What is already available at your fingertips?Website and Feature ArticlesExplore the Story Monsters website! The Story Monsters team is constantly updating their site with so many features and tools for teachers/students to access on their own. Issues are archived for easy access to the magazine contents and contests, opportunities for kids to publish their own work, and a teaching guide that goes along with each issue are always up to date! Questions in the teaching guide can be modified depending on the child’s age- use your teaching experience and love of literature to make Story Monsters come alive in the hands of your students! Also…When you receive your magazine, check out the features in the Table of Contents. There are usually 1-2 articles that reference specific lessons and ideas for teachers to implement in their classroom. Use the table of contents and the Story Monsters website as your guide as you determine lesson ideas for your child/student pertinent to that issue! Below are additional ideas that can be used for students of pretty much any age! They have been generally organized by age range but use your teaching experience and instincts to modify for your classroom and or/child.*Idea for any

TOP TEN PEOPLE POWER BOOKS (OK TOP 15 :)) Literature LessonsThis literature focus explores the power of EMPATHY, POSITIVITY, KINDNESS, and BRAVERY in characters and how it changes lives. I create posters of the above character traits and then ‘debate’ which fits best for the literature. Students can reflect on their OWN ‘inner powers’ through their own backgrounds and life experiences…which naturally produces thoughtful discussions. I really love to let them share how they interpret the story and I validate their feelings…any thoughts on literature are our OWN innermost reactions, and they are all valid, important, and authentic…one of the best parts of being with our younger readers…no filter!! My top ten favorite books about kindness….for all ages. There are so many I wanted to share, but these ones in particular tug at my heartstrings. And they also exemplify and portray a sense of innocence in the characters which makes them feel more relatable to our young readers. (PS- I will probably edit this post three more times thinking of 100 books I forgot to mention….seriously. Authors have such good hearts…)

TRUE STORIES I absolutely love this engaging ‘trend’ in picture books. They are perfect for older readers who love to ask…”Did that really happen?” The author’s note at the end of true story books is a great discussion starter, and often provides real photos of the event depicted in the picture book. I always enjoy having readers identify the central message and theme during these true stories. Providing some background knowledge prior to the read-aloud can facilitate deeper discussions and encourage them to read and check out more nonfiction books on these topics. Showing video clips or online photos is always a sure-fire way to pique reader’s interests even more!  Common themes we like to discuss and ‘sort’ our true stories in are…Courage, Perseverance, Honesty, Kindness, Power, Overcoming obstacles, Friendship, and Bravery (many stories are often a mix of all of these, and readers LOVE choosing/debating which one they believe is the best ‘fit’ and why!) True Story Research ArticleTrue Story Exit CardPOURQUOI TALES One of my all time favorite types of literature to share with students are the engaging, thought-provoking “Pourquoi Tales”.  Pourquoi tales are stories from long ago that explain the mysteries of the universe in quirky, funny, and sometimes shocking ways. There is

FAVORITE CHARACTERS AND CHARACTER TRAITS: I’ve really LOVED sharing popular, well-loved characters as a focus with my littlest incoming readers. I like for them to form a relationship with authors that have created several books with lovable friends. It also encourages students to check out these books with their families and experience a meaningful read-aloud time together – considering these books are extra special and meant to be shared on the laps of their parents :). Below are some of my favorites….old and new! I love creating projects about these characters, drawing comparisons between them, and having fun discussions about character traits, which characters remind us of ourselves (Betty Bunny reminds me of my kids!) and also teach character education….Corduroy being accepted for who he is, Pete the Cat not worrying about the ‘little things’, Scaredy Squirrel overcoming his fears, etc. These books would be fascinating for older kids to study and discuss the deeper author’s message behind them as well. The possibilities are endless with great literature. Seriously I could go on forever. My favorites: Pete the Cat, Corduroy, Hedgie (Jan Brett), Arthur, Amelia Bedelia, Frog and Toad, Poppleton, Clarice Bean, Curious George, Betty Bunny, Leo the Crocodile, Scaredy Squirrel,