Sequence of Events

It is important to know the order or sequence that events take place in a story. It helps you understand what you read.

Go to the next page to learn how to figure out the sequence or order of a story.

Look for signal words like first, next, last, before, after and finally to help you figure out the sequence. You can also use other word clues in the text or your own knowledge, “What I know clues,” to find the sequence.

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The Gainesville City Zoo just received its first three animals. The first animal it received was a deer. The second animal it received was a monkey. The third animal it received was a lion. Children in Gainesville are excited about the opening of the zoo! Click on the box and fill in the number that tells what order the animals arrived at the zoo.

Great job! Now try this.
Susan made a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. First, she spread peanut butter on one slice of bread. Next, she spread jelly on one slice of bread. After spreading the jelly on, she put the two slices of bread together. Finally, she ate it. It was delicious!

Click on the arrow to select
the order she used to
make the sandwich.

	Next, she spread jelly on one slice of bread.
	Finally, she ate it.
	After spreading the jelly on, she put the two slices of bread together.
	First, she spread peanut butter on one slice of bread.

Let’s try one more! Bill wants to tell a friend what he does in the morning before going to school. First, I get out of bed. Next, I get dressed. Then, I eat breakfast. After breakfast, I brush my teeth and make my lunch. Finally, I get on the bus and go to school. Put Bill’s morning in order.

	Finally, I get on the bus and go to school.
	After breakfast, I brush my teeth and make my lunch.
	Then, I eat breakfast.
	Next, I get dressed.
	First, I get out of bed.

Now that you can place things in sequence, use those sequence words and write a paragraph to describe what steps you would take to brush your teeth.

Here is how I brush my teeth. First,

You did a terrific job!

Now you are ready to do a special activity back at your desk. Use a variety of colors of construction paper to make your favorite sandwich.

First, draw and cut out the bread or rolls you like best. Next, draw and cut out the things you like to put on your sandwich (example: turkey, lettuce, tomato). White or yellow paper can be used for mayonnaise. Then, glue your sandwich together. Finally, write down the directions for making your sandwich. Remember to use signal words. This would be a fun activity to do at home or school making a real sandwich. Have fun!