Education Technology


NCTE: Collaborating on Paraphrasing

Activity Overview

Students will work online to find information they wish to paraphrase. They will create a paraphrase that maintains the core of the original without relying on the original structure or wording. They will explain how and why they made their changes.

Before the Activity

See the attached Activity PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity.

Print the appropriate pages from the Activity for your class.

Install the LearningCheck(tm) App on the students' graphing calculators following the attached instructions.

Decide whether you would like students to be able to choose the information they paraphrase or not. Evaluation is simpler for you if groups paraphrase documents of your choice, and you might choose documents that relate to the class theme. On the other hand, the option of choosing their own material might keep students more interested in the assignment. If students choose their own source, be sure that they include the original document when they turn in the paraphrase so you can compare the two.

During the Activity

  • Distribute the appropriate pages from the Activity to your class
  • Distribute the LearningCheck(tm) file(s) to your class using TI Connect(tm) and the appropriate TI Connectivity cable
  • Follow the procedures outlined in the Activity


  • Students will:
  • Research uses and explanations of paraphrase.
  • Analyze each source to determine what information is essential for their purposes.
  • Create directions for paraphrasing appropriate to their level and class expectations.
  • Paraphrase a document individually.
  • Synthesize group members' paraphrased documents into one clear paraphrase.
  • Reflect upon the process of paraphrasing to explain steps and critique their work.
  • After the Activity

    Consider allowing groups to read each other's paraphrases if time allows. If not, collect the paraphrases and reflections and briefly review the skills practiced, making sure students understood the purpose of the assignment.