Sequencing Worksheets - Free Printable

To solve this sequencing task, we need to read the sentences for each story and put them in the order that makes the most sense logically. We look for clues like cause and effect, time words (like "then," "after"), and what must happen before something else can occur.

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Story 1: Kay Goes Fishing

Sentences:
- “I’ve got a fish,” Kay yelled.
- Dad started the engine and drove the boat to the other side of the lake.
- Dad prepared the fishing pole, dropped the line in the water, and handed it to Kay.
- Kay and her dad climbed into the small boat.

Logical order:
1. First, they get into the boat → “Kay and her dad climbed into the small boat.”
2. Then, Dad drives the boat to where they’ll fish → “Dad started the engine and drove the boat to the other side of the lake.”
3. Next, Dad sets up the fishing gear and gives it to Kay → “Dad prepared the fishing pole, dropped the line in the water, and handed it to Kay.”
4. Finally, Kay catches a fish and yells → “‘I’ve got a fish,’ Kay yelled.”

So the correct numbering is:
- “I’ve got a fish,” Kay yelled. → 4
- Dad started the engine... → 2
- Dad prepared the fishing pole... → 3
- Kay and her dad climbed... → 1

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Story 2: Mike and Tom Play Catch

Sentences:
- Tom caught the ball and threw it back to Mike.
- Mike reached up in the air for the ball, but missed.
- Mike pulled a baseball out of his jacket pocket and tossed it to Tom.
- The ball landed on the driveway and rolled toward the street.

Logical order:
1. Mike starts by getting the ball out and throwing it → “Mike pulled a baseball out of his jacket pocket and tossed it to Tom.”
2. Tom catches it and throws it back → “Tom caught the ball and threw it back to Mike.”
3. Mike tries to catch it but misses → “Mike reached up in the air for the ball, but missed.”
4. The ball falls and rolls away → “The ball landed on the driveway and rolled toward the street.”

Numbering:
- Tom caught the ball... → 2
- Mike reached up... → 3
- Mike pulled a baseball... → 1
- The ball landed... → 4

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Story 3: Fran and the Basketball

Sentences:
- She found a basketball in the garage and started dribbling it.
- Fran went outside on a bright and sunny day.
- She dribbled it down the driveway, turned toward the net, and threw the ball into the air.
- Fran jumped exactly as the ball went through the hoop.

Logical order:
1. Fran goes outside first → “Fran went outside on a bright and sunny day.”
2. Then she finds the ball and starts dribbling → “She found a basketball in the garage and started dribbling it.” *(Note: This implies she was inside or near the garage — so going outside might mean leaving the house, then finding the ball in the garage which is attached or nearby. But logically, you find the ball before you go far outside. Let’s recheck.)*

Wait — let’s think again.

Actually, if she “went outside” and then “found a basketball in the garage,” that suggests the garage is part of being outside (like stepping out the door to the garage). So:

Better sequence:
1. Fran went outside → “Fran went outside on a bright and sunny day.” (This could include going to the garage area.)
2. She found the ball in the garage and started dribbling → “She found a basketball in the garage and started dribbling it.”
3. She dribbles down the driveway and shoots → “She dribbled it down the driveway, turned toward the net, and threw the ball into the air.”
4. She jumps as the ball goes through the hoop → “Fran jumped exactly as the ball went through the hoop.”

But wait — jumping *as* the ball goes through the hoop? That doesn’t make sense. You jump to shoot, not after the ball goes in. Maybe it means she jumped to block or celebrate? Or perhaps it's poorly worded.

Let’s read carefully: “Fran jumped exactly as the ball went through the hoop.” That sounds like she jumped at the same time the ball went in — maybe celebrating? Or maybe it’s meant to be she jumped to shoot, and the ball went in.

But looking at sentence 3: “threw the ball into the air” — that’s the shot. Then sentence 4: “jumped exactly as the ball went through the hoop” — that would be after the shot, during the ball’s flight or as it scores. That seems odd.

Alternative interpretation: Perhaps “jumped” refers to her jumping to shoot? But sentence 3 already says she threw it. Hmm.

Maybe the intended order is:

1. Fran went outside.
2. Found ball in garage, started dribbling.
3. Dribbled down driveway, turned, threw ball (shot).
4. Jumped (perhaps in excitement) as it went in.

That makes sense emotionally — she shoots, watches, and jumps when it goes in.

So:

- She found a basketball... → 2
- Fran went outside... → 1
- She dribbled it down... → 3
- Fran jumped exactly... → 4

Yes, that works.

Final numbering for Story 3:
- She found a basketball... → 2
- Fran went outside... → 1
- She dribbled it down... → 3
- Fran jumped exactly... → 4

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Now, compiling all answers:

Kay Goes Fishing:
- “I’ve got a fish,” Kay yelled. → 4
- Dad started the engine... → 2
- Dad prepared the fishing pole... → 3
- Kay and her dad climbed... → 1

Mike and Tom Play Catch:
- Tom caught the ball... → 2
- Mike reached up... → 3
- Mike pulled a baseball... → 1
- The ball landed... → 4

Fran and the Basketball:
- She found a basketball... → 2
- Fran went outside... → 1
- She dribbled it down... → 3
- Fran jumped exactly... → 4

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Final Answer:
Kay Goes Fishing: 4, 2, 3, 1
Mike and Tom Play Catch: 2, 3, 1, 4
Fran and the Basketball: 2, 1, 3, 4