Synthesizing

Good readers transform their understanding of a text by combining their own understanding with information from other texts or sources. They monitor the overall meaning and themes of a text.

Proficient readers:

  • go beyond the literal meaning of a text to an inferential level.
  • retell or synthesize to better understand what they have read
  • may respond to text through written, oral, dramatic, and artistic interpretations

Sample Lessons:

Anchor Charts:

anchor

As you synthesize your understanding of the story changes.

themes

Categorizing books by theme requires the readers to synthesize.

Forms and Resources:

Texts for Teaching Synthesizing:

  • Charlie Anderson by Barbara Abercrombie
  • Fables by Arnold Lobel
  • Oliver Button is a Sissy by Tomie dePaola
  • Scaredy Squirrel by Melanie Watt
  • Enemy Pie by Derek Munson and Tara Calahan King
  • The Rag Coat by Lauren Mills
  • See the Ocean by Estelle Condra
  • Smoky Night by Eve Bunting
  • The Table Where Rich People Sit  by Byrd Baylor
  • Tea With Milk by Allen Say

Comprehension Resources:

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