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Reading – Summarizing

Reading · Level 5 · CCSS: RI.5.2, RL.5.2 · Worksheet 2 of 5 · Practice Set 3

Level 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Practice SetsSet 1 Set 2 Set 3 Set 4 Set 5 Set 6 Set 7 Set 8 Set 9 Set 10

1 Read the Story

📖 Read this story carefully. You will write a summary of it!

The Science Fair Save

Every January, Crestview Middle School hosted a science fair in the gymnasium. A sixth grader named Priya spent weeks building a model of the solar system using foam balls and wire.

On the morning of the fair, Priya's little brother accidentally knocked her project off the kitchen table, scattering the planets across the floor. Priya felt panicked because there was only an hour before the bus arrived. Her mom helped her quickly glue the pieces back together and reinforce the wires with tape.

Priya arrived at school just in time to set up her slightly wobbly but functioning model. The judges were impressed with her clear explanations despite the last-minute repairs, and Priya ended up winning an award for best presentation.

2 Somebody-Wanted-But-So-Then

🎯 Use the SWBST strategy to organize your summary.

Somebody → Wanted → But → So → Then

Part	Fill In
Somebody (Who?)
Wanted (What did they want?)
But (What was the problem?)
So (What did they do?)
Then (How did it end?)

3 Write a Summary

✍️ Now write your summary in 2–3 sentences. Include only the MOST important parts — leave out small details!

Tip: A good summary does NOT include: the exact colors of the foam balls, what her brother said when it happened, or how long the bus ride was.

4 Summary vs. Detail

📋 Decide: does each statement belong in a summary, or is it just a detail?

Statement	Summary or Detail?
Priya built a model solar system for the science fair.
She used foam balls and wire for the planets.
Her brother knocked the project off the table before the fair.
Her mom used tape to reinforce the wires.
Priya still won an award despite the accident.
The bus arrived exactly one hour later.

5 SBA Performance Task: Extended Response

This section is like a performance task on the state test. Read carefully, find evidence, and write a complete response.

Question: Write a summary of this passage that includes the main idea and the most important supporting details. Leave out minor details.

My claim or answer:

Evidence 1: (Quote or detail from the text)

Evidence 2: (Another quote or detail)

My explanation: (Connect the evidence to your claim in 2-3 sentences)

+ Bonus Reading Practice

Use this short practice to extend Set 3.

Topic words: garden, seed, leaf, plan

1. Write one sentence using two of the words above.

2. What detail would you expect to find in a passage about this topic?

3. Write one inference a reader could make from a text about this topic.