Step-by-Step Strategies to Support Dyslexic Students with Story Summarization

Jan 2 / Cheron Dixon
Empty space, drag to resize
Children with dyslexia often face challenges with short-term working memory, making it hard for them to hold more than one or two pieces of information at a time. 

Complex instructions or lengthy tasks can quickly become overwhelming. To support these learners, tasks should b broken down into manageable steps, with each step clearly outlined and organized in a logical sequence.

This approach not only makes the task more achievable but also helps the student stay organized and focused.

Structured Steps for Summarizing a Chapter:

The activity below demonstrates how breaking tasks into small, structured steps can make learning more accessible. It guides students to summarize the main idea of a chapter or a section of a book recently read by the class.

The step-by-step framework helps them piece together and sequence key events effectively. Here’s how you can guide your student:

1. List the Main Characters:
  • Write down the names of the key characters in the story. This helps the student focus on the individuals driving the plot.

2. Identify the Setting:
  • Country: Note where the story takes place.
  • Specific Area: Pinpoint the region or part of the country where the events occur.

3. Highlight Important Words:
  • Choose four significant words related to the chapter. For example, in a story about a jungle adventure, the words might be “jungle, map, treasure, danger.”

4. Describe a Key Event:
  • Encourage the student to select and describe one event from:
  • The beginning of the chapter
  • The middle of the chapter
  • The end of the chapter
This step-by-step description helps the student understand and organize the sequence of events.

5. Explain the Importance of the Event:
  • Discuss why this event is crucial to the story. For example, it might reveal something about a character, set up the next part of the plot, or resolve a conflict.

Breaking tasks down this way helps dyslexic students focus on the essential information, enabling them to provide more relevant and detailed responses. The structured approach also minimizes the likelihood of the student drifting away from the key points, keeping their work clear and on track.

By following these steps, students can build confidence in understanding and summarizing stories while improving their sequencing and comprehension skills.

Created with