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4  SCAFFOLD GENERALIZING
Before students write their own generalizations, have them choose
from several the one most valid for a paragraph. You may also ask
them to complete stems, such as: The climate in the Arctic is
generally _________ .
5  PRACTICE GENERALIZING
Have students record a generalization and examples in a web.
Graphic Organizer 15
1  DEFINE GENERALIZATION
Explain that a generalization is a broad statement or rule that
applies to many examples. A valid generalization is well
supported by facts and logic. A faulty one is not well supported.
2  DISCUSS CLUE WORDS
Students should look for clue words that signal generalizations
as they read. List words on the board:
all none
most few
always never
generally in general
3  MODEL GENERALIZING
Explain that when readers generalize, they think about a number
of examples and decide what they have in common. After reading
a passage containing several facts, model how to generalize.
Generalize
Recognizing generalizations helps students judge the validity of an argument.
Making their own generalizations helps students understand and summarize
texts. Use this routine to teach generalizing.
National Reading Panel. Teaching Children to Read: Reports of the Subgroups. National Institute of Child
Health & Human Development, National Institutes of Health, 2000, p. 4–92.
National Reading Panel,
Teaching Children to Read
“To be able to create a summary of what one has just read, one must
discern the most central and important ideas in the text. One also must
be able to generalize from examples or from things that are repeated. In
addition, one has to ignore irrelevant details.”
FOCUS ON RESEARCH
Research on Generalizing