Story Sequencing and retelling
Story sequencing and retelling
is a very good activity for helping children develop comprehension and oral
language. It is easy for children to
learn vocabulary in the context of a story.
Retelling and story sequencing is an activity that can be done many
times with many different stories.
- Choose a story that has a logical sequence of what
happens. It needs to have a well defined
beginning, middle, and ending.
- The length and complexity of the story should match
the ability of the children, however, the activity itself should be fairly
short so that students stay fully engaged.
- Select target vocabulary from the story, and have the
children use the vocabulary as they retell the story. You can choose a few appropriate words out of
the story, or they could be the order words that you use in sequencing.
(beginning, middle, ending, first, next, finally, and last.)
- You can use sequencing cards to visually prompt the
main points of the story. These could be
simple hand drawings, pictures, or words that will help children recall
important points of the story.
- Teach order words, such as first, next, finally, and
last, to reinforce the order in which the story develops from beginning to
end.
- The first time through the story, model the
activity. Together practice sequencing
and retelling the story, using the vocabulary words you have chosen.
- Next, have the children try retelling the story as
they are able.
- Have them use the sequencing cards. Using the cards helps the children develop
the ability to accurately recall all the main points of the story, and to use
the vocabulary they have been learning.
- You might practice the same story over several days,
so that they become comfortable with retelling it.
- Have fun with it. As the children become more familiar with the story have them retell it in different ways. Make puppets, act out the story,draw pictures, etc.
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