The Rainy Day Zoo: story order

The Rainy Day Zoo: story order

Read the story first. Cut out with adult help, mix the six cards and put them in story order. Pictures or an oral retelling are welcome.

1. Rain and thunder stop the zoo trip.
2. The child builds an imaginary zoo.
3. The child is excited about zoo day.
4. The rain stops; Mum offers a zoo trip.
5. The child is disappointed with the rainy-day box.
6. The child chooses the homemade zoo.

Retell the rainy day

Point to your cards and retell the story with a partner.

1. First - draw, say or write your response.
2. Next - draw, say or write your response.
3. Then - draw, say or write your response.
4. Finally - draw, say or write your response.

Draw the moment when disappointment changes into an idea.

A picture clue for my order ...

Teacher notes Story order

Purpose and preparation

15 minutes after a read-aloud. An adult prepares the cards if cutting is unsuitable.

Suggested responses

1. Correct order: excited about zoo day; rain and thunder; disappointment with the box; imaginary zoo; rain stops and Mum offers the trip; child chooses the homemade zoo.
2. The book transforms a disappointing day through imaginative play; it does not say real zoo animals came into the house.
3. Accept an oral retelling and locate picture evidence rather than testing handwriting.

Support and stretch

Read aloud; invite pointing, drawings or dictation. Extend by asking for a page or picture clue.

Teaching links

Suggested England English: discussing reading and explaining ideas. US literacy links apply only to the stated school age group, not automatically to babies. Adapt to the learner; these materials are not an accredited curriculum.