Selective Underlining

Teaching the Process

1. Model

First teach how to underline. Using an overhead, conduct a think aloud while underlining the essential words in one or two paragraphs. Re-read the underlined words and summarize the paragraph (RASP).

2. Guided Practice

Read the first sentence and ask students what they would underline. Continue this method for the entire paragraph and discuss. Re-read the underlined words and summarize (RASP).

3. Peer Practice

Have students decide in pairs which words to underline. Have the peers re-read the underlined words and summarize the paragraph (RASP). Check for understanding.

4. Independent Practice

Have students use selective underlining. Call on students to re-read and summarize (RASP). Teach how to cover and summarize the paragraph (CASP).