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1st Grade Retell Stories With Key Details worksheets

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Retell Stories With Key Details

Grade 1 Reading Worksheet - Challenge Me

NameDate

Circle the answer.

Read this first
Ava's Warm Coat
On a frosty morning, Ava looks out the window. Frost covers the glass. The branches shake in the cold wind. Ava goes to her closet. She pulls out a thick green coat. She puts it on over her sweater and zips it to her chin. Next, she finds a wool hat and pulls it over her ears. Then she steps outside. The wind blows, but Ava feels warm. She walks to the bus stop and smiles.
1.
Which sentence retells the whole story?
- Ava sees frost on the window.
- Ava sees frost, puts on a coat and hat, and walks to the bus stop warm.
- Ava goes swimming at the beach.
- Ava walks to the bus stop warm.
2.
Which sentence tells only the beginning?
- Ava walks to the bus stop warm.
- Ava sees frost on the window.
- Ava goes swimming at the beach.
- Ava sees frost, puts on a coat and hat, and walks to the bus stop warm.
3.
Which sentence tells only the ending?
- Ava walks to the bus stop warm.
- Ava goes swimming at the beach.
- Ava sees frost on the window.
- Ava sees frost, puts on a coat and hat, and walks to the bus stop warm.
4.
What happens at the beginning?
- She pulls out a thick green coat.
- Frost covers the glass.
- Ava goes outside in shorts.
- Ava leaves her coat at home.
5.
What happens in the middle?
- She pulls out a thick green coat.
- Ava takes a taxi to school.
- Ava leaves her coat at home.
- Frost covers the glass.
6.
What happens at the end?
- Ava takes a taxi to school.
- She pulls out a thick green coat.
- She walks to the bus stop and smiles.
- Frost covers the glass.
7.
Which sentence should NOT be in a retell?
- Ava zips her coat up to her chin.
- Ava takes a taxi to school.
- Frost covers the glass.
- She pulls out a thick green coat.
8.
What does Ava do in this story?
- plants a flower
- bakes a pie
- packs for the beach
- puts on warm clothes
9.
What lesson does this story teach?
- Dress for the weather to stay warm.
- The wind never matters.
- Coats are only for summer.
10.
Which true detail could you add to a retell?
- Ava leaves her coat at home.
- Ava goes outside in shorts.
- Ava zips her coat up to her chin.
- Ava takes a taxi to school.

1st Grade Retell Stories With Key Details worksheet 1 – printable PDF — Download PDF: 1 2 3 4 5 6

About this worksheet

Retelling is a literature standard because it shows whether a reader understands the whole story, not just one remembered detail. First graders learn to include key events in order and, when appropriate, tell the lesson or central message. This worksheet gives compact stories, printed once above the questions that use them, with a clear problem, action, and result. Questions ask children to choose the best retell, identify details that must be included, name a story's message, recognize a retell that covers only part of the story, and put events in order.

Support versions use the shortest stories. Standard and challenge versions move to longer stories that need more careful retelling. Children often retell by naming a favorite detail or repeating the last event only. Ask them to use three fingers for beginning, middle, and end, then add the message after the retell is complete.

What your child will learn

Retell key story events
Keep events in order
Name a central message
Separate important details from small extras

Common Core standard: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.2

Worked example

A strong retell of Ben's fish story says he feeds the fish, checks the water, and washes his hands.

Common mistake

Retelling only the ending and leaving out what caused it.

Helpful hint

Use beginning, middle, and end before naming the message.

Next skill: Poetry Rhythm and Rhyme Earlier: Read With Fluency

Questions parents ask

What is the most common mistake with retell stories with key details?

Retelling only the ending and leaving out what caused it.

How can I help my child with retell stories with key details?

Use beginning, middle, and end before naming the message.

Are these 1st grade reading worksheets free to print?

Yes. All 6 printable versions on this page are free to download and print, with no account needed.

More 1st grade literature

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