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Home » Kindergarten Teaching Ideas

Retell Literacy Center: 20 Famous Story Retelling Ideas and Printables

By Leslie Simpson · About 6 minutes to read this article.

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My literacy centers are a core part of our kindergarten schedule. They are active literacy centers that keep us on our toes and working so that I can work with small groups.

Today, let me share my kindergarten retell literacy center directions, expectations and a list of the 20 stories that make up this year-long center in our classroom.

Most of the stories that I place into the retell literacy center are pretty famous (or at least well known within the world of kindergarten teachers) but there may be one or two new stories for you! It's all about how I've added found and hand-made items (many for super cheap or free) to bring these stories alive.

I'm going to be honest with you - this literacy center is the one I enjoy "spying" on the most while I'm reading with my guided reading groups.

I strain from halfway across the room to hear the book language my kinders are using and to listen to the biggest billy goat gruff say, "Well come along! I've got two hard horns and four hard hooves. See what you can do!" {wink}

Students retell the story by using their own recall or by attempting to read well-loved books.

20 famous story retelling ideas and printables - kindergarten retell literacy center

The best props

What materials does it take? Anything you can find!

I've made lots of my "props," but many of them came from scanning pictures in a book, finding freebies in the FREE box at garage sales, and the Dollar Tree.

Any left over beanie babies? You may just have a few characters you need for Polar Bear, Polar Bear...

Click any picture to read more about the book, get printables and instructions on how to make it yourself!

  • Brown Bear, Brown Bear
  • There Was An Old Lady
  • Polar Bear, Polar Bear
  • The Gingerbread Man
  • The Doorbell Rang
  • Cookie's Week
  • Goldilocks and the 3 Bears
  • Fresh Fall Leaves
  • The Little Red Hen
  • Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
  • Swimmy
  • Red Riding Hood
  • The Very Quiet Cricket
  • The Very Hungry Caterpillar
  • The Three Little Pigs
  • The Three Billy Goats Gruff
  • The Fat Cat
  • Peanut Butter and JElly
  • Hansel and Gretel
  • Cinderella
  • Big Pumpkin

How to makeit successful

How do my kinders know these books so well that they can retell them independently? I understand that to avoid frustration with kinders - they must know what to do and be very familiar with it before they can and will do it independently.

It's not boring to them, they love it when its familiar and they know how to do it on their own. {It's the same reason they can watch the same movie over and over and over.}

We read the book until they are familiar with it and can almost repeat it word for word. {Ser.ious.ly.}

KindergartenWorks: 20 famous story retelling ideas and printables - kindergarten retell literacy center

The first time is always just for read aloud pleasure, then the work begins dissecting the book.

Each literacy center in my classroom has a poster which dictates what their activity options are. In this particular retell center - it is simple... they only get one option.

I like to offer choice wherever I can in centers - so in this instance, choice comes into play with what book(s) they choose.

KindergartenWorks: 20 famous story retelling ideas and printables - kindergarten retell literacy center

Retell Literacy Center Directions and Standards Poster

While this center does meet CC standards, I often see lots of cooperative learning and social skill building going on here too... which is a bonus!

They'd rather retell with more kinders than less to share the parts. It's pretty great.

How to set up this literacy center

Read Aloud and Rehearse

Having laid that out, I want you to know that we will generally read the story aloud at least four times before ever releasing it into this center. We retell it as a class on the last reading (giving them a chance to see the retell prop materials in action).

Keep the set up simple

  • Choose a bucket/bin they can put all of the pieces into - including the book and props. I really like using Dollar Store bins for this center but did use book baskets as well over the years.
  • Use a velcro label on the front is perfect to switch out the materials and a picture of the book so everything gets returned to the right bucket.
  • Grab a couple of blankets to create a floor mat, stage or cozy retelling space.
  • Have a copy of the book that is just for this center (if you can). It will get lots of love and need replacing in a few years, but the price in value is golden.
KindergartenWorks: 20 famous story retelling ideas and printables - kindergarten retell literacy center

Keep it fresh all year long

To keep it fresh all year long, I simply change out the books as we learn more and then throw in some favorite older ones. We normally have 4-5 out at the center during the school year. Here is a list of the famous 20 books in our classroom.

Famous kindergarten books to retell

  • Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
  • Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
  • The Very Hungry Caterpillar
  • Fresh Fall Leaves
  • Big Pumpkin
  • Cinderella
  • There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly
  • The Little Red Hen
  • The Very Quiet Cricket
  • Red Riding Hood
  • Peanut Butter and Jelly
  • Hansel and Gretel
  • The Gingerbread Man
  • Goldilocks and the Three Bears
  • Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear?
  • The Three Billy Goats Gruff
  • The Fat Cat
  • Cookie's Week
  • The Doorbell Rang
  • The Three Little Pigs
  • Swimmy

It makes me laugh at the end of the year when I put in one or two of the first books we ever did and they're like, "I don't really remember the words to this one."

All it takes is me saying, "Have you tried reading the words to see if you can do it on your own?" They beam because by this point they aren't just "remembering" the words like they were at the beginning of the year - they are reading!

Retell literacy center standards

This literacy center is all about developing a love of books by playing out the parts, recalling text, and every part of a story. Know those Common Core standards that are all about the parts of a story?

  • K.RL.1 - With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about key details in a text.
  • K.RL.2 - With prompting and support, retell familiar stories, including key details.
  • K.RL.3 - With prompting and support, identify characters, setting and major events in a story.

Well, this center is fondly known to me as the center where books come alive, I see my students recreating the book's setting, becoming the characters {oh, and they won't leave out a single one} and living out the major events and key details.

With a few props and a lot of imagination, this center is always a favorite!

I hope with this collection of resources, you too can have a fantastic year-long literacy center and enjoy "spying" on your kinders as they are learning in their own retell-imagination bubble.

If you like what I do here on KindergartenWorks, subscribe today. I look forward to sharing ideas with you weekly!

How to create smart year long literacy centers kindergarten

More literacy centers

  • How to Create Smart Literacy Centers that Last All Year
  • Detective Literacy Center – read and write the room
  • Kindergarten Literacy Centers {Details, Workboard, Routine}
  • Library Literacy Center - it's so easy!
Retell Literacy Center: 20 Famous Story Retelling Ideas and Printables
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About Leslie Simpson

Leslie is the teacher behind KindergartenWorks. She believes in teaching kinders how to be pretty incredible along with teaching them to read, write and think for themselves. She enjoys drinking hot tea, making mud pies with her three kids and sharing what she's learned with teachers.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. sheila says

    October 27, 2022 at 9:42 am

    What a wonderful idea. I love this

    Reply
  2. Suzie says

    September 08, 2022 at 6:39 pm

    I LOVE this post. Thanks for the resources.

    Reply
  3. Eileen says

    February 18, 2017 at 11:29 am

    Could you please explain the directions given to the students regarding their work in the retelling center. Are they working together to produce a group retelling? If so, how do they decide on rolls, jobs etc? (I could see some problems here because everyone will want to work with the"fun" prop! I know you have a solution for that problem!)
    Or, are they working individually on their own retelling ? Who is the audience? Do the children takes turns in that role?

    Reply
    • Leslie @KindergartenWorks says

      February 21, 2017 at 9:41 am

      Hi Eileen,
      The directions are pretty basic. I don't dictate how they have to retell and if they have to do it as a group. We model performing for an audience (the rest of the class) when we do it together before releasing it into the center. Normally they are very good about choosing on their own what they'd like to do. It's part of the cooperative learning process as they talk about what stories they want to retell, which parts they want to play and how they set it all up. If everyone wants a turn with a certain prop, then they could potentially retell it a few times taking turns. I actually didn't have that problem more than a handful of times over 10 years. I encouraged them to talk out a solution. They can perform for each other, but most often in my small groups of 3 I saw 1 be the narrator/reader and the other 2 take turns using the objects to tell the story. Then they'd get another story and repeat but often switching up the roles.
      I hope that can help!
      - Leslie

      Reply
  4. Jessica Cooper says

    August 25, 2016 at 12:57 pm

    I noticed in your descriptiuon you mentioned what time of year you read each book. Would you mind listing them in order from beginning of the year to end of the year? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Leslie @KindergartenWorks says

      August 25, 2016 at 8:41 pm

      I'll have to consider that as a post idea - thanks!

      Reply
  5. Olivia_Buttcheeks says

    November 14, 2015 at 9:56 am

    You are a great and beautiful person, Leslie! Thank you for sharing these to us. May you and your be blessed bountiful. You are giving enormous help to a lot of parents and teachers 😀

    Reply
  6. Priscilla Flynn says

    September 20, 2014 at 5:03 pm

    If you want to take this a step further, have your children draw a picture or take pics of the retelling each part and make a simple class book. Add a class list with a space for comments next to each name, bind, and let the children take turns taking it home to share and re read to their families. I just did this with Mary Wore Her Red Dress.

    Reply
    • Leslie @KindergartenWorks says

      September 21, 2014 at 8:42 pm

      Clever Priscilla! I can definitely see tying more literacy into every story! We love to retell most of these through some typed of shared or interactive writing piece which allows me to bring in the conventions of writing too. Thanks for sharing your tips!
      - Leslie

      Reply
  7. Jessika says

    March 29, 2014 at 7:47 pm

    Hey there! I love your "There was an old lady..." story props. Would you by any chance have the Simms Taback version available to download? Thanks! 🙂

    Reply
    • Leslie @KindergartenWorks says

      March 29, 2014 at 11:28 pm

      Hi Jessika,
      Thanks for asking - I have digitized only 3 of the animals so far. I'll keep working on them! Check back as I'll make them available when they're complete.
      - Leslie

      Reply
  8. Mor Zrihen says

    September 08, 2013 at 12:07 am

    I LOVE this post Leslie!!! I was looking up literacy activities for little ones and your post popped up to my surprise 🙂 Will be using this post for our future Baby Book Club meetups <3 xoxo Mor

    Reply
    • Leslie @KindergartenWorks says

      September 08, 2013 at 12:18 pm

      Thanks Mor! Glad to hear about your new permanent position 😉 Awesome stuff!
      -Leslie

      Reply
  9. Gwyn says

    July 01, 2013 at 7:30 pm

    Leslie, I posted some free printables also to go with books, the last one I made was "Cookie Week" please stop by and take a look my blog is http://owensfamily-gwyn.blogspot.com. I love using books and making props. Gwyn

    Reply
    • Leslie @KindergartenWorks says

      July 02, 2013 at 1:35 pm

      Thanks Gwyn for letting me know - I can add a link to your printable for my readers! I'd also invite you to share any of your free printable ideas on TeachJunkie.com!
      - Leslie

      Reply
  10. Kim says

    June 17, 2013 at 10:29 am

    All of your retell posts are getting me enthused to add another work station option for my kinder kiddos! Thanks for all the sharing!!!!!

    Kim

    Carried Away in...K!

    Reply
    • Leslie @KindergartenWorks says

      June 17, 2013 at 1:48 pm

      Thanks Kim!

      Reply
  11. jaime says

    June 04, 2013 at 3:43 am

    Where did you find the printouts for the very hungry caterpillar (the ones with holes in the fruit) and the old lady with the hole in her stomach? Those are wonderful!

    Reply
    • Leslie @KindergartenWorks says

      June 04, 2013 at 5:07 pm

      Hi Jaime,

      I made the old lady ones from looking at the book - they are just drawn with marker. I can't find the exact printables that I have pictured, but these are good ones!

      http://www.kizclub.com/storypatterns/caterpillar.pdf

      Reply
  12. Gayle Lipson says

    August 19, 2012 at 1:29 pm

    Great ideas for retelling! I love that your ideas are so simple to implement. Thanks!

    Reply
  13. Msturkie says

    August 02, 2012 at 6:08 pm

    I love your blog and the resources you have and supply! Great job!

    Reply
  14. kimberly says

    May 14, 2012 at 9:19 pm

    i also have just discovered sheets of magnetic paper you can print right onto....all kinds of possiblities

    Reply
    • Leslie @KindergartenWorks says

      May 14, 2012 at 10:28 pm

      Clever Kimberly! Thanks for sharing. I'll have to keep my eyes out. Where did you happen to find it!?

      Reply
  15. Alyssa says

    April 11, 2012 at 9:48 am

    Thanks so much for these great ideas and awesome links!

    Reply
  16. kimberly says

    January 21, 2012 at 10:25 pm

    do you know of the web site http://www.kizclub.com ? it has all kinds of books that you can print out the "flannel board" pieces for. I print them right onto "milk filters" the kind that you buy from farm supply stores for milking machines and cut to fit your printer....

    Reply
  17. Rogjok says

    January 12, 2012 at 9:07 am

    Check out this link. http://makinglearningfun.com/themepages/BookPrintables.htm
    There are GOBS of things. There are goodies for over 85 children's book.

    Reply
  18. Susiedawn88 says

    October 14, 2011 at 11:05 pm

    Love your ideas! Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
  19. Tangeliacannon says

    July 12, 2011 at 10:08 am

    Wow! Thank you so much for this awesome post and all of the ideas at the bottom!!

    Reply
  20. Nicole G. says

    July 11, 2011 at 7:35 pm

    I love this idea for a center!!! I usually just put the flannel board story pieces with the flannel board. Your ideas will be something that they will enjoy!

    Reply
  21. Leslie @KindergartenWorks says

    July 10, 2011 at 11:16 pm

    I have always loved this center in your classroom. I'm going to have to print some of these to do a retell center this year. I am not nearly as good at finding these props. I love this blog post, too!

    Reply
  22. Leslie @KindergartenWorks says

    July 10, 2011 at 11:16 pm

    Thanks for the great literacy ideas!! Your blog is wonderful! 🙂

    Reply
  23. Leslie @KindergartenWorks says

    July 10, 2011 at 11:16 pm

    What excitement you all have to share in your voices! Thanks for sharing your feedback! Jennie, most items that are literacy center materials have been updated to have the common core standards (like on the posters). Thanks for asking!

    I tried to touch base with stayandplay mama - hopefully her amazing items will be back up soon!

    Reply
  24. Leslie @KindergartenWorks says

    July 07, 2011 at 4:49 pm

    What excitement you all have to share in your voices! Thanks for sharing your feedback! Jennie, most items that are literacy center materials have been updated to have the common core standards (like on the posters). Thanks for asking!

    I tried to touch base with stayandplay mama - hopefully her amazing items will be back up soon!

    Reply
  25. Megan says

    July 02, 2011 at 4:53 pm

    Fantastic post. You have inspired me to create this center for next year.
    I, too, and having trouble getting to the Stay and Play mama website. I've been there many times in the past, but today it says I need to be invited. Any ideas, anyone?

    Reply
  26. Hamilton's Blog says

    July 02, 2011 at 4:43 pm

    I LOVE this post...i need to "re-think" and "re-do" this center for my kinders next year. One thing...for some reason i can not open the links on the "Stay and Play Mama" blogspot...am I doing something wrong?
    As always, your things are awesome! One other quick question...have you changed all of your wonderful things to match "Common Core" standards. I have purchased a lot of your things before the common core was put in place...no big deal either way...just a question!
    Thanks again for everything you do!
    Jennie in Southern Indiana

    Reply
  27. Thomas Family says

    July 01, 2011 at 6:56 pm

    Love Love Love this. Our retell center is so boaring compared to this. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  28. Cindy says

    July 01, 2011 at 12:02 am

    Wonderful! Love these ideas! Thanks!

    Reply
  29. Katie Mense says

    June 30, 2011 at 10:57 pm

    OMG!!! This is AWESOME!!! It's GREAT to have all of the resources right here in one spot!!! You rock!=) Thanks so much for doing this!
    Little Warriors

    Reply
  30. Melissa says

    June 30, 2011 at 2:33 pm

    Love the literacy ideas! I think I will borrow some. Great job!

    Reply
  31. Mrs. Steinhauer says

    June 29, 2011 at 6:52 pm

    Thanks for the great literacy ideas!! Your blog is wonderful! 🙂

    Reply
  32. Mrs. Steinhauer says

    June 29, 2011 at 6:49 pm

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    Reply
  33. Ashley says

    June 29, 2011 at 12:53 am

    I am new to blogging and can not believe all the goodness I've been missing. I don't know how I'm going to catch up or take in all these great ideas. I found you through the birthday giveaway. I definitely am looking forward to checking out all your great ideas!! Thanks
    Ashley

    Reply
  34. Emily says

    June 28, 2011 at 11:18 pm

    I love, love, love that you shared these retelling props! I think it's such a great idea for kinders and even first graders!
    Playground Duty

    Reply
  35. Ali says

    June 28, 2011 at 10:59 pm

    I think your blog is GREAT!! Thanks for participating in the birthday giveaway!!

    Ali

    What happens in kindergarten... lasts a lifetime

    Reply
  36. S. Parker says

    June 28, 2011 at 10:56 pm

    This is such a great way to develop language along with retell. Thanks for sharing with us. I can't wait to see all the links. I purchased many things from Lakeshore but also made a few pieces of my own. I love to just scan pictures from the book, laminate and add felt on the back.

    Reply
  37. Mrs. Lochridge says

    June 28, 2011 at 9:06 pm

    Great post with a multitude of resources. You continue to inspire.

    First Grade Factory

    Reply
  38. Tara says

    June 28, 2011 at 7:48 pm

    Love your blog! New follower:) Found you with Ms. Kindergarten's bday giveaway:)

    4th Grade Frolics

    Reply
  39. Kelly S. says

    June 28, 2011 at 7:07 pm

    Thanks for participating in Ms. Kindergarten's birthday giveaway! I love your blog!

    Reply
  40. Mrs. Johnson says

    June 28, 2011 at 6:19 pm

    Oh my GOODNESS, thank you for sharing this! We always use the book to retell the story, and limited props, but I ADORE your creativity in making homemade props for all of these treasured books! I will be adding this center! AND I'm featuring your post on my blog! Thanks so so MUCH!

    http://www.wildaboutkindergarten.blogspot.com

    Reply
  41. Kindergarten Whale Tales says

    June 28, 2011 at 5:59 pm

    I have always loved this center in your classroom. I'm going to have to print some of these to do a retell center this year. I am not nearly as good at finding these props. I love this blog post, too!

    Reply
  42. laughinbrunette (Jennifer) says

    June 28, 2011 at 5:28 pm

    Love your ideas! I have a station for re-tell...but had never thought about doing Chicka Chicka Boom Boom with magnet letters...duh!? Where have I been? lol
    Thanks for sharing!!
    Jennifer
    First Grade Blue SKies

    Reply
  43. Karen says

    June 28, 2011 at 5:14 pm

    I LOVE that you shared this!! I am in a school where the principal moved from middle school to elementary. He doesn't get kinders at all and I had to fight to get retelling and dramatic play back in my classroom. I love all your ideas of props... one that I wanted to add was letting the children create their own props. I have an end of the day free choice time where one of the choices is "creation station". The kids have several choices of things to make and one is "something that is missing from retelling". In years past I've had kids create "froggy" feet or Author's glasses. It's fun to see what they feel is missing or needed in the center!

    Reply

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