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English lesson plan · Kindergarten (Reception and Year 1 in England) · 60 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 · 6 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. Kai planted a seed. He gave it water every day. Soon a flower grew. What grew from the seed? (a carrot / a tree / a flower / an apple) → a flowerPrompt: 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. The cat sat on the mat. Then it saw a mouse and ran away. What did the cat see? (a dog / a mouse / a fish / a bird) → a mousePrompt: Find the part of the text that talks about this.

Hook · 6 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 · 12 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 · 12 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. Sara dug a hole. Then she put a seed in it. Then she watered it. What did Sara do after she dug a hole? (watered it / put a seed in it / dug another hole / picked a flower) → put a seed in itPrompt: Look for the words first, next, then and last.
  2. First, Pip woke up. Next, he ate his breakfast. Last, he went to the park. What did Pip do NEXT? (went to the park / ate his breakfast / went to bed / woke up) → ate his breakfastPrompt: Look for the words first, next, then and last.

You do: independent practice · 17 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 5 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

Exit ticket · 7 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? (dug another hole / picked a flower / put a seed in it / watered it) → 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 landed / it fell over / it counted down / it flew to the moon) → 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/ 5

  1. Question 1

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

  2. Question 2

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

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

  3. Question 3

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

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

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

  5. Question 5

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

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

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

  1. 1. B. it counted down

  2. 2. C. the hen sat on her eggs

  3. 3. C. found a lost kitten

  4. 4. D. put a seed in it

  5. 5. B. we hung it up to dry