Retelling in Order

Tell what happened in a story from start to finish, in your own words.

When you retell a story, you tell what happened in order, with the important details, in your own words. Use order words: first, next, then, last. Read: 'Mae planted a seed. She watered it every day. A green sprout popped up.

At last, a sunflower bloomed, taller than Mae! ' A retell: 'First, Mae planted a seed. Next, she watered it each day. Then a sprout grew. Last, a big sunflower bloomed. ' Notice the retell keeps the order and includes the main events.

If you mix up the order, the story stops making sense.

• 1A retell tells events in order.
• 2Use first, next, then, last.
• 3Use your own words.