One-Sentence Gist
Read once without stopping; learners write a gist in twelve words, then compare which ideas they kept or left out.
Worked classroom example
History
Summarise a paragraph about why a law changed in twelve words.
Use this example to make the language move visible. Select subject content appropriate to the class’s age and prior knowledge.
Teaching sequence
- Choose a short text with one clear central idea and a few supporting details.
- Ask learners to read once for the whole message and draft a twelve-word gist.
- Pairs compare wording and check that the gist is broad enough to cover the text.
Materials and purpose
a short paragraph or explanation
Summarising the whole message helps readers separate the main idea from examples.
Try it in your next lesson
Prepare
Use a short paragraph or explanation. Choose a second example that checks the same language move without repeating the original answer.
Classroom task
Read once without stopping; learners write a gist in twelve words, then compare which ideas they kept or left out.
Check independent transfer
Pairs compare wording and check that the gist is broad enough to cover the text.
Collect a response on fresh content. Note what was achieved without the model, partner or teacher prompt, then choose one next teaching step.
Teacher language
Teacher language
Would your sentence still make sense if one example were removed?
“What does the source actually say, and what are you inferring?”
“What cannot be concluded from this evidence alone?”
Respond to the learner
Identify one successful meaning or language choice. Ask about one gap, allow thinking time, then invite a revision. Check the revised move again on a fresh example.
Adjust support and challenge
Offer a brief model, useful vocabulary and partner rehearsal where needed. Keep the subject goal; reduce one prompt on fresh content and record what was independent.
Teaching this skill → · Age and language support →
More support
Chunk the source, gloss essential terms and model one evidence selection. Keep the question’s reasoning demand. Allow familiar-language notes or another response mode when checking subject understanding.
Greater independence
Change the content, evidence or audience. Remove the completed model and ask learners to explain a choice. Increase subject complexity only when it fits the curriculum and prior knowledge.
Choose the next step
If subject meaning is insecure, reteach the concept. If the concept is understood but the English is unclear, model one useful language relationship and invite a fresh response.