A free summarizing anchor chart: what belongs in a summary, the Somebody, Wanted, But, So, Then frame for stories, and a plan for nonfiction. For grades 2–6. Print it on one page, or on four pages to tape together as a poster.
Summarizing
A summary is short and tells only the most important parts
Use your own words.
Leave out small details and your opinion.
For a story: Somebody, Wanted, But, So, Then
Somebody: who is the main character?
Wanted: what did they want?
But: what was the problem?
So: what did they do about it?
Then: how did it end?
For nonfiction
Say the main idea in one sentence.
Add two or three key details.
Free at teach.peabody.kids
Summarizing
A summary is short and tells only the most important parts
Use your own words.
Leave out small details and your opinion.
For a story: Somebody, Wanted, But, So, Then
Somebody: who is the main character?
Wanted: what did they want?
But: what was the problem?
So: what did they do about it?
Then: how did it end?
For nonfiction
Say the main idea in one sentence.
Add two or three key details.
Free at teach.peabody.kids
Summarizing
A summary is short and tells only the most important parts
Use your own words.
Leave out small details and your opinion.
For a story: Somebody, Wanted, But, So, Then
Somebody: who is the main character?
Wanted: what did they want?
But: what was the problem?
So: what did they do about it?
Then: how did it end?
For nonfiction
Say the main idea in one sentence.
Add two or three key details.
Free at teach.peabody.kids
A1Summarizing anchor chart · page 1 of 4 · A2 to the right · B1 below
A2 joins this side
10 cm at 100% · between the corner marks 7.5 × 10 in
Summarizing
A summary is short and tells only the most important parts
Use your own words.
Leave out small details and your opinion.
For a story: Somebody, Wanted, But, So, Then
Somebody: who is the main character?
Wanted: what did they want?
But: what was the problem?
So: what did they do about it?
Then: how did it end?
For nonfiction
Say the main idea in one sentence.
Add two or three key details.
Free at teach.peabody.kids
A2Summarizing anchor chart · page 2 of 4 · B2 below · trim the left and top at the marks and lay it over the one before
A1 joins this side
10 cm at 100% · between the corner marks 7.5 × 10 in
Summarizing
A summary is short and tells only the most important parts
Use your own words.
Leave out small details and your opinion.
For a story: Somebody, Wanted, But, So, Then
Somebody: who is the main character?
Wanted: what did they want?
But: what was the problem?
So: what did they do about it?
Then: how did it end?
For nonfiction
Say the main idea in one sentence.
Add two or three key details.
Free at teach.peabody.kids
B1Summarizing anchor chart · page 3 of 4 · B2 to the right · trim the left and top at the marks and lay it over the one before
B2 joins this side
10 cm at 100% · between the corner marks 7.5 × 10 in
Summarizing
A summary is short and tells only the most important parts
Use your own words.
Leave out small details and your opinion.
For a story: Somebody, Wanted, But, So, Then
Somebody: who is the main character?
Wanted: what did they want?
But: what was the problem?
So: what did they do about it?
Then: how did it end?
For nonfiction
Say the main idea in one sentence.
Add two or three key details.
Free at teach.peabody.kids
B2Summarizing anchor chart · page 4 of 4 · trim the left and top at the marks and lay it over the one before
B1 joins this side
10 cm at 100% · between the corner marks 7.5 × 10 in
How to use it
One page: print it for a notebook or a table, or project it while you teach.
A poster: print the four pages at 100% (the 10 cm bar on each page checks it). Each page after A1 says where it goes: trim its left and top edges at the marks, lay it over the page before at the ticks, and tape the back. It makes a poster about 15 by 20 inches.
Make it yours: build the chart with the class first and keep this one as your model, or add the class's own examples on sticky notes.