First Read: Gist

Worked model: First Read: Gist

View the illustrated activity card

1. 1Use the first read to establish the central idea without stopping for every unfamiliar word
2. 2Read once without stopping at every unfamiliar word
3. 3Choose or write the central idea in one sentence
4. 4Check that the statement covers the whole section rather than one attractive detail

Worked classroom example

After a paragraph about evaporation, “It explains how liquid can change to gas at the surface” gives the gist. A single temperature reading is a detail.

Teach the move

1. 1

   Use the first read to establish the central idea without stopping for every unfamiliar word.

2. 2

   Read once without stopping at every unfamiliar word.

3. 3

   Choose or write the central idea in one sentence.

4. 4

   Check that the statement covers the whole section rather than one attractive detail.

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Teacher language

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