Unit Plan 33 (Grade 8 ELA): Summarizing & Synthesizing Information
Grade 8 ELA unit: master objective summaries, cross-text synthesis, and concise evidence lines using informational texts—build stronger analysis, reasoning, and citations.
Focus: Condensing key ideas; cross-text connections; evidence lines
Grade Level: 8
Subject Area: English Language Arts (Reading—Informational; Writing—Analytical)
Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 50–60 minutes per session
I. Introduction
Power readers don’t just retell—they distill and connect. This week builds skill with objective summaries (no opinions, just central ideas + key details) and synthesis (how multiple texts confirm, extend, or complicate one another). Students will also craft concise evidence lines that link a claim to cross-text proof with clear reasoning.
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to…
- Determine central ideas and produce concise, objective summaries of informational texts (RI.8.2).
- Integrate and reconcile ideas across at least two texts on the same topic, noting agreements, conflicts, and gaps (RI.8.9).
- Draw and cite evidence from texts to support analysis and synthesis in short analytic writing (W.8.9).
Standards Alignment — CCSS Grade 8
- RI.8.2: Determine a text’s central idea and analyze its development; provide an objective summary.
- RI.8.9: Analyze a case in which two or more texts provide conflicting information; identify where the texts disagree on matters of fact or interpretation.
- W.8.9: Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
Success Criteria — student language
- I can state the central idea in one tight sentence and select only the most important details.
- My summary is objective—no opinions, no extra examples.
- I can show how two texts connect (confirm/extend/complicate/contrast) with precise references.
- My evidence line (claim → evidence A → evidence B → reasoning) is clear and well-cited.