First is the thumb: I ask my students to tell me who the main characters are and explain the setting (where and when the story takes place). I love that they use their thumb for this part... it is separate enough from their fingers that they recognize the connection to the retell of the story, but know that it is really additional detail information beyond the retell itself.
Next, students also raise their index finger and explain the beginning of the story.
The middle and ring fingers are raised to give two important details for the middle of the story, or how the story progresses.
Finally, the little finger is raised to explain the ending. Here, my students are expected to tell how the problem in the story is resolved.
I'm SO impressed with how this structure has helped my students organize their thinking when retelling a story. We created an anchor chart to help us remember the steps:
I LOVE the little hand graphics from Teacher Laura on TpT!
Once my students are successful with the oral retells I begin to introduce how to use graphic organizers to create a written retell using the gradual release model. I begin the process by modeling on the SMART Board and moving toward my students writing independent retells on paper. My "Good Readers" Reading Response Graphic Organizers are perfect for this!
This resource is also available in a Google Drive format!
You might also be interested in the ideas I've shared in this blog post:
The resources and strategies on this Pinterest board might also be helpful:
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Erin, I love your 'Fist to Five' technique, pinned it and plan to make it a regular part of my lessons, too! Simple, straightforward, easy to remember! Thanks for a great post!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! My students have been really successful with it! :)
Delete~Erin
Fantastic! Simple yet practical. Thanks for sharing!!!!
ReplyDeleteGlad to help, Rockin' Robin! Thanks for stopping by! :)
DeleteErin
We have used this strategy for years in our school! We call it reading across our hand! It is so helpful and such a visual for them
ReplyDeleteAwesome!! Thanks for stopping by, Samantha!
DeleteErin