Proficient readers are fluent at decoding and comprehend what is read. Reading comprehension can be nurtured long before a child begins to read on her own.
Rainbow retelling is a fun way to work on one of the basic blocks of comprehension- retelling a story. This activity can be done with a story that a child has listened to or one that child has read on her own.
Reading Comprehension Activity
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Making the Rainbow Retelling Bracelet
Materials needed for 1 bracelet: string or plastic lacing and 6 stringing beads (red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple)
1. Measure a piece of string for the correct size to fit on the child’s wrist.
2. String the beads by placing the colors in this order: red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple.
3. Tie the string ends together with a knot.
The retelling bracelet is ready to wear and use.
Using the Rainbow Retelling Bracelet
Time to work on reading comprehension using the rainbow retelling bracelet.
Watch this video to see how it works or read the directions below.
Tell the child that she will slide one bead over at a time beginning with red to help retell the story she just listened to or read on her own.
Review the following stem prompts with the child and model a retelling of a familiar story such as The Three Little Pigs. I’ve included a handy sheet of the prompts that you can print and have to reference.
Rainbow Retelling Stem Prompts
Red- Ready to hear a retelling of the story? The characters in the story are…
Orange- On to where this story took place…
Yellow- You have to hear the problem in the story…
Green- Get ready for a few more details…
Blue- Better start bringing it to a close and telling you how the problem was solved…
Purple- Picking my favorite party is easy, it was when…
Next, let the child try a retelling with your assistance. With practice, your child will begin to retell a story on her own!
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Modeling Reading Comprehension Skills
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Dee says
You are so clever. Thanks.
Steph @MisplacedBrit says
Great tips for a structured comprehension activity. I’m going to have to print this one out though …It’s going to take me a little practice to remember what those colours stood for 🙂
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Jill says
This is a great idea for a craft and reading activity!
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TheBoyandMe says
What a lovely craft and literacy activity. Anything to engage them!
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Catherine @ Story Snug says
This is such a great idea – have pinned 🙂
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Literate For Life (Pamela Hall) says
Ingenious. 🙂 Great idea. You’ve inspired me, Jodie. 🙂 Thank you.
angie says
great idea great teaching tool in itself
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susan berkowitz says
Jodie, I’ve been doing a series of posts on narratives. I’d love to post a link to this post if that’s ok with you. You can see them at http://kidzlearnlanguage.com
Jodie Rodriguez says
Absolutely Susan, thank you so much!