Sequencing events

Sequencing means putting events in the order they happen. In a story, think about what happens at the beginning, in the middle and at the end. In instructions, think about which step you must do before the next one is possible.

Key facts

  • Look for clues to time: ⟦first⟧, ⟦next⟧, ⟦then⟧, ⟦after that⟧, ⟦later⟧, ⟦finally⟧, ⟦the next day⟧.
  • Ask what must happen before something else can: you must plant a seed before it can grow.
  • In a story, the problem usually comes in the middle and is solved near the end.
  • In instructions, each step usually starts with a verb: ⟦Fill⟧, ⟦Boil⟧, ⟦Pour⟧.
  • When you have put events in order, read them through to check that they make sense.

Worked examples

Example 1

Put in order: A ⟦The chick came out.⟧ B ⟦Hana found an egg.⟧ C ⟦The egg cracked.⟧

  1. Hana must find the egg before anything else happens: B.
  2. The egg must crack before the chick can come out: C, then A.

Answer: ⟦B C A⟧

Example 2

Read: ⟦Fill the kettle. Boil the water. Pour the water onto the tea bag.⟧ What happens straight after the water boils?

  1. Find ⟦Boil the water.⟧ in the text.
  2. The next step is ⟦Pour the water onto the tea bag.⟧

Answer: ⟦Pour the water onto the tea bag.⟧

Example 3

Which word fits? ⟦___, a little flower grew.⟧ (the last event of the story)

  1. The flower growing is the last thing that happens.
  2. ⟦Finally⟧ shows the end: ⟦Finally, a little flower grew.⟧

Answer: ⟦Finally⟧