Alphabet
The alphabet is the set of 26 letters we use to write English, from a to z, each with a name, a sound and a capital and lowercase shape.
English · Ages 5–6 · 50 minutes
Retelling a story in order
Children retell a familiar story in the right order using time words, naming the characters and setting and including the important events.
Success criteria
- I can name the characters and the setting
- I can tell the story in the right order
- I can use time words like first and next and then
Key vocabulary
- character
- setting
- beginning
- middle
- end
- first
- next
- then
- finally
You will need
- the story The Pancake That Flew
- a frying pan and a paper pancake as props
- picture cards of key events
- a washing line and pegs
Curriculum links
- Year 1· England
- Kindergarten· United States
- Common Core RL.K.3: With prompting and support, identify characters, settings and major events in a story.
- Common Core RL.1.3: Describe characters, settings and major events in a story using key details.
- Common Core W.K.3: Use drawing, dictating and writing to tell about an event or events in order.
- England NC Y1.EN.RC.2: Understand books they read and hear by checking sense, discussing events and answering questions.
Practice sheets
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The Pancake That Flew
Sequencing: first, next, then, last
Story map
Comic strip
This lesson works best once children have heard the story at least once before, for example at story time the day before. Retelling is easier when the story is familiar.
1.Starter
7 minutesHold up the frying pan and paper pancake. "Who remembers what happened to Ezra's pancake?"
Take a few ideas, then read The Pancake That Flew aloud again. As you read, flip the paper pancake at "One… two… THREE!" and hold it up "on the lamp".
"Who was in the story? Where did it happen?"
Write two headings: Characters (Ezra, Mama Lotte, Mum Grace, Bami the dog) and Setting (their kitchen in Amsterdam).
2.Teach
12 minutes"When we retell a story, we tell it again in our own words. We don't need every word from the book, just the important parts, in the right order."
Put five picture cards on the board, jumbled:
- Ezra and his mums make pancakes on Saturday.
- Ezra does a giant flip.
- The pancake gets stuck on the lamp.
- The pancake drops into Bami's mouth.
- Ezra does a gentle flip and they eat pancakes with strawberries.
"Hmm, these are in a muddle. What happened first?" Peg them on the washing line in order with the class's help.
Then model a retelling, touching each card and stressing the time words:
"First, Ezra and his two mums made pancakes. Next, Ezra said he would do the biggest flip ever. Then the pancake flew up and got stuck on the lamp! After that, it fell into Bami's mouth. Finally, Ezra did a gentle flip and they all ate pancakes."
Write the time words on cards and peg them above the pictures.
