Retell It Right Lesson Plan Retell It Right!
Master Facilitator Guide
TIER 2 INTERVENTION
Grade 5 • 30 Minutes
Objective
Students will be able to identify key story elements (character, setting, problem, solution, main events), retell narratives concisely, and strategically use pauses to enhance storytelling clarity.
Why This Matters
Effective narrative retell is crucial for demonstrating comprehension, sharing experiences, and engaging listeners. Learning to include essential story elements, avoid excessive details, and use pauses helps students become clear and confident communicators.
Prep Checklist
Instructional Flow
01
Warm-Up: Story Snapshot
5 Minutes
Focus: Capturing the main idea quickly.
Teacher Script:
"Good morning, storytellers! Today, we're going to become masters of retelling stories. To get us started, I'm going to tell you a very short, familiar story. I want you to listen carefully, because afterward, you'll have to tell it back to me in just one sentence!"
Tell a simple fairy tale briefly.
Ask students to individually retell it in one sentence .
Provide feedback on capturing the main idea.
02
Story Elements & Pauses
8 Minutes
Focus: Introducing the "Big 5" and strategic breathing.
Use the Slide Deck to introduce: Character, Setting, Problem, Solution, and Main Events.
Explain pauses: prevent run-on sentences and help listeners process.
Teacher Script:
"When we retell a story, we want to hit the main points: Who? Where? What's the challenge? How is it solved? And what are the big things that happen? Remember, a short pause helps your listener keep up and shows you're sharing something important."
03
Guided Practice
7 Minutes
Focus: Interactive identification.
Distribute Story Element Cards .
Read "The Three Little Pigs" aloud, pausing for significant elements.
Students hold up the corresponding card when they hear an element.
Use Discussion Prompts to deepen understanding of why pauses matter.
04
Activity: Retell Race Game
10 Minutes
Focus: Mastery and feedback.
Students work in pairs. One is the Storyteller, one is the Listener.
Rotate roles so everyone retells and provides feedback using the Scorecard .
Articulation Focus: Remind students working on /r/ sounds to slow down and articulate clearly during pauses. Retell It Right Slide Deck Storytelling Studio
Retell It Right!
Become a Storytelling Master!
Facilitator Notes Available Below
What's a Retell?
Telling a story or event in your own words .
Sharing the most important parts.
Making sure your listener understands !
Why Bother With Better Retells?
The Super Story Secret
Story Elements!
Every great story has key ingredients. We call them story elements!
Who's In the Story?
Character
The people or animals the story is about.
Example: Little Red Riding Hood, the Big Bad Wolf, the Three Little Pigs...
Where and When?
Setting
Where and when the story takes place .
Example: A dark forest, a faraway castle, school at lunchtime...
What's the Big Snag?
Problem
The main challenge or difficulty the character faces.
Example: A Prince needs to save a Princess, a hungry Wolf wants to eat pigs...
How Is It Fixed?
Solution
How the problem is solved or worked out .
Example: The Prince defeats the dragon, the pigs build a brick house...
The Key Actions
Main Events
The most important things that happen. Not every detail, just the big stuff!
Example: First they met the wolf, then they built houses...
Slow Down!
Why Pauses Matter
Help you take a breath .
Help listener understand important parts.
Make story sound clear , not rushed!
Time to Practice!
Let's put our new skills to the test! Remember our story elements AND those helpful pauses !
Story Elements
Strategic Pauses
Story Elements Discussion Prompts Studio Talk
Discussion Guide
Retell It Right!
Tier 2 Intervention
Use these prompts to guide a conversation about effective narrative retelling after students have practiced identifying story elements. Focus on the quality and clarity of communication.
1
What are the most important parts of a story we need to remember when we retell it?
Hint: Remind students of the "Super Story Secret" ingredients!
2
Why is it helpful to only share the most important events, and not every single detail? What happens if we tell too much?
3
When you hear someone tell a story, how do you know if they are telling it clearly? What helps you understand?
4
We talked about using pauses. How do pauses help both the storyteller and the listener? Can you give an example?
5
Think about the story we just read. If you were going to retell it to a friend, what would be the absolute must-include information? Story Element Cards Story Element Flashcards
Cut along the dashed lines. Use these to identify parts of a story during instruction!
Character
The WHO of the story.
Setting
The WHERE and WHEN.
Problem
The challenge or snag.
Solution
How it was fixed.
Main Events
The most important actions.
Pause
Take a breath for clarity.
Retell Race Game Instructions Retell Race
Game Instructions
"Ready, Set, Retell!"
Objective
To practice retelling stories clearly and concisely, including all key story elements, and using strategic pauses.
Materials
• Short stories or picture prompts
• Timer (optional)
• Retell Race Scorecards
• Pencils
How to Play
1
Form Teams: Divide students into pairs or small groups of 3. In each group, assign a Storyteller and Listeners .
2
Story Selection: Provide a prompt (picture card, short paragraph, or personal event topic). The Storyteller takes 30 seconds to plan their "Super Story Secret" ingredients.
3
The Retell: The Storyteller shares the story. They MUST include:
Character Setting Problem Solution Main Events Pauses
4
Listener Feedback: Listeners use the Retell Race Scorecard to check off elements. After the retell, they provide one "Star" (something great) and one "Wish" (something to improve).
5
Rotate: Switch roles until everyone has had a turn in the "Spotlight."
Articulation Focus
For students working on /r/ sounds , remind them to pay special attention during their pauses . Pausing provides the perfect moment to reset their tongue position and articulate the next /r/ sound clearly and accurately.
Retell Race Scorecard Worksheet Retell Race Scorecard
Listener Feedback Form
Storyteller Name:
Your Name:
Date:
Listen carefully to your classmate! Check YES if they included the story element, or NO if they missed it.
Character
Did they say WHO the story was about?
YES
NO
Setting
WHERE and WHEN did it happen?
YES
NO
Problem
What was the main challenge?
YES
NO
Solution
How was the problem fixed?
YES
NO
Main Events
Only the most important actions?
YES
NO
Strategic Pauses
Did they take breaths for clarity?
YES
NO
My Favorite Part:
One Tip for Next Time: 
