Level of Expertise: 5
Strategy 6: GIST
What is the instructional strategy?
This instructional strategy is the GIST strategy which helps students read expository text and get the main idea. It also requires students to summarize information in 20 words or less. The students will be asked to complete this after reading about Hitler’s blitzkrieg on page 775-776 in Ellis & Esler’s (2005) “World History: Connection to Today”.
Why is the strategy useful?
Using the GIST strategy with my students is advantageous for several reasons. It activates prior knowledge while encouraging vocabulary development. Students comprehension strategies are developed as they highlight and recall significant information. The GIST also provides a section for students to use summarization techniques which will increase their chance of retention.
How does it work?
1) Assign a topic or chapter for the students to read.
2) Encourage students to take notes and highlight while they read.
3) Students will be asked to fill out the essential questions (Who, Where, Why, What, When, and How). This can be done in either sentences or bulleted notes
4) Students will then convey the gist of what they read in 20 words.
5) After this sheet is filled out, students will be able to have these notes as a summary of what they have already read.
What does it looks like?
See hard copy.
