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Sequencing events in a recount

Lesson details

Learning outcome

I can sequence events of a trip and add in fronted adverbials of time.

Key learning points

  1. Recounts are mostly told in chronological or time order
  2. Events in a trip can be placed on a timeline to help remember the sequence
  3. Fronted adverbials of time such as 'First,' 'Then,' 'After that,' and 'Finally,' can be used to structure a recount
  4. Recounting orally helps to remember the events of a trip before writing

Keywords

  • Chronological - arranging events in time order

  • Sequence - following the order in which a series of events happened

  • Events - the main parts

  • Fronted adverbials of time - a sentence starter that tells the reader when something happens

  • Retelling - summarising a story in your own words, highlighting key events and details.

Common misconception

Pupils may struggle to understand what a fronted adverbial is.

Refer to the Year 1: Grammar: Word Class unit and teach alongside this unit.

Teacher tip

If possible, provide pupils with photos of the main events that they can place in order on a timeline. You could encourage them to work in pairs or groups so that they are having rich discussions. In turn, this will support their writing.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
(Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

6 Questions

Q1.
Which word is the adjective in the following sentence: 'We travelled on the crowded bus.'

We
travelled
Correct answer: crowded
bus

Q2.
Match the words in the following sentence to their word class: 'We arrived at the beautiful park.'

Correct Answer:arrived,verb

verb

Correct Answer:beautiful,adjective

adjective

Correct Answer:park,noun

noun

Q3.
Recounts are about events that ...

Correct answer: already happened.
are happening.
are going to happen.

Q4.
Recounts are ...

poems.
fiction.
Correct answer: non-fiction.
titles.

Q5.
Which word completes the following sentence so that it is in the past tense? 'I __________ lunch.'

have
will have
Correct answer: had

Q6.
Which sentence is written correctly?

We went on an exciting trip to the park
We went. on an exciting trip to the park.
we went on an exciting trip to the park.
We went on an Exciting trip to the park.
Correct answer: We went on an exciting trip to the park.

6 Questions

Q1.
What does 'sequencing' mean?

it is a type of book
Correct answer: putting things in order
talking about features of a book

Q2.
Fill in the missing word in the following sentence: '__________ means the order in which events happened.'

Non-chronological
Random
Fiction
Correct answer: Chronological

Q3.
A fronted adverbial of time ...

tells the reader where something happened.
Correct answer: comes at the beginning of a sentence.
Correct answer: tells the reader when something happened.
comes at the end of a sentence.
Correct answer: is followed by a comma.

Q4.
Which of these are fronted adverbials of time?

Correct answer: First,
Under the bridge,
Correct answer: After that,
Correct answer: Last week,
Quickly,

Q5.
Which fronted adverbial is often used at the end of a recount?

First,
Then,
Next,
Correct answer: Finally,

Q6.
What can help us to remember the events of a trip before writing?

Correct answer: sequencing events on a timeline
writing everything down
Correct answer: retelling the trip out loud
keeping the information in your head

To help you plan your 1 English lesson on: Sequencing events in a recount, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...