Somebody Wanted But So - NBSS

National Behaviour Support ServiceSomebody Wanted But SoReading and Learning StrategyDuring and After Reading StrategySomebody Wanted But SoPurpose of the ‘Somebody Wanted But So’ strategy:The Somebody-Wanted-But-So strategy (MacOn, Bewell & Vogt, 1991, Beers, 2003) is usedduring or after reading. It provides a framework to use when summarising the action of a storyor historical event by identifying key elements. The strategy also helps students identify themain ideas, recognise cause and effect relationships, make generalisations, identify differencesbetween characters and look at various points of view. It is more often used with narrative textbut can also be used with expository text. For example SWBS can be used to summarise thegoal/motivation, conflict, event or barrier of a historic or contemporary character or group ofpeople.Explicitly teaching ‘Somebody Wanted But So’:Step 1Model the ‘Somebody Wanted But So’ strategy by reading a selection of text aloud or retelling anevent – this could be a story, film or real life event. Complete the SWBS four column chart:Somebody (character/figure), Wanted (goal/motivation), But (conflict), So/So then(resolution/outcome). Point out that there can be more than one ‘Somebody Wanted But So’ in atext selection/chapter and show how a second SWBS statement can be generated, if applicable.Step 2Read aloud a second text selection or retell an event. Ask students to identify the Somebodyfrom the event. Write down the name of the person in the first column. Explain that the Wantedrepresents the plot or motivation of the person/people and complete the second column. Explainthat the But is the conflict or challenge the person/people faced and record the studentresponses in the third column. Finally, explain that the So column is to record the outcome orresolution and complete this column. Then read aloud the summary statement.Step 3Assign another selection of text or retell an event and in pairs/groups students complete a SWBSchart. Share SWBS statements in small groups and discuss the similarities and differences in thestatements, as well as evidence in the text used to support each statement. Continue to guidestudents until they can use the strategy independently.* Students’ summarising skills can be further developed by using other NBSS strategy resources e.g. Getthe Gist, Summarising Maps, 5-4-3-2-1, Exit Slips.

Strategy – Somebody Wanted But SoNational Behaviour Support ServiceSomebody Wanted But SoExamplesSomebody Wanted But So/So ThenAnne FrankTo hide from theNazisAn informerturned her andher family inShe died inAuschwitzconcentrationcamp.JulietWanted to marryRomeo.Romeo was aMontague, anenemy to herfamilyShe and Romeo hadFriar Laurencemarry them insecret without theirfamilies’knowledge.Juliet Father(Lord Capulet)Wanted Juliet to behappyBut he did notknow she was inlove with RomeoSo he arranged forher to marry Paris.Martin LutherWanted to reformthe catholic churchand he collected alist of 95 differentpoints of doctrinewhere he felt thatthe Church wasincorrectThe church didn’tagree withLutherThe Popedemanded Lutherrecant or take backhis teaching but herefused and wasexcommunicated.frichardson@nbss.ie2

Strategy – Somebody Wanted But SoNational Behaviour Support ServiceSomebody Wanted But SoSomebody Wanted But Sofrichardson@nbss.ie3

Strategy – Somebody Wanted But SoNational Behaviour Support ServiceSomebody Wanted ButSo thenSomebodyWantedButSo thenfrichardson@nbss.ie4

Strategy – Somebody Wanted But SoNational Behaviour Support ServiceSomebody Wanted But So1. How many conflicts are evident in this chapter? Identify the conflictsand complete the SWBS chart for each one.SomebodyWantedButSo(character/person/people)(goal/motivation)(conflict/challenge(resolution/outcome)SomebodyWantedButSo(character/person/people)(goal/motivation)(conflict/challenge(resolution/outcome)SomebodyWantedButSo(character/person/people)(goal/motivation)(conflict/challenge(resolution/outcome)frichardson@nbss.ie5

Strategy – Somebody Wanted But SoNational Behaviour Support ServiceSomebody Wanted But SoThen1. Decide who the somebody is(characters/person/people2. What did that somebody want?(events of the plot, main idea, details)3. But what happened?(examine the conflict)4. So, finally how did everything work out?(solution/outcome/result)Somebody Wanted But SoThen what happened?frichardson@nbss.ie6

Strategy – Somebody Wanted But SoNational Behaviour Support ServiceSomeBodyWho is the main character/person?WaNTedWhat did the character /person want?BuTWhat was the problem?SoHow did the character/person try to solve theproblem?ThEnWhat was the resolution/outcome?frichardson@nbss.ie7

Strategy – Somebody Wanted But SoNational Behaviour Support ServiceSomebody Wanted But So ThenFinallySomebodyWantedButSo thenFinallyfrichardson@nbss.ie8

Strategy – Somebody Wanted But SoNational Behaviour Support ServiceSomebodySomebody Wanted But SoThen FinallyWantedButSoThenFinallyfrichardson@nbss.ie9

Strategy – Somebody Wanted But SoNational Behaviour Support ServiceNational Behaviour Support Service (NBSS)Navan Education CentreAthlumneyNavanCo. MeathTelephone: +353 46 909 3355Fax: +353 46 909 3354Email: nbss@ecnavan.ieWeb: www.nbss.iefrichardson@nbss.ie10