Retelling is a foundational reading skill. It involves identifying the important parts of the story in order, including characters, setting, problem and solution. Retelling develops sequencing skills, print concepts, descriptive vocabulary, thinking skills, and visualisation techniques.

There are a couple of retelling strategies most teachers use:
1. Using the transitional words first, then, next, after that and finally/lastly. These words help students focus on the order of events.
2. Story maps help students focus on the most important story elements, including determining the principal characters, setting and the key problem and solution events.

Students need a lot of practice when retelling a story. It is important to model retelling strategies with your read-aloud sessions before your students have a go independently.