Teaching Narrative Summary with Pixar Shorts

Lights, Camera, Summary Writing!

An awesome quick strategy to teach narrative summary writing combines the video elements of Pixar Shorts and the application of Somebody Wanted But So Then. Somebody Wanted But So Then is a widely taught strategy for teaching summary while reading fiction. While the materials for SWBST are vast, I often find the easiest way to teach this memorable technique is through the use of quick shorts or Pixar shorts that are available on YouTube. I use the gradual release of responsibility model that focuses no I Do, We Do, You Do. This technique is best applied as a scaffolding technique to reach a higher-level goal. This post will outline the strategy for teaching summary writing with fiction texts, and it will also link some of my favorite Pixar shorts or clips to use in my middle-grade classroom.

Example Lesson Plan

1). Choice Reading or Read Aloud

2.) Term Vocabulary: Narrative, Summary, SWBST

  • Somebody (Main Character)

  • Wanted (Goal)

  • But (Conflict)

  • So (Resolution/Choice)

  • Then (Resolution/Moral/Theme)

3.) Apply with the first clip: I DO (THEY COPY). 

4.) Apply with second clip: (WE DO. I START NOTES, THEY FINISH WITH A PARTNER)

5.) Apply with third clip: (YOU DO. They do notes and the summary). 

Extension Activities

  • Character work for internal and external traits

  • Conflict understanding for person vs. person, person vs. technology, person vs. self, person vs. society, and person vs nature)

  • Theme work for helping students to understand meaning and messages

Favorite Pixar Shorts or Clips

 
 
 
 
 

Click here to go to my playlist of Pixar Shorts on Youtube!

Writing Mindset Reflection: What narrative summary techniques do you use? How do you introduce a narrative summary at each stage of student learning?


narrative summary


Stephanie Hampton

A dedicated educator with over a decade of experience in public education, specializing in English Language Arts, writing instruction, and using mentor texts in the classroom. Stephanie currently works as an educational consultant. When she isn’t talking about teaching, she is with her family, spending time journaling, and enjoying a fresh cup of coffee.

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All About Narrative Writing: Pacing, Strategies, and Mentor Texts!