Word Sort-Narrative

Description:
Word sorts for narrative text is a before-, during-, and after-reading strategy in which the teacher creates a collection of important words and phrases from a story on index cards.  This collection is prepared in advance of the lesson.  Working individually or in pairs before reading the text, students arrange the cards in an order that supports the telling of a story and then use the cards to tell the story to the class.  During the reading the teacher stops occasionally, allowing the students to rearrange their cards, as needed. Upon the conclusion of the reading, the students rearrange for the last time in order to give a proper retelling.

How to Use the Strategy:

1. Prepare a collection of content specific words, phrases and events on index cards or pieces of paper.
   
2. Hand out a set of words to groups, pairs or individuals and discuss the words, phrases and events.
   
3. Explain that they will be organizing the events, words and phrases into a story line before they listen to the story.
   
4. Have students organize the events, phrases, and words into a story and read or discuss as a group.
   
5. Start reading the story, pausing at two or three different spots so the students can rearrange their cards to correct their story and to predict what will happen in the next portion.
   
6. After reading the story, have students rearrange for a final time to show the retelling the author intended.  
   

 

Resources
Download these resources to use in your classroom. 

Directions for printing Toolbox Cards
1.Download the toolbox card
2. Select the save button in the right hand corner
3. Open the saved document
4. Select File>Print
5. Change Page Scaling setting to Booklet Printing
6. Change Booklet Subset to Both sides
7. Press OK

word sort narrative toolbox card.pdf
File Size:	57 kb
File Type:	pdf

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