View source for Year 1 English 1.3: Retelling a story

== Preparing to retell a story ==
When we retell a story it's not just a case of telling the facts about the events in the story, rather - we add storytelling language, this helps to sequence the events and this in turn helps the listener understand and enjoy the story.

Stories usually begin by introducing the main character.

=== Common Fairy Tale Openings ===

* Once upon a time
* In a kingdom far, far away
* Long, long ago

Following the opening, the middle of a story usually presents a problem - in the case of Humpty Dumpty for example he falls off a wall. 

We then come to the ending - it's important to realise not all stories have a happy ending.

=== Retelling Humpty Dumpty ===
Once upon a time in a kingdom far away there was an egg called Humpty Dumpty. Humpty Dumpty loved to climb and sit on walls so he could observe the kingdom. One day he climbed a very tall wall with views far and wide. Someone shouted and the shock knocked him off the wall. All the King's horses and all the King's men tried to fix him. Sadly, they couldn't put him back together.

== Retelling a story ==
When we retell a story we must use our speaking and listening skills:

This means when listening we:

* Be quiet / lips closed
* Paying attention
* Staying still

And when speaking we must be:

* Loud enough for people to hear
* Clear