How can Mr. Hughes assess his students' summarizing skills given their varying reading levels?

Assessing students' summarizing skills, especially when they have varying reading levels, can be effectively achieved by having students audio record their summaries on their phones. This method allows students to communicate their understanding of the material in a format that can accommodate their individual reading abilities. By focusing on verbal expression, students who may struggle with writing or reading can still demonstrate their comprehension and summarization skills.

Additionally, audio recordings enable Mr. Hughes to review the summaries at his convenience, allowing for a more flexible assessment process. This approach can also provide insights into the students' thought processes and their ability to articulate their understanding of the subject matter. It encourages self-reflection, as students may hear areas where they can improve in their summarizing abilities.

Utilizing technology in this manner not only supports students’ diverse learning needs but also fosters engagement with the task. The other options, while valuable, may not be as effective in directly accommodating the wide range of reading levels present in the classroom. For example, written summary templates may constrain students who might articulate their thoughts more fluidly when speaking, while group summaries could lead to reliance on peers rather than individual assessment of understanding.