The Whipping Boy - Retell

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SWBAT retell a story in their own words remembering details from the text in sequential order.

Big Idea

Students will learn the similarities and differences between a retell and a summary. They will craft a retell from what they have read so far in "the Whipping Boy" by Sid Fleischman.


Retell vs. Summary

20 minutes

In this unit we have been focusing on comprehension strategies and practicing those strategies as we read the then novel "The Whipping Boy" by said Fleischman. This lesson focuses on the strategy of retell.  To begin this lesson, we will discuss this similarities and differences between a retell and a summary.  The big point I want to get across to the students is that retell is when you tell in your own words the entire story including all details in sequential order. A summary is much more brief than a retell and focuses on the main ideas and not so much on every detail.


To illustrate this point I will retell the story of the three little pigs including as much detail as I can. I will then give a summary of the three little pigs. 


Retell vs. Summary Practice

20 minutes

Now it's time for the students to practice retell versus summary.  I will use which is a GREAT website where actors and actresses read picturebooks for children.  Any of the stories would be fabulous, but for today I chose "Thank You, Mr. Falker" by Patricia Polacco and read by Jane Kaczmarek.  

After the story, the students would get to practice retell and summary with a partner.  They will turn to their neighbor and each will retell what happened in the story. After retelling the story, they will then give a summary of the story.

The Whipping Boy Retell

30 minutes

Now that the students of had a chance to practice retell, we will practice with the novel we've been studying this unit, "The Whipping Boy" by Sid Fleischman.  We will read the chapters nine and ten.  I have had the students read the chapters on their own silently so that they can practice the comprehension skills that we have been studying this unit.  When they are finished reading, they will write a retell of the story of "The Whipping Boy" so far. 


Two close our lesson, I will have some of the students volunteer to share their retell with the rest of the class.