor, and common sense to equip K-12 educators with practical, demystifying strategies for teaching reading and writing. As President and Lead Consultant for Smekens Education, she is a leader in developing new strategies to help teachers meet the demands of today’s College- and Career-Ready Standards. She and her associates share those strategies with teachers around the globe through on-site professional development, virtual and in-person seminars, and an always-growing pool of print, digital, and video resources. Kristina has authored more than 50 books, guides, and classroom tools designed to help teachers implement best-practice literacy strategies. The Comprehension Playbook; Launching the Writer’s Workshop: Grades K-2; and Launching the Writer’s Workshop: Grades 3-12 are among the most popular titles.
Learn more about viewing the live presentation and the recording, earning your CE certificate, and using our new accessibility features.
Join the ELA Today community to network with educators, participate in online discussions, receive invitations to upcoming edWebinars, and view recordings of previous programs to earn CE certificates.
Smekens Education helps K-12 schools improve achievement in reading and writing by providing educators with practical and engaging professional learning. The team at Smekens specializes in inspiring teachers with simple, best-practice literacy strategies that can be implemented right away. Schools around the globe rely on Smekens to provide powerful PD, whether it occurs in-person, virtually, or on-demand.
