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Reading – Summarizing

Reading · Level 5 · CCSS: RI.5.2, RL.5.2 · Worksheet 2 of 5 · Practice Set 6

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 Community Garden Project

The students at Maple Street School wanted to build a garden in an empty lot next to their playground. A fifth grader named Tariq organized a group of classmates to write a proposal to the school board.

At first, the school board worried the garden would be too expensive to maintain. Tariq's group researched low-cost solutions, like collecting rainwater in barrels and asking local businesses to donate seeds and tools. They presented their plan at a school board meeting, answering tough questions confidently.

The school board approved the garden project, and within two months, students had planted rows of vegetables and flowers. The garden became a popular spot for science classes, and Tariq felt proud that his idea had grown into something the whole school could enjoy.

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 number of barrels used, which businesses donated seeds, or what month the meeting happened.

4 Summary vs. Detail

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

Statement	Summary or Detail?
Students wanted to build a garden next to their playground.
The school board worried about the cost at first.
Tariq's group researched low-cost solutions.
The school board approved the garden project.
Students planted rows of vegetables and flowers.
The garden became a resource for the whole school.

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 6.

Topic words: school, poster, teacher, idea

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.