Retelling in My Own Way

During my time as the Reading Specialist at Powell Valley Primary school, I have found that teachers are constantly trying to find ways to build comprehension. Retelling in MY OWN WAY allows children to use their creativity to build comprehension in a way that they don't even realize it!

THIS MUST BE MODELED TO YOUR CHILDREN SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE IT CAN BE ASSIGNED TO THEM FOR INDIVIDUAL WORK BECAUSE WE WANT THE CHILDREN THINKING...NOT THEIR PARENTS. ALSO IT WORKS GREAT IN TEAMS!

First, read a story to your class (the length and reading level would depend on the classroom you are working in, but gear it to your children). After this is completed and the appropriate teacher directed questions have built during the reading, ask you children to retell the story in their own way. They should take the following steps.

1. Take pictures of things in their lives that have a connection to the story. These can be pictures of people, signs, food, etc.

2. Use the digital recorder to take notes as you are collecting the photographs. This works as a great reminder of wonderful ideas.

3. Use the digital recorder to narrate the story.

4. Combine the pictures and recordings together to create a complete retelling. Students may need assistance downloading the pictures and recordings to the computer.

5. Show this to the class either from the computer or your smartboard. I even burn copies for my children to take home and share.

Grading requirements are based on the teacher.

This project/lesson plan can be a lot of fun for children. The different ways that children interpret stories and the unique ways in which they choose to share it with you will inspire you not only as a teacher, but also as a person. It is important for us to foster that creative side in our children and using technology is a great way to do it!