NOTICE & WONDER
The Picture Detective
Use a picture detail to explain an inference.
K–2 · 15–20 minutes · Free 4-page PDF
Open the lesson & printable →THE RESOURCE LIBRARY · SOMETHING TO TRY TODAY
Small ideas.
Room for a little wonder.
A clever question. A tiny scene. An ordinary object with a wildly unsuitable new job. A small, useful shelf for teachers and librarians: perform a read-aloud, play a scene, draw a paper film. Practical steps and free resources, ready whenever you need them.
You know your group. Borrow what helps, change what needs changing, and leave the rest for another day.
Ready-to-use lessons and printables.
CLUE OR IDEA?
The Sock on the Chair
Separate an observation from an explanation.
K–2 · 10–15 minutes · Free 4-page PDF
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SILLY SEASON
The Pumpkin’s Peculiar Problem
Listen for details, explain a choice and sequence a story.
K–2 · 15–25 minutes · Free 4-page PDF
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ASK SOMETHING GOOD
The Story Conversation
Discuss a story using details, reasons and listening.
K–2 · 10–20 minutes · Free 4-page PDF
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OPEN A LITTLE CASE
The Missing Story Star
Use new clues to revise an explanation.
K–2 · 20 minutes · Free 4-page PDF
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MAKE A STORY
Something Ridiculous Happens Next
Create a character, problem and connected ending.
K–2 · 15–25 minutes · Free 4-page PDF
Open the lesson & printable →Want a connected set of acting games, paper films and tiny books? Explore Story Studio and its free workbook →
Reading aloud? Borrow an actor’s trick.
A pause, a shared line, one small change of voice. Try these three read-aloud performance tips with your next book. You do not need to become a different person to bring a character to life.
5 MINUTES · A BOOK YOU ALREADY HAVE
Got five minutes? Open a picture mystery.
A five-minute picture-book routine for K–2: notice a detail, offer an inference and make room for another idea. No printing needed.
Try this idea →10 MINUTES · PAPER + PENCILS
Make a tiny film. Leave the camera in the cupboard.
A practical K–2 paper-film activity: wide view, medium view and close-up help children tell a tiny story in three drawings.
Try this idea →10 MINUTES · ONE CLEAN SOCK
A sock walks into your lesson. Suspicious.
Use one clean sock and a chair to help K–2 children separate what they observe from what they imagine. A short, funny classroom idea.
Try this idea →5 MINUTES · ONE ORDINARY OBJECT
You don’t have to make today magical.
A gentle, practical five-minute imaginary-play invitation for teachers and librarians: give an ordinary object a new pretend job.
Try this idea →What would make your next storytime easier?
A quieter game? A way in for mixed ages? Tell C. J. the situation, without children’s names or identifying details. Your experience can help shape a future activity.