Worked example
Question: If the three pigs become three penguins but the build-a-home problem stays, it is an adaptation of a familiar story.
Key concept
Learning goal: I can retell or adapt a familiar story while keeping its important plot and character ideas clear.
- Describe a character using details from a familiar story.
- Imitate a character's way of speaking or expressing an attitude.
- Retell key events in order using speaking, drawing, performance or digital tools.
Steps to use
Remember story → Keep main parts → Change/adapt one part → Retell clearly
See it, then try it
Retell keeps the story spine
beginningproblemeventsendingcharacters
Change one part deliberately
new characternew settingsame problemnew ending
Curriculum Coverage & Elaborations
Curriculum Coverage & Elaborations
The content description is the required target. The elaborations below are taught as examples and contexts, not as disconnected checklist wording.
- E1: writing character descriptions
- E2: imitating a characteristic piece of speech or dialogue, or the attitudes or expressions of favourite characters in texts
- E3: retelling key events in stories using oral language, visual arts, digital tools or performance
Common misconceptions
- Random changes — Keep enough familiar structure for the story to make sense.
- Missing ending — A retell needs a clear ending.
- Changes all parts at once — Change one or two parts deliberately.
Try these
- Story spine — Retell a familiar story using five key cards.beginning/problem/events/ending
- Change the setting — Move a familiar story to a new place and tell what changes.forest → beach
- Role-play retell — Act the main events in order.first / next / finally
Explain and apply
Retell in order
Retell: Mia found a seed. Mia planted it. A flower grew. What happened first, second and last?
Answer and teaching guidance
The retell should keep the plot order so listeners recognise the familiar story.
Use characters and plot
If you act as the fox in a story, what words or actions help the audience know who you are?
Answer and teaching guidance
A strong answer uses character behaviour, voice, gesture or a simple prop tied to the plot.
Adapt one part
Change the setting of a familiar story while keeping the main character and problem.
Answer and teaching guidance
The adaptation should change one clear feature while preserving enough structure to remain recognisable.
Compare versions
Complete: In the original story ____. In my adapted story ____.
Answer and teaching guidance
The comparison shows what stayed the same and what changed in the retell or adaptation.
Check your understanding
Quick checks
- What is a retell?
- What can be changed in an adaptation?
- Name one story character.
- Why keep plot order?
I am ready when I can
- I can describe a character using details from a familiar story.
- I can imitate a character's way of speaking or expressing an attitude.
- I can retell key events in order using speaking, drawing, performance or digital tools.
Curriculum equivalents: Victoria, NSW and international
Curriculum equivalents for Retell or adapt a familiar story using plot and characters...
Mapped skill: orally retell or adapt a familiar story using plot and characters, language features including vocabulary, and structure of a familiar text, through role-play, writing, drawing or digital tools
These references identify matching or closely related learning. Curriculum sequence, terminology and depth vary, so teachers should use the mapped skill and lesson difficulty to confirm suitability.
| Region | Curriculum framework | Closest level or code |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | Australian Curriculum v9.0 | AC9E1LE05 · Year 1 |
| Victoria | Victorian Curriculum F–10 Version 2.0 — English | VC2E1LE05 · Level 1 |
| New South Wales | NSW English K–10 Syllabus (2022) | EN1-UARL-01 · Stage 1 |
| United States (USA) | Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts | Grade 1 |
| Canada (Ontario) | Ontario Curriculum — English | Grade 1 |
| United Kingdom (England) | National Curriculum in England — English | Year 2, Key Stage 1 |
| India | NCERT / CBSE — English | Class 1 |
Australian Curriculum v9.0 is the canonical source for this SkillrHub lesson. Victoria and NSW entries name the closest published state codes or outcomes; international entries are planning references rather than claims of identical curricula.
🎥 Optional Video Lesson
The SkillrHub lesson remains the primary learning resource. This optional video reinforces the explanation; you can complete the lesson and practice without watching.
Before you watch:
- Pause after each worked example.
- Try the examples yourself.
- Return to the SkillrHub lesson before continuing.
Recommended: Retelling a Story
Khan Academy Kids — Retell the important events in the order they happen.
As you watch: How do first, next and last help the listener follow the story?
Load video player Loads YouTube in this lesson. See the video notice below.
Try it: Draw three pictures from a familiar story. Use them to retell it, then change one event and tell your new version.
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