Using Sequencing As A Reading Strategy

Once students have become skilled at using strategies to break down text into manageable sections, they will need guidance to help process the information. When students read, they can use reading strategies, such as sequencing. Sequencing is the process of putting story events in the order in which they occurred. Teachers may recognize this concept as “order of events”. This skill can help students begin to understand how the events in a story are organized, and the importance that order has on a text.

Students might be asked to identify important events from a passage to practice sequencing. Often worksheets targeting the use of this strategy appear in a graphic organizer that has one event missing. Students can be asked to identify the paragraphs each event can be found in by writing the number of the paragraph next to each box. In this way, students can easily identify which event is missing.

When encountering questions on a standardized assessment, reading skills, such as sequencing, can help students choose the correct answer choice. As students progress through the intermediate grades, sequencing may not be something that is explicitly taught, but it is still important. Learning how to sequence assists students in forming correct ideas about the text they are reading no matter what grade level they are in. The lesson plans below help teach sequencing.  

Sequencing Lesson Plans:

Identifying Sequence of Events Using Dr. Seuss's Bartholomew and the Oobleck:  This lesson plan uses a Dr. Seuss story to assist students in practicing sequencing events from a story. Includes other activities which are also intended to provide sequencing practice.

Pictures Tell A Story: A Lesson in Sequencing: This lesson plan encourages students to illustrate the sequencing of events in a story through pictures that the students draw.

May I Take Your Order, Please?: In this lesson, students will participate in a variety activities that will help to build their sequencing skills.

Sequencing The Mitten: This lesson was written for students in kindergarten through second. It uses literature to provide a hands-on lesson for practicing choosing the important events of a story fom beginning to end.

The Process of Sequencing - A Picture Card Game Activity: This interdisciplinary lesson uses a card game that begins with students practicing visual sequencing and gradually moves toward higher processing and use of the sequencing skill.