Sequence, Retell and Write

Sequence, Retell and Write

Very early in life kids learn that things happen in a certain order.  Young children come to recognize patterns and routines that help make the world more predictable for them.  As teachers, we set routines and procedures for the school day, so that students know what is expected of them.  As educators, we can build on this basic understanding of routine and order to help teach our students the value of sequencing.  

What is sequencing? Why teach it? 
How does it help your students retell? 

Sequencing refers to the identification of the components of a story or event-the beginning, middle, and end- and also to the ability to retell the events in a text in the order in which they have occurred.  The ability to sequence events is not only an important skill for both reading and writing but also for science, math and social studies.  Teaching readers to understand the importance of the order of events helps them deepen their comprehension.  Being able to identify a beginning, middle, and end helps readers to retell a narrative feasibly.  When students begin to write stories their capability to form a plot depends on the understanding that events happen in a certain order.  In addition to narratives, students will need strong sequencing skills for procedural writing, math computation and science experiments that have steps to be followed. No matter your age you use sequencing daily from following a new recipe or reading an instructional manual for how to build something. Sequencing is everywhere!

How do I teach sequencing to my students?  I have included some ideas and activities below. Give these strategies a try!

Introduce It!

First, I like to introduce new topics with a video.  I love the one provided by BrainPOP Jr. This video gives students an overview of the new learning.  In this short video, students discover why sequence is crucial to the plot of a story, and how progression helps order the events or steps in a text.  Students discover how transition words like first, next, then, last indicate the order in which things happen.  It also introduces the importance of using a chart to take notes of events as they read.  

Model it!

Next, I model!  Before asking my students to try anything new on their own, I model it for them.  By modeling, I am creating the standard for the quality of work that I will expect from my students.  I also have the opportunity to give suggestions for future problems.   As we read stories that contain the comprehension skill of sequencing I use chart paper to record the story elements as we read. During this time, students are participating by providing evidence from their texts for me to record on the chart.

Have students retell in writing and orally...
Then, during our second read, students record the characters, setting, and sequence of the story onto a retelling map.  They then use this map and their text to orally answer questions related to the story elements with their team using the Fan-N-Pick structure. Fan-N-Pick Story Elements
My students are very engaged in this process and cheer when they get to play Fan-N-Pick.  They love to tell a story while collaborating with their team.  They are very successful with this literacy task as they are practicing oral language skills.  With practice and positive praise, even my most reluctant learners are successful in this activity.  

Independent Writing...
Last, students use their retelling map and text to create a Flow Map containing and a topic sentence, sequence of events and a closing sentence.  I teach my students that after they write a sentence, they should then draw a detailed picture that matches the sentence.  Students can use their text or ask their partner if they get stuck.  Students will then use their Flow Map to write a paragraph.  Students have a self-editing checklist to check over the conventions of their writing before completing their story.  

  

The capability to sequence events is a skill that is so important.  It transmits to all subject areas and is used throughout a person's education.  It also helps students to become organized and focused on their thoughts.  If we can give our students a firm grasp of this skill in their early years, we are setting them up for success in years to come.  All of my students feel successful because of the routine we have built in this process.  It is a meaningful and engaging process.  I hope you are feeling inspired to take action.  Please email me with any questions or if you'd like to see this in action.   

  

      Positively Teaching,   
Randi Muehlen