This sequence of events activity helps preschool, kindergarten, and 1st grade children put picture cards in order and retell stories with first, next, then, and last. An answer key is included.
UsingFind the Missing Letters Sequencing Activity, students place alphabet letter cards to complete the alphabet sequences.
Using Describing An Experience Worksheet, students write or draw about an important experience by including events in order.
First, next, last, hooray!
Preschoolers learn that stories and everyday events happen in an order. They use the words first, next and last to retell a simple story or a routine, like getting dressed or planting a seed. Three picture cards are plenty to start. The click moment is when a child spots that something is out of order and says, "No, you have to put on socks before shoes!"
Sequencing grows from real life, then moves to stories. These are the moves we use most.
Lay out three picture cards out of order and ask, "What happened first?" Kids move the cards and retell the story using first, next and last. Start with routines they know well.
Why it works: going from real objects to pictures to symbols is a core recommendation of the U.S. Department of Education's elementary math guide.
Try it withSequence of Events ActivityActivitiesOpen it →Read a short story aloud, then retell it together using your fingers: first finger for first, second for next, third for last. Kids love holding up fingers as they talk.
Why it works: showing first, practicing together, then letting kids try alone is the "gradual release" model teachers have relied on for decades (Pearson and Gallagher, 1983).
Try it withBedtime for Bunny Reading Comprehension WorksheetWorksheetsOpen it →After a second short story, ask quick order questions: "What did the puppy do after breakfast?" A few questions are enough to see who is following the order.
Why it works: researchers who compared ten study methods found practice testing is one of the two that work best (Dunlosky and colleagues, 2013).
Try it withA Puppy's First Day Reading Comprehension WorksheetAssessmentsOpen it →Order games that get kids moving and talking.
ActivitiesKids find the missing letters in alphabet order. Sequencing and ABCs in one!
Open Find the Missing Letters Sequencing Activity →
SongsKids act out a routine like brushing teeth while the class calls out first, next, last.
Open Song About A Song →
Make a simple snack together and take photos of each step, then put the pictures in order.
Open Describing An Experience Worksheet →Teacher favorites right now: Song About A Song, Sequence of Events Activity and Bedtime for Bunny Reading Comprehension Worksheet.
Sequencing means putting events in the order they happen. Preschoolers practice with first, next and last, using pictures, stories and daily routines.
It helps kids understand and retell stories, follow directions and later write their own stories with a beginning, middle and end.
Start with three. Once kids can do three easily, try four. More than that is usually too much for this age.
Talk through routines out loud: "First we wash hands, next we eat, last we clear the plate." Ask your child to tell you the steps of their day at bedtime.
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