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Explain It in Order is a free printable Grade 1 English worksheet on putting the steps of an explanation in the right order, aligned to Common Core standard W.1.2. It prints 2 questions with an answer key on its own sheet of paper, in 25 versions that each ask different questions, so no two pupils in the class work from the same page. Print it from the browser or download it as a PDF — no account, no email.

Set 1 of 25 · the same problems every time you open this link.

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All 25 sets ask different questions.

Explain It in Order

W.1.2

NameDate

Number the boxes to show the right order.

LessonPrint · W.1.2 · Set 1 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Explain It in Order

Set 1. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.Correct order: 1, 3, 2, 4, 5
  2. 2.Correct order: 3, 4, 2, 1, 5

Questions about Explain It in Order

What does the Explain It in Order worksheet cover?

It practises putting the steps of an explanation in the right order — 2 questions for Grade 1, all on Common Core W.1.2: Write about a topic with some facts and an ending. The instruction to pupils is “Number the boxes to show the right order”, and the answer key follows on the next sheet.

Which Common Core standard does Explain It in Order practise?

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.1.2 — W.1.2, in the Writing domain for Grade 1. The published standard reads: “Write informative/explanatory texts in which they name a topic, supply some facts about the topic, and provide some sense of closure.” The worksheet assesses that standard rather than a paraphrase of it.

What age or grade is this worksheet for?

Explain It in Order is written for Grade 1, typically ages 6-7. It is one of the sheets on W.1.2, so it suits any pupil working at that standard — including older pupils revisiting it and younger ones working ahead.

Does Explain It in Order come with an answer key?

Yes. All 2 answers are generated from the same problems as the questions, so the key cannot drift out of step with the sheet. It starts on a fresh sheet of paper, after the questions, so it is not handed out with the class by accident.

How many different versions of Explain It in Order can I print?

25 — one per pupil, and all 25 ask different questions. Set 1 downloads the whole class as a single PDF. Every version is fixed to its own address, so a sheet printed today holds the same problems when you reopen it next week.

Is Explain It in Order free to print and photocopy?

Yes. Explain It in Order, its answer key and its 25 versions are free to print and photocopy for your own class, with no account, no email capture and no subscription at the download step. Please do not resell them or republish them as your own.

More practice for W.1.2

Write about a topic with some facts and an ending.

All Grade 1 worksheets

Last reviewed 2026-09-05. Aligned to W.1.2 of the Common Core State Standards for English language arts.