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Recount Writing Worksheet

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Recount Writing Worksheet

A class nature walk turned into an unexpected adventure. Read the recount, investigate how it works, then plan and write your own true or imagined recount. Use past tense and put events in time order.

Read: The Day the Wind Took Our Map

On Tuesday morning, our group set off on a nature walk at the local reserve. I went with my cousin Maia and our guide, Mere. The sky was bright, but a strong wind rustled the pōhutukawa trees. We planned to follow a marked track and sketch birds by the stream. First, Mere showed us how to look for clues without disturbing wildlife. We spotted a tūī sipping nectar from a red flower. Then we reached a fork in the track. As Maia unfolded our map, a gust snatched it from her hands. It sailed over the fence and landed beside a muddy puddle. We hurried after it, laughing, and Mere retrieved it with a long stick. After that, we checked the map and chose the right path. Near the stream, we sat quietly and heard a kingfisher call. I sketched its bright blue wings while Maia counted the ripples in the water. Finally, we returned to the picnic area just as light rain began. The map was muddy, but our walk had been a success. I felt proud that we stayed calm and worked together. I will remember the kingfisher’s call for a long time.

Notice the recount craft

A recount retells events that have already happened. It usually has an orientation (who, what, when and where), events in time order, and a conclusion that reflects on the experience.

1.Which sentence gives the clearest orientation by telling who, when and where?

“First, Mere showed us how to look for clues.”
“On Tuesday morning, our group set off on a nature walk at the local reserve.”
“The map was muddy, but our walk had been a success.”

2.Find two verbs in the recount that show the events happened in the past.

3.Which words help the reader follow the order of events? Choose all that apply.

First
Then
After that
Finally
Bright

4.Put these events in the order they happened by writing 1–4 beside them: ___ The group heard a kingfisher near the stream. ___ The wind blew the map away. ___ The group returned to the picnic area. ___ Mere explained how to observe wildlife.

5.Why does the writer include the sentence “I felt proud that we stayed calm and worked together” at the end?

6.Choose one detail from the recount that helps you imagine the scene. Explain what you can picture, hear or feel.

Plan your own recount

Choose a real experience or invent a believable one: a day out, a game, a celebration, a challenge or a surprising moment. Jot notes before you write. Events should be in the order they happened.

7.Plan your orientation. Note who was there, what happened, when it happened and where it happened. You may keep some details private by using made-up names or a general place.

8.Plan three important events in order. Start each note with a time connective such as First, Next, After that or Finally.

9.Write a recount of your experience. Include a title, an orientation, events in time order, past-tense verbs and a conclusion that tells what you thought or felt. Add at least one specific detail to bring the moment to life.