Steps for Retelling a Story
1. Predict Plot/Vocabulary
Choose a book for retelling.
Read only the title, covering any illustration
From the title only, have your child predict what s/he thinks the story might be about.
Discuss responses: "How come you think that?" or "What makes you think that?"
Show the cover illustration and predict further about what this story might be about.
Brainstorm what kinds of words might appear in a story like this. Make a list to refer to later.
2. Read Story.
Depending on the level and the story, you can read aloud to your child, your child can read aloud to you, you can both read aloud, or you child can read independently.
3. Confirm/Disconfirm
Go back to the original predictions and confirm or disconfimr the accuracy of each. Remember that the reasons/rationale behind the predictions are more important than whether the predictions came true or not.
4. Analyse and Organize the Story
Create a graphic organizer/story web map
Identify the beginning, middle and end parts of the story.
Identify the main characters, setting, and plot.
5. Retell Story
Retell the story in reader’s own language and words. S/he may use the story web to help. Include the main details of the story, in sequential order.
Discuss the story: favourite/least favourite part, how come a character made a choice/decision, what we would have done, etc. Asking open ended questions such as "How come..." instead of "yes/no" questions can help facilitate discussion.
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