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Story Sequencing Worksheets

25 free PDFsUS Letter or A4Answer key includedNo login

Picture stories to put in order, first, next and last pages, and beginning, middle and end stories to read aloud, with no cutting and an answer key for each.

Download the story sequencing worksheets

3-step picture sequencing

Two short picture stories on each page. Look at the pictures and write 1, 2, 3 to show the order.

4-step picture sequencing

Longer picture stories with four steps, like bedtime, baking a cake and caterpillar to butterfly.

First, next, last

Read a short story aloud, then circle what happened first, next and last.

  • Preview of the printable “First, Next, last story sequencing 1” worksheet: retelling a read-aloud story in order using first, next and lastView all 2 pages

    First, Next, last story sequencing 1

    Retelling a read-aloud story in order using first, next and last

    Answer key on page 2

    US LetterPDFA4PDF

    2 pages275 KB

  • Preview of the printable “First, Next, last story sequencing 2” worksheet: retelling a read-aloud story in order using first, next and lastView all 2 pages

    First, Next, last story sequencing 2

    Retelling a read-aloud story in order using first, next and last

    Answer key on page 2

    US LetterPDFA4PDF

    2 pages463 KB

  • Preview of the printable “First, Next, last story sequencing 3” worksheet: retelling a read-aloud story in order using first, next and lastView all 2 pages

    First, Next, last story sequencing 3

    Retelling a read-aloud story in order using first, next and last

    Answer key on page 2

    US LetterPDFA4PDF

    2 pages368 KB

  • Preview of the printable “First, Next, last story sequencing 4” worksheet: retelling a read-aloud story in order using first, next and lastView all 2 pages

    First, Next, last story sequencing 4

    Retelling a read-aloud story in order using first, next and last

    Answer key on page 2

    US LetterPDFA4PDF

    2 pages51 KB

  • Preview of the printable “First, Next, last story sequencing 5” worksheet: retelling a read-aloud story in order using first, next and lastView all 2 pages

    First, Next, last story sequencing 5

    Retelling a read-aloud story in order using first, next and last

    Answer key on page 2

    US LetterPDFA4PDF

    2 pages271 KB

Beginning, middle, end

Original read-aloud stories with three pictures to number, plus a blank page for any book.

  • Preview of the printable “Beginning, Middle, End: Sam's surprise cake” worksheet: putting the beginning, middle and end of a read-aloud story in orderView all 2 pages

    Beginning, Middle, End: Sam's surprise cake

    Putting the beginning, middle and end of a read-aloud story in order

    Answer key on page 2

    US LetterPDFA4PDF

    2 pages176 KB

  • Preview of the printable “Beginning, Middle, End: fox goes fishing” worksheet: putting the beginning, middle and end of a read-aloud story in orderView all 2 pages

    Beginning, Middle, End: fox goes fishing

    Putting the beginning, middle and end of a read-aloud story in order

    Answer key on page 2

    US LetterPDFA4PDF

    2 pages189 KB

  • Preview of the printable “Beginning, Middle, End: max and the kite” worksheet: putting the beginning, middle and end of a read-aloud story in orderView all 2 pages

    Beginning, Middle, End: max and the kite

    Putting the beginning, middle and end of a read-aloud story in order

    Answer key on page 2

    US LetterPDFA4PDF

    2 pages218 KB

  • Preview of the printable “Beginning, Middle, End: Ava's rainy day” worksheet: putting the beginning, middle and end of a read-aloud story in orderView all 2 pages

    Beginning, Middle, End: Ava's rainy day

    Putting the beginning, middle and end of a read-aloud story in order

    Answer key on page 2

    US LetterPDFA4PDF

    2 pages119 KB

  • Preview of the printable “Beginning, Middle, End: pup needs a bath” worksheet: putting the beginning, middle and end of a read-aloud story in orderView all 2 pages

    Beginning, Middle, End: pup needs a bath

    Putting the beginning, middle and end of a read-aloud story in order

    Answer key on page 2

    US LetterPDFA4PDF

    2 pages184 KB

Draw what happens last and sequencing sentences

Finish a picture story by drawing the ending, or read short sentences and put them in order.

Print at 100% (actual size) for the cleanest tracing lines.

About these story sequencing worksheets

Sequencing is knowing what happened first, what happened next and how it ended. It is one of the first big steps in understanding a story, and it is what children use every time they retell one. These story sequencing worksheets build that skill one step at a time, starting with three pictures and moving up to four.

The picture sequences use everyday events children already know: a seed growing into a flower, an egg hatching into a chick, making a sandwich, building a snowman and getting ready for bed. Children look at the pictures, think about what comes first and write 1, 2, 3 (or 4) in the boxes. There is nothing to cut or glue, so every page works for homework and quick centers.

The first, next, last and beginning, middle and end pages each start with a short, original story for an adult to read aloud. Children listen, then show the order with the pictures. Two pages of short sentences let early readers read the story themselves, and a blank beginning, middle and end page works with any book. Pages with one right answer have an answer key on page 2.

Standards

  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.2With prompting and support, retell familiar stories, including key details.
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.3With prompting and support, identify characters, settings, and major events in a story.
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.7With prompting and support, describe the relationship between illustrations and the story in which they appear (e.g., what moment in a story an illustration depicts).
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.10Actively engage in group reading activities with purpose and understanding.
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.K.4Read emergent-reader texts with purpose and understanding.
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.K.2Confirm understanding of a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media by asking and answering questions about key details and requesting clarification if something is not understood.

How to use them

  1. Start with the 3-step pages. Talk through each picture first: "What is happening here?" Then ask which one happened first.
  2. Have your child tell the whole story out loud using the numbers: "First the seed is planted, next a sprout comes up, last a flower grows."
  3. Move to the 4-step pages when 3 steps feel easy.
  4. For the first, next, last and beginning, middle and end pages, read the story aloud once all the way through before your child looks at the pictures. Read it a second time if they need it.
  5. Use the what happens last pages as a quick check: if the drawing fits the story, your child understood the order.
  6. Use the blank beginning, middle and end page after any read-aloud book, from picture books to class stories.

Teaching tips

  • Model the words first, next, then and last every time you retell something, like the steps of washing hands or a trip to the store.
  • If your child is stuck, cover all but two pictures and ask which of the two came first.
  • Act it out. Children who can show a sequence with their body (plant, grow, bloom) usually number it correctly on paper.
  • Some children number from left to right without looking. Point to each picture and ask, "Could this happen first?"
  • The short captions under each picture are for the adult to read. Children work from the pictures.
  • The sequencing sentence pages use only short sound-it-out words and kindergarten sight words, so a child can read them alone.

Questions teachers and parents ask

What is story sequencing?

Story sequencing means putting the events of a story in the order they happened: first, next and last, or beginning, middle and end. It helps children understand and retell stories.

How many steps should a kindergarten sequence have?

Start with 3 steps. Most kindergarteners can handle 4 steps by the middle of the year, especially when the events are familiar, like getting ready for school.

Do these sequencing worksheets need cutting and gluing?

No. Children write numbers in boxes, circle pictures or draw, so every page works without scissors or glue.

Are the stories original?

Yes. Every read-aloud story on these pages was written for this site, so you can use them freely in class or at home.

Is there an answer key?

Yes. Every page with one right answer has an answer key on page 2 of the PDF. The drawing pages and the blank beginning, middle and end page do not need one.