Sequencing Stories: What Comes First, Next, and Last?

English Language Arts Grades Pre-K 6:06 Video
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Lesson Description

This lesson uses short sequencing stories to help Pre-K students understand the order of events. We will practice listening skills, retelling stories, and identifying what happens first, next, and last.

Video Resource

Sequencing Stories - Episode 10

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Duration: 6:06
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Sequencing
  • Order of Events
  • Story Retelling

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to identify the first, next, and last events in a simple story.
  • Students will be able to retell a short story in the correct sequence.
  • Students will improve their active listening skills.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Greet the students and introduce the topic of sequencing. Explain that sequencing means putting things in the right order, like what happens first, next, and last. Ask them about times they've had to put things in order (e.g., getting dressed, brushing teeth).
  • Video Viewing (10 mins)
    Play the YouTube video 'Sequencing Stories - Episode 10'. Encourage students to watch and listen carefully to the stories. Pause after each story.
  • Story Discussion & Retelling (15 mins)
    After each story, ask simple questions to check comprehension: 'What happened first?', 'What happened next?', 'What happened last?'. Guide the students in retelling the story in the correct order. Use visual aids (drawings, picture cards) to represent each event in the story. Have students point to the pictures as they retell the story.
  • Sequencing Activity (10 mins)
    Provide students with pre-printed picture cards representing events from one of the stories. Have them work individually or in small groups to arrange the cards in the correct sequence. Provide assistance as needed.
  • Wrap-up (5 mins)
    Review the concept of sequencing. Ask students to name something they do every day and the order in which they do it. Praise their participation and effort.

Interactive Exercises

  • Picture Card Sequencing
    Students arrange picture cards depicting events from the stories in the correct order (first, next, last).
  • Act It Out!
    Choose one of the stories and have the students act it out, emphasizing the order of events.

Discussion Questions

  • What does it mean to put things in order?
  • Why is it important to know what happens first, next, and last in a story?
  • Can you think of a time you had to put things in order?

Skills Developed

  • Sequencing skills
  • Active listening
  • Storytelling
  • Comprehension

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

In the story about the baby ducks, what happened FIRST?

Correct Answer: Mom sat on the nest

Question 2:

In the story of the dolphin, what did the boy drop in the sea?

Correct Answer: His binoculars

Question 3:

In the snow day story, what did the girl use to move the snow?

Correct Answer: A shovel

Question 4:

In the laundry story, where did the girl put the clean clothes?

Correct Answer: In the closet

Question 5:

In the story about the seed, what did the seed grow into?

Correct Answer: A tree

Question 6:

What does sequencing mean?

Correct Answer: Putting things in the right order

Question 7:

When we tell a story in order, we say what happened ________?

Correct Answer: first, next, and last

Question 8:

What do we call the last thing that happens in a story?

Correct Answer: The end

Question 9:

Why is it important to know the order of a story?

Correct Answer: So we can understand it better

Question 10:

In the laundry story, what was used to wash the clothes?

Correct Answer: Washing machine

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

First comes the beginning, then the ______, and then the end.

Correct Answer: middle

Question 2:

Putting things in order is called ________.

Correct Answer: sequencing

Question 3:

In the dolphin story, the boy used _________ to look at the sea.

Correct Answer: binoculars

Question 4:

The baby ducks hatched from their ________.

Correct Answer: eggs

Question 5:

We use a ________ to move snow.

Correct Answer: shovel

Question 6:

After washing clothes, we need to _______ them.

Correct Answer: dry

Question 7:

Before it grows, a tree starts as a ________.

Correct Answer: seed

Question 8:

What comes after one and two? ____________.

Correct Answer: three

Question 9:

Listening very closely is called ________ listening.

Correct Answer: active

Question 10:

First you plant it, next you water it, then you __________ it grow.

Correct Answer: watch

Educational Standards

PK.1.L.1:Students will actively listen using agreed-upon rules with prompting. PK.2.R:Students will begin to retell or reenact major events or details from a read-aloud. PK.3.R.2:Students will answer basic questions (e.g., who, what, where, and when) about texts, photographs, or illustrations during shared reading or other text experiences with prompting.

Teaching Materials

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