Paragraph Shrinking
Reading Comprehension Strategy
When to use:
Before Reading
 During reading
 After reading
How to use:
 Individually
 Small groups
 Whole Class
What is Paragraph Shrinking?
Paragraph shrinking is an activity developed as part of the Peer-Assisted Learning
Strategies (PALS). The paragraph shrinking strategy allows each student to take
turns reading, pausing, and summarizing the main points of each paragraph.
Students provide each other with feedback as a way to monitor comprehension.
Why use Paragraph Shrinking?
It helps students develop their reading comprehension skills.
It allows each student to take turns reading, pausing, and summarizing the
main points of each paragraph.
An excellent way to teach SUMMARIZING and to show students how to
AVOID PLAGAIRISM
How to use Paragraph Shrinking
Note: Paragraph shrinking was developed as one of the Peer Assisted Learning
Strategies (PALS) at the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Research on Human
Development. Because of that, the directions below describe a procedure where
students work with a peer to complete the strategy.
Adapted from PALS & Reading Rockets
BCPS/HMS/RSYoungCC2011
Paragraph Shrinking Lesson
1. Choose the assigned reading and introduce the text to the students, building
interest and background as necessary. (sample article attached)
2. Create pairs within the classroom. To differentiate and to increase
comprehension, pairs can be created using a strong reader and a reader
lacking specific skills.
3. Distribute one card per team and introduce the Paragraph Shrinking task
cards. (cards attached)
4. I DO-Model the Paragraph Shrinking procedure with 1-2 paragraphs of the
assigned reading
5. WE DO-Chorally do the next paragraph with the whole class, performing
both the “Coach” and “Player” role, to ensure that students understand how
to use each of the strategies.
6. YOU DO-Have each member of the team take a turn being "Coach" and
"Player” using the next two paragraphs.
Each “Player” will read aloud the text without rereading it, while the “Coach”
listens carefully. After each paragraph, the “Coach” should stop and ask the
three summarizing questions. The “Player” responds to the questions. Note:
If a "Player" ever gives a wrong answer, the "Coach" asks the "Player" to
skim the paragraph again and answer question a second time. The “Coach”
awards 1 point for each correct response.
The who or what of the paragraph
The most important thing about who or what
The main idea
7. Ask students to state the main idea in 10 words or less which will encourage
them to monitor comprehension while taking turns reading.
8. Extend by having students write a summary. To avoid Plagiarism, students
can use this technique for research note-taking.
Adapted from PALS & Reading Rockets
BCPS/HMS/RSYoungCC2011
TIME FOR KIDS-Nation
December 07, 2011
Pearl Harbor Remembered
December 7 marks the 70th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, in Hawaii
The USS Chung-Hoon sails past the USS Arizona Memorial during
the Pearl Harbor ceremony on December 7, in Hawaii.
By Brenda Iasevoli
Just before 8 a.m. (Hawaii time), the nation observed a moment of silence to
commemorate the exact moment 70 years ago that Japan launched a
surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, in Hawaii. The December 7, 1941, attack
killed 2,400 Americans and brought the U.S. into World War II.
President Barack Obama hailed veterans of the bombing in a statement and
proclaimed Wednesday as "National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.”
“As a nation, we look to December 7, 1941, to draw strength from the
example set by these patriots and to honor all who have sacrificed for our
freedoms," he said.
Adapted from PALS & Reading Rockets
BCPS/HMS/RSYoungCC2011
Honoring the Fallen
Nearly 3,000 people attended a ceremony at a
site overlooking the USS Arizona, a battleship
that sank during the attack. More than 1,100
servicemen aboard the ship were killed. The
ceremony included a rifle salute by members of
the armed services and wreath presentations.
Pearl Harbor survivors stand at attention
Altogether, the U.S. lost 12 ships that day. The
during a memorial ceremony on
December 7, in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
Arizona and another battleship, the USS Utah,
are the only ones still sitting in the harbor. USS
Utah survivor Gilbert Meyer said he comes back each year to honor his
shipmates who are entombed in the battleship. The USS Utah rests not far
from where it sank off Ford Island, in the middle of Pearl Harbor.
Meyer, 88, remembers his ship rolling over after being hit by a torpedo. He
saw Japanese planes dropping bombs. When the planes began firing
machine guns, he knew it was time to move. "That really got my attention so
I got in the water and swam ashore," he said.
MARCO GARCIA-AP
Adapted from PALS & Reading Rockets
BCPS/HMS/RSYoungCC2011
Adapted from PALS & Reading Rockets
BCPS/HMS/RSYoungCC2011