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English lesson plan · Kindergarten (Reception and Year 1 in England) · 30 minutes

Retell a story: first, next, last

Reading Comprehension

CCSS RL.K.2CCSS RI.K.3England: Reception Literacy (retelling)England: Y1 Reading (sequencing)

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Retell a story: first, next, last.

  • I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
  • I can explain each step and say why it works.
  • I can check my answer and spot a mistake.

Before and after

Needs first: Who, where and what happened?

Leads to: Time order words: first, next, then, finally; Story shape: beginning, middle and end

Materials: A short text or extract (one copy each), Highlighters, Question cards, Mini whiteboards, A short model text on the board, Printed student sheet (below).

Warm-up · 4 min

  • Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Who, where and what happened?). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. The cat sat on the mat. Then it saw a mouse and ran away. What did the cat see? (a dog / a bird / a fish / a mouse) → a mousePrompt: Find the part of the text that talks about this.
  2. In the night, the owl sat in the tall tree and hooted. When does this story happen? (at night / at lunch / after school / in the morning) → at nightPrompt: What does the character say and do?
  3. A little duck swam in the pond. It said, "Quack, quack!" Where did the duck swim? (in the bath / in the sea / in the pond / in a cup) → in the pondPrompt: Find the part of the text that talks about this.

Hook · 3 min

  • Read the first lines of a short text aloud and ask what students predict will happen and why.
  • Share the objective: Retell a story: first, next, last. Read the success criteria together.

I do: model it · 7 min

  • Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
  • Example: First, the hen sat on her eggs. Next, the eggs began to crack. Last, out came three chicks. What happened FIRST?
  • Step 1: Time words like first, next and last tell us the order.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: the hen sat on her eggs
  • Answer: the hen sat on her eggs
  • Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

We do: guided practice · 6 min

  • Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
  • Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
  1. First, we mixed the paint. Next, we painted a rainbow. Last, we hung it up to dry. What happened LAST? (we painted a rainbow / we mixed the paint / we washed our hands / we hung it up to dry) → we hung it up to dryPrompt: Look for the words first, next, then and last.
  2. Leo found a lost kitten. He took it home. Then he gave it some milk. What did Leo do first? (gave it some milk / found a lost kitten / named the kitten / took it home) → found a lost kittenPrompt: Look for the words first, next, then and last.

You do: independent practice · 7 min

  • Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
  • Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 6 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

Exit ticket · 3 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. Sara dug a hole. Then she put a seed in it. Then she watered it. What did Sara do after she dug a hole? (put a seed in it / watered it / dug another hole / picked a flower) → put a seed in itPrompt: Look for the words first, next, then and last.
  2. The rocket counted down: three, two, one. It blasted off. Then it flew up to the moon. What happened just before the rocket blasted off? (it fell over / it flew to the moon / it landed / it counted down) → it counted downPrompt: Look for the words first, next, then and last.

Watch out for

  • Answering from memory or opinion instead of evidence in the text.
  • Copying a long quote without explaining what it shows.

Support and stretch

Support

  • Review first: Who, where and what happened?.
  • Use concrete materials: a short text or extract (one copy each).
  • Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
  • Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.

Stretch

  • Move on to: Time order words: first, next, then, finally; Story shape: beginning, middle and end.
  • Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
  • Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.

Homework and more practice

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/kindergarten.

Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder

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Retell a story: first, next, last

Name

Date

Score/ 6

  1. Question 1

    First, we mixed the paint. Next, we painted a rainbow. Last, we hung it up to dry. What happened LAST?

    • A. we painted a rainbow
    • B. we mixed the paint
    • C. we washed our hands
    • D. we hung it up to dry

  2. Question 2

    The rocket counted down: three, two, one. It blasted off. Then it flew up to the moon. What happened just before the rocket blasted off?

    • A. it counted down
    • B. it landed
    • C. it fell over
    • D. it flew to the moon

  3. Question 3

    First, Pip woke up. Next, he ate his breakfast. Last, he went to the park. What did Pip do NEXT?

    • A. went to the park
    • B. woke up
    • C. went to bed
    • D. ate his breakfast

  4. Question 4

    Sara dug a hole. Then she put a seed in it. Then she watered it. What did Sara do after she dug a hole?

    • A. dug another hole
    • B. picked a flower
    • C. watered it
    • D. put a seed in it

  5. Question 5

    First, the hen sat on her eggs. Next, the eggs began to crack. Last, out came three chicks. What happened FIRST?

    • A. the hen sat on her eggs
    • B. the eggs cracked
    • C. out came three chicks
    • D. the chicks ran away

  6. Question 6

    Leo found a lost kitten. He took it home. Then he gave it some milk. What did Leo do first?

    • A. named the kitten
    • B. gave it some milk
    • C. took it home
    • D. found a lost kitten

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Answer key: Retell a story: first, next, last

  1. 1. D. we hung it up to dry

  2. 2. A. it counted down

  3. 3. D. ate his breakfast

  4. 4. D. put a seed in it

  5. 5. A. the hen sat on her eggs

  6. 6. D. found a lost kitten