Retelling a Short Story (Somebody–Wanted–But–So–Then)
Question:
Listen to the story. Identify the Somebody, Wanted, But, So, Then.
Story:
Liam was a boy who loved playing soccer after school. Every day, he practiced kicking the ball in his backyard. One afternoon, Liam wanted to play in a real soccer game with other kids. However, none of his friends were available that day. Liam felt disappointed but still wanted to practice. So, he set up cones and practiced by himself. Then, his neighbor came outside and asked to join him. They played together until dinner time.
Somebody:
Liam
Wanted:
Liam wanted to play in a real soccer game with other kids.
But:
None of his friends were available to play with him.
So:
He set up cones and practiced soccer by himself.
Then:
His neighbor joined him, and they played together
Question:
You and a partner are given 10 minutes to play a game.
You can choose Connect Four or Uno.
Your partner wants Uno
You want Connect Four
👉 What is one fair decision you could make together?
Correct answer (any ONE acceptable):
Take turns choosing the game
Play one game first and the other after
Vote and agree to follow the result
Set a timer and split the time evenly
Key idea to listen for:
A fair compromise where both people are considered.
Question:
Teacher says:
“My favorite animal is a dog. Dogs like to play outside.”
👉 What is one thing you can say to stay on the same topic?
Correct responses (any ONE acceptable):
“I like dogs too.”
“Dogs like to play outside.”
“My dog plays fetch.”
“Dogs can run fast.”
Key idea to listen for:
Response is about dogs and does not change the topic.
Question:
Listen to the story and retell it in order.
Story:
Ben went to the park with his mom. He wanted to play on the swings. When he got there, all the swings were being used. Ben felt upset and waited nearby. After a few minutes, one swing became free. Ben played until it was time to leave.
Prompt (allowed):
Who was in the story?
Where did it happen?
What was the problem?
Characters: Ben and his mom
Setting: The park
Problem (conflict): All the swings were being used.
Correct sequence (example retell): First, Ben went to the park with his mom and wanted to play on the swings. Next, he saw that all the swings were taken and felt upset. Then, Ben waited until a swing became free. Last, Ben played on the swing until it was time to leave.
Question:
Say the word clearly, then guess.
I am yellow.
I am sour.
I start with /l/.
👉 What am I?
Target word:
lemon 🍋
Question:
Listen carefully and identify the Somebody, Wanted, But, So, Then.
Story:
Emma was working on a science project for school. She wanted to build a model volcano for the class presentation. When she started, she realized she was missing some materials. Emma felt frustrated because the project was due soon. So, she asked her dad for help. Together, they went to the store to buy what she needed. Then, Emma finished the volcano and felt proud of her work.
Answer: Somebody:
Emma
Wanted:
Emma wanted to build a model volcano for her class project.
But:
She was missing some materials and felt frustrated.
So:
She asked her dad for help and went to the store to buy supplies.
Then:
Emma finished the volcano and felt proud of her work.
Question:
You and two classmates are building something with blocks.
One person wants to build a tower
One wants to build a bridge
One wants to build a house
👉 What is one way the group can make a decision so everyone feels included?
Follow-up prompt (optional):
Why is that a good choice?
Correct answer (example):
The group can talk about each idea and decide together, such as:
Assigning different parts (tower, bridge, house) in one structure
Voting on which build to do
Taking turns building different designs
Why this is a good choice:
Everyone’s idea is heard
The group works together
No one is left out
Key idea to listen for:
Inclusion + shared decision-making
Question:
Teacher says:
“I like to eat pizza after school.”
👉 Give two responses that:
Stay on topic
Sound like a real conversation
Example correct responses:
Student response 1:
“I like pizza too.”
Student response 2:
“I eat it after school sometimes.”
Other acceptable variations:
Comment → related detail
Comment → related question
Key idea to listen for:
Both responses are about pizza or eating after school
Student maintains the topic for 2 conversational turns
Question:
Retell the story using correct order and details.
Story:
Sofia was getting ready for school in the morning. She could not find her backpack anywhere. She looked in her room and in the kitchen. Sofia started to feel worried because the bus was coming soon. Her brother noticed and helped her look. They found the backpack by the front door. Sofia grabbed it and made it to the bus on time.
Characters: Sofia and her brother
Setting: Sofia’s house in the morning before school
Problem (conflict): Sofia could not find her backpack and the bus was coming.
Correct sequence (example retell): First, Sofia was getting ready for school and could not find her backpack. Next, she looked in her room and the kitchen and started to worry. Then, her brother helped her look and they found the backpack by the front door. Last, Sofia grabbed her backpack and made it to the bus on time.
Question:
Say the word clearly, then guess.
I am round.
I roll on the ground.
Kids play with me outside sometimes.
I start with /r/.
👉 What am I?
Target word:
rock / roller / ring
Question:
Identify the Somebody, Wanted, But, So, Then from the story.
Story:
Marcus enjoyed reading graphic novels during free time at school. One day, he wanted to read his favorite book quietly at his desk. But the classroom was noisy because other students were talking. Marcus tried to ignore the noise, but it was hard to focus. So, he asked the teacher if he could move to a quieter area. The teacher agreed and helped him find a spot. Then, Marcus was able to finish his book calmly.
Somebody:
Marcus
Wanted:
Marcus wanted to read his favorite book quietly at his desk.
But:
The classroom was noisy and made it hard to focus.
So:
He asked the teacher if he could move to a quieter area.
Then:
Marcus finished reading his book calmly.
Question:
Your group has to make a poster together.
One student wants to draw pictures
One student wants to write words
One student wants to color
But time is limited.
👉 What should the group do to finish the poster successfully?
Correct solution (example):
Assign roles (one draws, one writes, one colors)
Set a time limit for each task
Combine pictures, words, and color into one poster
Key idea to listen for:
Problem is identified
A clear plan helps the group finish successfully
Question:
Your classmate says:
“I played basketball yesterday and made two baskets.”
👉 What can you say to:
Stay on topic
Keep the conversation going for two turns?
Example correct responses:
Response 1 (comment):
“That’s cool. Basketball is fun.”
Response 2 (question or follow-up):
“Was it during a game or practice?”
Other acceptable variations:
Comment + question
Comment + related experience
Key idea to listen for:
Responses stay on basketball
Conversation continues for two exchanges
Question:
Retell the story in a logical sequence.
Story:
Ethan was working on a puzzle during indoor recess. He wanted to finish it before recess ended. Some of the pieces were missing from the box. Ethan felt frustrated and stopped working for a moment. He asked a classmate for help. Together, they found the missing pieces under the table. Ethan finished the puzzle before recess was over.
Expectation:
Clear beginning → middle → end
Conflict explained clearly
Characters: Ethan and his classmate
Setting: The classroom during indoor recess
Problem (conflict): Some puzzle pieces were missing.
Correct sequence (example retell): First, Ethan was working on a puzzle and wanted to finish it before recess ended. Next, he realized some pieces were missing and felt frustrated. Then, he asked a classmate for help and they found the pieces under the table. Last, Ethan finished the puzzle before recess was over.
Question:
Say the word clearly, then guess.
I am an animal.
I live on a farm.
I say “baaaaa.”
I start with /l/.
👉 What am I?
Target word:
lamb 🐑
Question:
Listen to the story and explain each part of Somebody–Wanted–But–So–Then using complete sentences.
Story:
Ava was part of a group working on a poster for a class project. She wanted the group to finish the poster neatly and on time. But everyone had different ideas about what the poster should look like. Ava started to feel worried that the group would not agree. So, she suggested that each person share one idea and vote on the best ones. The group listened and worked together more calmly. They chose the ideas they liked most. Then, the group finished the poster and felt successful.
Somebody:
Ava
Wanted:
Ava wanted her group to finish the poster neatly and on time.
But:
Everyone had different ideas, and the group did not agree.
So:
Ava suggested sharing ideas and voting on the best ones.
Then:
The group worked together and finished the poster successfully.
Question:
You and a partner are planning a class presentation.
You want to use slides
Your partner wants to use a poster
The teacher says you must choose one format
👉 How can you work together to make a decision and keep the presentation strong?
Prompt students to explain:
What compromise or strategy did you use?
How did you decide?
The partners can discuss the strengths of slides and posters and decide together by:
Voting
Choosing the option that fits the project best
Agreeing to support the final choice even if it’s not their favorite
Strategy used:
Listening
Compromising
Making a joint decision
Key idea to listen for:
Respectful negotiation + agreement
Question:
Your classmate says:
“I’m excited for our field trip to the zoo.”
Another student interrupts and says:
“I don’t like school.”
👉 What should you say to:
Stay on the original topic
Keep the conversation going for two exchanges?
Correct response (example):
Response 1:
“The zoo trip sounds really fun.”
Response 2:
“I’m excited to see the animals.”
Why this is correct:
Ignores unrelated comment (“I don’t like school”)
Redirects back to field trip / zoo topic
Key idea to listen for:
Student does not respond to the distraction
Maintains original topic for 2 turns
Question:
Retell the story using full sentences and correct order.
Story:
Lily and her friend Maya were working on a class assignment. They were supposed to build a small model together. Lily wanted to start building right away, but Maya wanted to plan first. They began to argue and stopped working. After a moment, Lily suggested they talk about their ideas. Maya agreed and shared her plan. They combined both ideas and finished the model before class ended.
Prompt (optional):
What caused the problem?
How was it solved?
Characters: Lily and Maya
Setting: The classroom during a class assignment
Problem (conflict): Lily and Maya disagreed about how to start the project.
Solution: They talked about their ideas and combined them.
Correct sequence (example retell): First, Lily and Maya were working on a class project together.Next, Lily wanted to start building, but Maya wanted to plan, and they argued. Then, Lily suggested talking about their ideas, and Maya shared her plan. Last, they combined their ideas and finished the model before class ended.
Question:
Say the phrase clearly, then guess.
I am something you see in the sky.
I come out at night.
The phrase includes /l/.
👉 What am I?
Target phrase:
“bright moonlight” 🌙
(Cue slow rate + tongue placement)
Question:
Identify and explain Somebody, Wanted, But, So, Then clearly and in order.
Story:
Noah was excited about participating in the school talent show. He wanted to perform a short comedy routine in front of the audience. But when he practiced at home, he kept forgetting his lines. Noah started to feel nervous and thought about quitting. He knew he still wanted to be part of the show. So, he practiced a little each night and asked his family to listen. They gave him helpful feedback and encouragement. Noah became more confident with each practice. Then, he performed at the talent show and completed his routine successfully.
Somebody:
Noah
Wanted:
Noah wanted to perform a comedy routine in the school talent show.
But:
He kept forgetting his lines and felt nervous about performing.
So:
He practiced every night and asked his family for feedback.
Then:
Noah performed at the talent show and completed his routine successfully.
Question:
Your group has a shared task: planning a classroom reward activity.
Choices include:
Extra recess
A game day
A movie afternoon
The group cannot agree, and people start talking over each other.
👉 What steps should the group take to:
Solve the disagreement
Make a fair decision
Complete the task together
Correct answer (steps):
Solve the disagreement:
Pause, stop talking over each other, and listen
Make a fair decision:
Let everyone share ideas, then vote or combine ideas
Complete the task together:
Agree to respect the final choice and work as a team
Key idea to listen for:
Calm communication
Fair process
Commitment to the group decision
Question:
Your classmate says:
“Group projects are hard because everyone has different ideas.”
👉 Respond with two exchanges that:
Stay on topic
Show you are listening
Add meaning to the conversation
Example correct responses:
Response 1 (acknowledgment):
“That makes sense. Everyone has different ideas.”
Response 2 (relevant follow-up):
“Sometimes talking it out helps the group agree.”
Other acceptable variations:
Agreement + solution
Agreement + related question
Key idea to listen for:
Student shows listening
Adds meaning without changing topic
Maintains two connected exchanges
Question:
Retell the story clearly, including characters, setting, and conflict.
Story:
During art class, Jordan was painting a picture for a school display. He wanted his painting to look neat and colorful. When he accidentally spilled water on the paper, the paint began to run. Jordan felt upset and thought the picture was ruined. He asked the teacher what to do. The teacher showed him how to turn the mistake into a background design. Jordan continued painting and added new details. By the end of class, he was proud of his artwork.
Expectation:
Logical sequencing
Clear conflict and resolution
Characters: Jordan and the teacher
Setting: Art class at school
Problem (conflict): Jordan spilled water on his painting and thought it was ruined.
Solution: The teacher showed him how to turn the mistake into a background design.
Correct sequence (example retell):
First, Jordan was painting during art class and wanted his picture to look neat and colorful.
Next, he spilled water on the paper, and the paint began to run, making him upset.
Then, he asked the teacher for help and learned how to turn the mistake into a design.
Last, Jordan continued painting, added details, and felt proud of his artwork.
Question:
Say the phrase clearly, then guess(3 words).
I move fast.
I have wheels.
People ride me at an amusement park.
The phrase includes /r/.
👉 What am I?
Target phrase:
“roller coaster ride” 🎢