Retelling, characters and setting worksheets
Aligned with Common Core RL.1.3
Printable story worksheets for first grade: story maps, characters and setting, Somebody-Wanted-But-So-Then retelling, and beginning, middle and end.
The worksheets
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How to Retell a Story
Characters and setting, beginning-middle-end with a short story example, and the Somebody Wanted But So Then frame.
Story Map
A short story with a story map for characters, setting, beginning, middle and end.
Characters and Setting
A short story with character names to circle, a setting choice and a drawing box.
Somebody Wanted But So Then
A short story with a five-part retelling frame. Matches RL.1.2.
Beginning, Middle, End
Two short stories, each with three events to put in order. Matches RL.1.2.
Print the whole packet
One copy of every sheet above, in order. Tap + for more copies (up to 10).
For the parent or teacher
What it is
Retelling means telling a story again in your own words, in order. First graders learn to name the characters (who), the setting (where and when), and the main events at the beginning, middle and end. It shows they understood the story, not just read the words.
What comes next
In second grade, kids describe how characters respond to events and find the lesson in a story.
How to teach it
- Ask who, where and what happened after every story you read together.
- Use first, next, then and last when retelling.
- Try Somebody, Wanted, But, So, Then. It's a quick five-finger retell.
- Let your child draw or say the answers before writing them. Writing can come later.
Common mistakes
- Retelling every tiny detail. Ask "What are the most important parts?"
- Mixing up the order. Have your child find the beginning and end first.
- Naming the setting as a thing, like "a tree" instead of "the park".