Sequence of Events in a Story

What happened first in the sentence below?

Sam opened the classroom door, put his backpack up, and went to his seat.

• Sam went to the restroom.

• Sam put his backpack up.

• Sam opened the classroom door.

• Sam went to his seat.

What comes next?

I put my dog on a leash.

I walked my dog down the street.

My dog saw a squirrel.

• My dog started to sing

• It started to rain

• My dog barked at the squirrel

• My dog ate a bone

Which transition word has the same meaning as finally?

• Lastly

• First

• Before

• While

At the beginning of the day, a loud clanging of the fire alarm startled everyone in the room. The third-grade class walked quietly to a safe area away from the building. Then the teacher reminded the last student to shut the classroom door.

What happened second?

• The teacher reminded the last student to shut the door.

• The loud clanging of the fire alarm scared everyone in the room.

• The 3rd grade class walked quietly to a safe area.

Riley got dressed for school and hurried downstairs for breakfast.  Riley rolled over, sleepy eyed, and turn off the alarm clock. Later Riley met his friends at the corner to walk to school.
What happened last?
 

• Riley got dressed for school.

• Riley hurried downstairs for breakfast.

• Riley turned off the alarm.

• Riley met his friends at the corner.

To sequence means to ____________.

• put things in the order they happen

• list the important details of a story

• to figure out what is happening

• find the main idea and supporting details

Jason's alarm went off at 7:30. He jumped out of bed, got dressed, and brushed his teeth. Then he made his bed before going downstairs for breakfast. After eating a bowl of cereal and some toast, Jason grabbed his backpack and headed out the door to catch the bus.

What did Jason do before he brushed his teeth?

• Made his bed

• Ate a bowl of cereal

• Jumped out of bed

• Got dressed

Sequencing helps the reader.......

• find the problem and solution

• name the cause and effect

• organize the characters

• understand the order that things happen

What are some clue words for sequencing?

• as a result of, therefore

• first, next, then, finally

• main idea, details

• summarize, re-read

It was spring. Cathy decided to plant seeds in her garden. First, she planted the seeds. Then, she watered them everyday. Soon the seeds grew into beautiful flowers.  What happened first? 

• She decided to start a garden. 

• It was spring. 

• The seeds grew into flowers. 

• She planted seeds.