About this resource
Retelling stories builds language and comprehension. This sheet uses prompts for characters, setting, problem, events, feelings and ending, a retell checklist and partner tips for scaffolding.
Purpose
To build organised, complete story retells.
Who it is for
Primary profession: Speech pathologists. Also relevant for educators and school support staff.
Client or participant group: Children building narrative skills.
Practice setting: Speech pathology, classrooms and home practice.
Suggested uses
- Speech pathology sessions
- Reading programs
- Home practice
- Tracking narrative skills
Instructions for practitioners
- Use short, engaging stories.
- Model a retell first.
- Use prompts, then fade them.
- Record retells to track progress.
Instructions for clients or participants
- Listen to the story.
- Use the prompts.
- Retell the story.
Accessibility considerations
Use pictures from the story.
Scope and limitations
A learning activity. It does not assess language.
Research basis
Parent-implemented language strategies and interactive shared reading support children's language development. Explicit teaching of phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension supports reading development.
- Castles, A., Rastle, K., & Nation, K. (2018). Ending the Reading Wars: Reading Acquisition From Novice to Expert. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 19(1), 5–51. https://doi.org/10.1177/1529100618772271
- Mol, S. E., Bus, A. G., de Jong, M. T., & Smeets, D. J. H. (2008). Added Value of Dialogic Parent–Child Book Readings: A Meta-Analysis. Early Education and Development, 19(1), 7–26. https://doi.org/10.1080/10409280701838603
- Roberts, M. Y., & Kaiser, A. P. (2011). The Effectiveness of Parent-Implemented Language Interventions: A Meta-Analysis. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 20(3), 180–199. https://doi.org/10.1044/1058-0360(2011/10-0055)
What is included
A 2-page printable A4 PDF, including a practitioner notes page with the research basis (version 1.0).
Originality
Original Practitioner Plus content: wording, activity structure, layout and icons were created for this resource. No third-party worksheets, illustrations or text were reproduced.
