ELA teacher Emily Wylie used paraphrase with her 6th graders to unpack specific quotes from Homeless Bird by Gloria Whelan. Students have a role-based discussion in small groups that practices the subskills of paraphrase, clarification, elaboration and summarization. Students get to drive the discussion based on their own open reactions to the text.

Emily added in a reflective exit slip that allowed her students to provide feedback on the strategy roles. Check out her lesson slides and video of paraphrase in action. Way to go, Emily!

TYWLS Harlem 6th grade Paraphrase lesson slides