Stories by Storie

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Word Search Maker

Word Search Maker

October 12, 2020

Kids love word searches! Not only do they give the brain a workout, but they encourage problem solving, help with spelling, and boost the working memory. Over the years, I have used online word search generators, but I have never been happy with the overall appearance. When I make my own, I can get the puzzle to look exactly the… Read More

Filed Under: spelling & word study Leave a Comment

Ideas for Spelling and Sight Word Practice

Ideas for Spelling and Sight Word Practice

April 20, 2020

Are you looking for new ways to practice spelling and sight words? Here are several activities you can try in the classroom or at home with your kids. Your kids will have so much fun practicing their words!   IDEAS FOR SPELLING and SIGHT WORD PRACTICE   Lacing Letters Kids can get a little fine motor practice in while stringing… Read More

Filed Under: daily 5, spelling & word study, teacher tips Leave a Comment

Editable Spelling Worksheets

Editable Spelling Worksheets

May 27, 2019

Students need time to practice their spelling words. By having a large number of activities to offer, you can avoid falling into the spelling rut! These low-prep editable spelling worksheets help students practice their words in a fun and engaging way. Whether you are using a list of spelling words, vocabulary words, or sight words, all you need to do… Read More

Filed Under: spelling & word study 2 Comments

3 Ways to Organize Weekly Spelling Practice

3 Ways to Organize Weekly Spelling Practice

September 13, 2016

I have been asked to share some of the ways I organize my weekly spelling practice. I prefer to incorporate spelling practice into our Word Work rotation during our Daily 5 block (you can read more about our weekly routine here). In order to do this, things need to be organized so the students can access and use the materials independently…. Read More

Filed Under: daily 5, organization, spelling & word study 3 Comments

Laminator Love

Laminator Love

August 7, 2013

I went back to school shopping.  No, it wasn’t for new clothes.  I bought a new laminator and I am giddy with excitement.  Please tell me I’m not alone in getting excited about things like this (please). My Laminator Here is my new little toy – a Scotch Thermal Laminator. So, what does a teacher who just received a present in… Read More

Filed Under: daily 5, spelling & word study, teacher tips 10 Comments

Roll & Cover Gameboards

February 11, 2013

One of the word work games my kids enjoy playing is roll and cover.  It is a lot like Bingo.  I teach my students three ways to play: 1-player, 2-player, and small group.  In the game, a student rolls a die.  There is a chart at the top of the page that tells the student what each number means.  The… Read More

Filed Under: daily 5, spelling & word study Leave a Comment

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💛 LIBRARY STACK 💛 Thought I’d stop and take a mom 💛 LIBRARY STACK 💛

Thought I’d stop and take a moment to admire my current checkouts from the local library, especially since I was recently reminded that February is National Library Lovers’ Month. 

Do I often get strange looks and questions when another patron sees me with a large stack of picture books at the self-checkout desk? Yes, but that hasn’t stopped me! 

Which titles from this stack would you reach for first?
My favorite library find this week dives deep bene My favorite library find this week dives deep beneath the surface to explore hidden treasures.

Alternating between verse and facts, this book gives readers a front row seat to some of the biggest shipwrecks ever found. We also get introduced to some of the scientists, divers, and treasure hunters behind these discoveries. 

Whether you know an aspiring marine archaeologist or someone who loves a good treasure hunt, this book would be a good fit for any curious, adventurous reader!

Have you seen this book yet?

Shipwreck
📚 @tilburyhousepublishers 
✏️ Deirdre Laide
🎨 Carlos Velez Aguilera
A princess who is intelligent, has a kind & gentle A princess who is intelligent, has a kind & gentle heart, and one who stays true to herself? Yes, please!

Set in the mountains of Joseon, we meet Jeongsoon. She has a heart of jade, and wants to become princess so she can help the hungry children in her village. 

It isn’t long before she enters the Princess Challenge and faces three tests: Manners, Wisdom, and the Sleep Test.

While Jeongsoon is far from perfect, she stays true to herself and wins the favor of the queen. 

This story adds a fresh perspective on the classic tale of The Princess and the Pea. My favorite part was the Sleep Test twist! I love that the backmatter includes information about the real-life Queen Jeongsoon of South Korea.

A big thank you to the publisher for sharing this new picture book with my family! 
✏️ @tinamcho
🎨 @honeej
📚 @MacKidsBooks

Which do you prefer?
• traditional tales
• reimagined/fractured fairytales
• both
My favorite library find this week combines friend My favorite library find this week combines friendship and adventure with a story about how paper is made.

Under a tree, a boy with a book and girl with a paper plane meet and play over the course of a wonderful day. Then they are parted - perhaps never to meet again. 

Soon their tree is felled and starts a new journey to become paper to make hundreds of different things...including a book for a girl and a notepad for a boy. 

Can a new paper plane find its way to reunite the friends again?

⭐️ Not only would this story be a great addition to your friendship collection, but you might want to check it out before Earth Day since it also explains how paper is made. 

Have you read this book yet?

Paper Chase
📚 @scholastic
✏️ Julia Donaldson
🎨 Victoria Sandøy
As teachers and parents, we want our kids to be ki As teachers and parents, we want our kids to be kind to others. Through books, we can show students how to see the good in others, how to be there for other people, how to help others feel included, how to be kind even when it is hard, and how spreading kindness can come back around.

In other words, books can help us send the message that kindness is important and something we value. 

🩷 What are your favorite kindness books for kids?

🔗 Full list available on my website and Amazon page.
My favorite library find this week might surprise My favorite library find this week might surprise you, especially if you know how much I don’t like spiders! This one combines amazing artwork with a meaningful message, which makes it a must-read!

Kiara spent her days spinning webs to catch lunch. One day an extraordinary web catches her eye, and she becomes determined to create something just as amazing. Unfortunately, with every new creation comes someone (or something) that carelessly destroys her hard work. 

“HEY! I WORKED HARD ON THAT!”

Then Kiara meets Orb, a weaver, who helps her gain a fresh perspective - one that shifts the focus away from the result and towards the journey (and friends) she can make along the way.

Have you read this book yet?

I Worked Hard on That!
📚 @simonkids 
✏️ @robynjwall 
🎨 @annakangdesign 

⭐️This book would be a fun way to introduce a spider unit, or a great addition to your collection of books about overcoming obstacles and having a growth mindset.
There’s a new friend with a story to share in the There’s a new friend with a story to share in the Big Bright Feelings series!

Meet Sammy…

Sammy LOVES having fun. Especially at home. But in big groups - like at school, birthday parties, even the ice cream truck - he doesn’t love feeling like other people are looking at him, and it’s really hard talking to other people. Everyone tells Sammy not to be so shy. But one day, it gets so hard and scary that he starts to turn pink, and then pinker…until he’s bright pink ALL OVER! Then he doesn’t want to see anyone or do anything. But hiding out-alone-isn’t very fun. Can Sammy learn how to tackle his fears - and go back to his usual color?

Have you read this one yet? Be sure to swipe to see the rest of the books in this series. They are soooo good for starting conversations about feelings, and would be a great addition to your SEL collection!

Sammy Feels Shy
@bloomsburychildrens 
✏️🎨 @tompercivalbooks

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