Book (Story) Retelling Ability Checklist
Primary Grade Level

Name of Student ____________________________________ Grade ______________________

Title of Book (Story) Read _________________________________________________________

Directions for the Teacher: Score 1 point for each element the child included. There can only be 1 point total in scoring other characters. If there are 4 other characters in the story and the student can name all four they get 1 point. If they can name 2 characters out of 4 they get .5 points. Give the student credit for each generic words such as boy, girl, dog, cat or friends.

Sense of Story Structure

Setting

Possible Scores

Child’s Score
1 Begins book (story) with an introduction

1

______
2 Names of main character

1

______
3 Score for other characters

1

______
4 Includes statement about time and place

1

______

Theme
Refers to main character’s primary goal or problem to be solved

1

______

Plot Episodes
1 Number of episodes in the book (story) _____
2 Number of episodes recalled (If student recalled few episodes that teacher has identified, use decimal point)

1

______

Resolution
1 Names problem solution/ goal attainment

1

______
2 Ends story

1

______

Sequence
Retells book (story) in structural order: setting, theme, plot episodes, resolution. Score 2 for proper, 1 for partial, 0 for no sequence evident.

2

______

Highest score possible
10

Child’s Score
__________