Story Order: What Happens First, Next, and Last
Imagine telling your friend about your morning, but you start with lunch, then breakfast, then getting dressed backwards! It would be very confusing. Every story — even a true one about your day — has an order: something happens first, then next, then last. Good readers and good storytellers pay close attention to that order.
What You'll Learn
- Point to the beginning, middle, and end of a story - Use the words first, next, then, and last to tell events in order - Retell a simple story in the right order - Notice when a story's order gets mixed up
Beginning, Middle, and End
Every story has three big parts. The beginning tells us who the story is about and where it happens. The middle is where something happens — a problem shows up, or a character tries something new. The end tells us how it all turns out. Think about the story of the Three Little Pigs: the beginning introduces the three pigs building houses, the middle is the wolf huffing and puffing, and the end is the pigs staying safe in the brick house.
Order Words
We use special words to show order: first, next, then, and last. 'First I woke up. Next I brushed my teeth. Then I ate breakfast. Last I put on my shoes.' These words are like signposts that help a listener follow along without getting lost.
Pick something you did this morning and tell it to a grown-up using first, next, then, and last. Notice how much easier it is to follow than if you jumped around!
When Order Gets Mixed Up
Sometimes a silly story mixes up the order on purpose to make us laugh — like a story where a chicken hatches from an egg AFTER it lays the egg! Noticing when order is wrong is a sign you're really paying attention to a story.
In the story of the Three Little Pigs, what happens in the MIDDLE of the story?
Which word would you use to tell what happened RIGHT AFTER the beginning of a story?
My Morning in Order
Draw four small pictures showing what you did this morning, in order. Under each picture, write or dictate one sentence using the words First, Next, Then, and Last. Show your finished page to a family member and tell the story out loud.
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