Smooth Story Steps

This worksheet supports students in Grades 2 and 3 as they practice using temporal words to clarify event order and improve narrative flow. By completing a short story with transition words such as first, then, meanwhile, and finally, learners strengthen sequencing, reading comprehension, and writing fluency while developing a clearer sense of story structure.

Skills Reinforced

• Using Temporal Words (Grades 2-3)
  Apply common transition words accurately to show when events occur.
• Sequencing and Story Cohesion
  Understand how transitions help connect ideas and maintain logical order.
• Reading Short Narratives
  Read for meaning and context to determine correct word placement.
• Transition Word Application
  Use each transition intentionally and only where it fits best.

Instructional Support

• Teacher-Created Resource
  Designed to align with early narrative writing standards.
• Clear Structure and Scaffolding
  A word box and limited choices keep the task focused and approachable.
• Supports Writing Fluency
  Helps students internalize common sequencing language used in stories.
• Flexible Use
  Works well for whole-group lessons, independent practice, or intervention.

This activity helps students see how temporal words guide the reader through a story and make writing easier to follow. By practicing correct placement and one-time use of each transition, learners build stronger control over sequencing, narrative cohesion, and overall writing clarity. It fits naturally into both classroom instruction and homeschool language arts routines focused on early storytelling skills.

This worksheet is part of our Story Structure (Beginning, Middle, End) Worksheets collection.