Oh, Tell it Again

Can I tell you how much I LOVE retelling?

It's true.  I do. Really, I do!

And so do my kids. They do. Really, they do!

Now, that we have our Retelling Ribbons. It's a breeze to retell.

I remember reading about Retelling Ropes from Kelli at Castles and Crayons. Then, I saw Cara's too cute recreations at the First Grade Parade. Which perked me up a bit. Still, I was too busy to get off my tush and try it out.

A couple of weeks ago, I completed the reading series and had some time to think about the skills and strategies I wanted to cover with all of this glorious available teaching time. 

This week, I've been using the mentor text, Joseph Had a Little Overcoat, to teach finding the main idea of a story.

This is such a great story and I just knew it was time to retell it. 

I found Nancy's blog, First Grade Wow. {Thanks to Pinterest.}

Check it out, she has some fabulous ideas. 

Is there talented teachers everywhere or what?!?

She has a super cute anchor chart and printables for teaching retelling and making your own rope. 

I only had ribbon, so ours is called the Retelling Ribbon.

The alliteration is still there - no harm, no foul.

We've had such a blast retelling. They even adore writing their retelling.

Could it get any better?

I was thinking if I had started this sooner, it would have been great as homework or to add to their journals during Work on Writing time of Daily 5.

Anchor Chart

They are so used to me taking pictures
that they all want to be included.

My resident class clown did a very good retell of the story.

Today, I had them pick a fiction story on their own and practice retelling in groups.

I love to see happy engaged students.

Can I tell you how much I'll miss my girls?

Looking good, right? I think so!

BIG THANKS to Kelli, Cara, and Nancy for getting my tired booty into this awesome new-to-me reading strategy!