Five-Finger Retell Chart
Use your hand to retell a story. Touch one finger for each part as you tell it.
Need more than one? Tap + for extra copies (up to 10).
How to do it
- Touch your thumb and say who the story is about.
- Touch each finger for where, the problem, the events and the ending.
- Use the order words to tell it in order.
Teaching tip
Use the hand for any story, movie or show. Kids remember it. This sheet is aligned with Common Core SL.2.2.
About this chart
A hand chart with the five parts of a retell (who, where, problem, events, ending), order words, and an example of a big part vs. a tiny detail.
What kids practice
Retelling means telling the important parts of a story in order, in your own words. A good retell names who the story is about, where it happens, the problem, what happened, and how it ended. Kids who can retell are showing that they understood what they read or heard, and it's one of the best ways to build reading comprehension and clear speaking at the same time. In 2nd grade, kids are expected to retell stories and tell the central message (aligned with Common Core SL.2.2 and RL.2.2).
Watch for
- Telling every single detail. A retell is the big parts only.
- Leaving out the ending. Ask, "How did it turn out?"
- Telling events out of order. Use the order strips or the order words.
- Copying sentences word for word from the story. Encourage "your own words."
It's free to print, as many copies as you need. See the full retelling stories guide for 2nd grade.
More sheets in this set
2. Story MapA short story with a picture and a story map on big blue writing lines. Fewer asks for the ending only, and More adds the middle. Includes an answer key with example answers.
3. Put the Story in OrderFour mixed-up story strips to number in order (three on Fewer, five on More), order words to say it out loud, and one ending to write. Includes an answer key.
4. Big Part or Tiny Detail?Story cards to sort into big parts you need for a retell and tiny details you can leave out, plus one short-retell sentence. Includes an answer key.
5. Tell-a-Story CardsSix picture cards, each with a character, a place and a problem, like a dragon at the beach who loses a key. Kids make up a story and tell it in order. Every version has new mixes.