Somebody Wanted But So Then Anchor Chart

Somebody Wanted But So Then Anchor Chart: A Tool for Effective Summarizing

The Somebody Wanted But So Then (SWBST) anchor chart is a valuable tool for teaching students how to write a summary using a specific framework. This strategy helps students identify the most important parts of a story and organize their thoughts in a clear and concise manner.

What is the Somebody Wanted But So Then Strategy?

The SWBST strategy is a simple yet effective way to summarize a text. It involves breaking down a story into its most essential elements:

Somebody: The main character or protagonist of the story.
Wanted: The goal or desire of the main character.
But: The obstacle or challenge that the main character faces.
So: The action taken by the main character to overcome the obstacle.
Then: The outcome or result of the main character's action.

Using the Somebody Wanted But So Then Anchor Chart

The SWBST anchor chart is a visual representation of the strategy. It provides a clear and organized structure for students to follow when summarizing a text. Here's an example of what the anchor chart might look like: Somebody Wanted But So Then Main Character Goal/Desire Obstacle/Challenge Action Taken Outcome/Result

Example: Summarizing "The 3 Little Pigs"

To illustrate how the SWBST strategy works, let's use the classic tale "The 3 Little Pigs" as an example.

Somebody: The 3 little pigs
Wanted: To build a safe and secure home
But: A big bad wolf threatened to eat them
So: The pigs built houses of straw, sticks, and bricks to protect themselves
Then: The wolf was unable to blow down the brick house, and the pigs lived safely

Benefits of the Somebody Wanted But So Then Anchor Chart

The SWBST anchor chart offers several benefits for students and teachers:

Improved comprehension: By breaking down a story into its essential elements, students gain a deeper understanding of the plot and characters.
Effective summarizing: The SWBST strategy helps students write clear and concise summaries that capture the main events of a story.
Enhanced critical thinking: The anchor chart encourages students to think critically about the story and identify the most important elements.

Aligning with Common Core State Standards

The SWBST anchor chart aligns with the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts, specifically:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.4.2: Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text; summarize the text.

By using the SWBST anchor chart, teachers can help students meet this standard and develop essential skills in reading comprehension and summarization.

Conclusion

The Somebody Wanted But So Then anchor chart is a valuable tool for teaching students how to write effective summaries. By breaking down a story into its essential elements, students can gain a deeper understanding of the plot and characters, and develop critical thinking skills. Whether used in Reader's Workshop or as a standalone strategy, the SWBST anchor chart is an excellent resource for teachers and students alike.