Lesson Plan
Decode to Success Lesson Plan
Students will identify key details, make inferences, and summarize information from real-world workplace texts to strengthen reading comprehension and employability skills.
These strategies build critical thinking and clear communication—essential for success in future careers—and engage students with authentic workplace materials to make reading relevant.
Audience
7th Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Analyze workplace texts with guided then independent practice.
Prep
Gather and Review Materials
10 minutes
- Print enough copies of each material: Workplace Email Example, Inference Practice Task Cards, Summarizing Key Details Worksheet, and Reading Comprehension Graphic Organizer.
- Review each text and task card to anticipate student questions.
- Prepare a whiteboard or chart paper with headings: Key Details, Inference, Summary.
Step 1
Introduction
5 minutes
- Ask students if they’ve read workplace communications (e.g., emails, memos).
- Explain today’s goal: use reading strategies to decode real-world texts and build employability skills.
- Display the Workplace Email Example for whole-class viewing.
Step 2
Guided Practice
10 minutes
- Read the Workplace Email Example aloud with the class.
- Model how to identify 2–3 key details; record them under Key Details on the board.
- Demonstrate making one inference and note it under Inference.
- Show how to start the Reading Comprehension Graphic Organizer with these points.
Step 3
Independent Practice
10 minutes
- Students pair up and select an Inference Practice Task Card.
- Partners identify key details and write inferences on the cards.
- Students use the Summarizing Key Details Worksheet to craft a concise summary of their card’s text.
- Teacher circulates to prompt deeper thinking and check comprehension.
Step 4
Closure and Assessment
5 minutes
- Invite 2–3 pairs to share one key detail, inference, and summary.
- Provide positive feedback on clarity and completeness.
- Collect organizers and worksheets for formative assessment of reading strategies.
Slide Deck
Decode to Success: Employability Skills Through Reading
In this 30-minute lesson, we will:
• Practice reading real workplace materials
• Identify key details
• Make inferences
• Write concise summaries
Why? These skills build clear communication and critical thinking—essential for future careers.
Welcome students! Introduce today’s lesson: how reading real workplace texts helps us build critical employability skills. Emphasize the goal: identify key details, make inferences, and summarize clearly.
Why Reading Matters in the Workplace
• Critical Thinking: Understand what’s important
• Clear Communication: Share ideas accurately
• Real-World Relevance: Read emails, memos, and reports you’ll see on the job
Discuss each bullet, asking students to share examples of when clear reading or writing mattered (e.g., instructions at home, texting a friend).
Workplace Email Example
“Hi Team,
Our client presentation is on Friday at 2 PM. Please submit your slide drafts by Wednesday end of day so we can review together. Let me know if you hit any roadblocks.
Thanks,
Jordan”
Project the Workplace Email Example. Read it aloud. Ask students to follow along and spot details.
Guided Practice: Key Details & Inference
-
Key Details:
• Presentation Friday, 2 PM
• Slides due Wednesday EOD
• Mention of roadblocks -
Inference:
• The team may be behind schedule -
Organizer:
Use the Reading Comprehension Graphic Organizer
Model with the board: record “presentation on Friday at 2 PM,” “due Wednesday end of day,” and “hit roadblocks.” Then infer: the project is behind schedule. Show how to fill the graphic organizer.
Independent Practice: Task Cards
• Pair up and choose an Inference Practice Task Card
• Identify 2–3 key details on the card
• Write your inference beneath each detail
• Use the Summarizing Key Details Worksheet to draft a summary
Explain partnerships and materials. Circulate, prompt deeper thinking, and check that pairs record both details and inferences correctly.
Summarizing Key Details
To write a clear summary:
• State the main purpose in one sentence
• Include only the key details you identified
• Keep it under 3 sentences
• Avoid personal opinions or irrelevant information
Review the summary tips. Encourage students to focus on what, when, and why. Remind them to avoid opinions or extra details.
Share and Reflect
• Each pair shares:
– One key detail
– One inference
– Their summary
• Reflect:
– What did you learn?
– How can this help you in future jobs?
Invite 2–3 pairs to present. Ask the rest of the class to note one thing they liked about each summary. Provide positive feedback.
Next Steps & Feedback
• Keep practicing with real texts: emails, instructions, articles
• Apply these strategies at home and in other classes
• Feedback: What was most helpful today?
• Look out for the next lesson: writing clear workplace messages!
Wrap up by highlighting the importance of these strategies. Assign an optional at-home reading task: identify key details in a family email or note.
Worksheet
Summarizing Key Details Worksheet
Use this worksheet to practice pulling out important information and writing a clear summary. If you need help organizing your thoughts, refer to the Reading Comprehension Graphic Organizer.
Text Title or Task Card Name: _______________________________________
1. Identify Three Key Details
Detail 1: ___________________________________________________________
Detail 2: ___________________________________________________________
Detail 3: ___________________________________________________________
2. Write a One- to Two-Sentence Summary
Combine the key details above into a concise summary of the text. Remember:
- State the main purpose or event.
- Include only the details you listed.
- Keep it under three sentences.
Summary:
_______________________________________________________________
3. Reflection (Short Response)
How did selecting key details help you write your summary? Be specific.
_______________________________________________________________________
Activity
Inference Practice Task Cards
Use these task cards to practice identifying key details and making inferences from short workplace texts. For each card:
- Read the text carefully.
- List 2–3 key details you notice.
- Write one inference you can draw based on those details.
Card 1: Printer Notice
“Our second-floor printer is out of service due to a paper jam. Please use the first-floor printer until the technician arrives at 3 PM. Sorry for the inconvenience!”
Key Details: ___________________________________________________________
Inference: ____________________________________________________________
Card 2: Team Meeting Reminder
“Reminder: Today’s team meeting in Conference Room B will start at 4 PM and last no more than 30 minutes. Bring your updated progress reports and any questions about the project timeline.”
Key Details: ___________________________________________________________
Inference: ____________________________________________________________
Card 3: Safety Training Memo
“To all staff: Safety training refreshers begin next Monday at 9 AM in the main lobby. Attendance is mandatory; lunch will be provided. Please RSVP by this Friday so we can order enough meals.”
Key Details: ___________________________________________________________
Inference: ____________________________________________________________
Card 4: Supply Request Email
“Hi Linda,
Our office ran out of printer ink and sticky notes this morning. Could you place an order for those supplies today? We’re expecting a big client proposal next week. Thanks!”
Key Details: ___________________________________________________________
Inference: ____________________________________________________________
Card 5: Inventory Alert
“Alert: Inventory for Product X dropped below reorder level yesterday. Please check warehouse stock and prepare a purchase order by end of day. We must avoid shipment delays.”
Key Details: ___________________________________________________________
Inference: ____________________________________________________________
Card 6: Schedule Change Notice
“Due to maintenance, the office will open at 10 AM tomorrow instead of 8 AM. All morning tasks should be rescheduled. Normal hours resume Wednesday.”
Key Details: ___________________________________________________________
Inference: ____________________________________________________________
Worksheet
Reading Comprehension Graphic Organizer
Use this graphic organizer to record key details, make an inference, and write a concise summary of a workplace text. You can use it for the Workplace Email Example or any task card from the Inference Practice Task Cards.
Text Title or Task Card: ____________________________________________
1. Key Details
Detail 1: ___________________________________________________________
Detail 2: ___________________________________________________________
Detail 3: ___________________________________________________________
2. Inference
Based on the details above, what can you infer? Explain your reasoning.
Inference:
_______________________________________________________________
3. Summary
Write a one- to two-sentence summary of the text using your key details and inference.
Summary:
_______________________________________________________________
4. Reflection (Short Response)
How did identifying key details first help you make a stronger inference and summary?
_______________________________________________________________________