FREE Comprehension Questions for SKOOB RETURNS

Thank you for the wonderful positive reviews to my new book, SKOOB RETURNS. I enjoyed visiting with you at the book festival. At your request, I have created comprehension questions to go along with the book. You can download them for FREE on Teacher Pay Teacher. Also, the book is available on Amazon, SKOOB RETURNS

Enjoy the Day,

Kathy

Children's Stories

Every time I visit a school I love seeing that kids are writing stories. As soon as I enter a classroom the kids immediately start sharing the stories they've written with me. I smile and say that I can't wait to walk into a bookstore and see their published books on the shelves.

Here are two of my favorite stories that FIRST grade kids wrote. Since I don't have their permission to use their names I will just share their stories, enjoy.

THE GREAT DAY

It was the first day of school and there was no teacher. The kids got to do whatever they wanted to do. They had puppet shows. They looked through the teacher's desk. It was fun. The principal was too busy so she didn't notice that there was no teacher. It was a great day. The kids played with the teacher's stuff. They went home and told their parents. The next day the teacher came back. She said, "I forgot all about school. I thought it was still summer vacation."

(HA! HA! I LOVE that story!) Here's the next one. I love the opening lines!

THERE'S NOTHING BETTER THAN A FAMILY

I love my family more than a flower. I love my family more than a book. Even when my mom and dad get mad at my big brother for hitting my little brother. Even when my mom tells me to clean up my room and I always forget. No matter what . . . I still love my family because there's nothing better than a family.

(That story is TOO precious!)

What can I say except kids and their stories are the greatest!

Enjoy your day and share a story!

Kathy

SKOOB RETURNS

It's finally here! My new book is finished and published.

I visit lots of schools and talk with students about the joys of reading and writing. The kids have asked me again and again when will I be writing a sequel to my book SKOOB REVISITED. So the last year or so that's what I have been doing. And it has been fun yet very challenging. The publishing industry takes lots of patience.

SKOOB RETURNS: IT’S ADVENTUROUS, MYSTERIOUS, AND BAFFLING! The curious and peculiar bookstore, SKOOB, has returned for even more unusual and mysterious adventures. Another summer has arrived. Eleven year old Ethan is drawn to the bookstore once again. What adventures will await him? Which books will transport him? How will he return? But this time Amy, his mother’s best friend’s eight year old daughter, is very insistent about coming along. Will she be a help or a hinderance on the adventures? Ethan is left with no choice but to take Amy with him as they jump into books that take them to places near and far and encounter wild horses, monkeys, giant crabs, and more. Will they find the treasure? Step inside SKOOB RETURNS to find out. (Grade levels: 2nd through 6th or great for any reader who loves adventures and mysteries!)

Enjoy the adventure! (Available on Amazon.)

Kathy Goosev Howell

Book Talk - Oral Book Class Presentation

It's very difficult for some kids and adults to talk in front of a group or audience.

To help with stage fright, I just posted this activity on TPT that I used when I was teaching in the classroom. Sharing a favorite book opens up the communication lines.

This activity is a wonderful tool for getting students used to talking in front of an audience or their class. It supports comprehension and retelling of a story or book that has been read. It also encourages the listeners to participate in the presentation by asking questions about the story or book. 

This product includes:

1   Blank calendar that can be posted in the classroom for students to 

    sign up for the day of their book talk.

1   Student Book Talk direction sheet.

1   Teacher Book Talk check off list and evaluation sheet.

1   Directions page.

Click on the picture above to take you there.

Enjoy your day,

Kathy

Just for Laughs!

This school year is almost over . . .

And it got me thinking about all the unusual gifts teachers get from their students. 😆

I've been in education for over 35 years and here are some that I will never forget.

My student was so proud to give me an apple.

It was shiny red. It looked delicious!

I took it and thanked her.

The apple felt wet in my hand.  I felt a hole on the other side.

I turned the apple around to discover it had a bite out of the back.

I asked her what had happened.

She said, "I was hungry on the way to school!"

And she smiled with such an adorable face!

Teachers like shiny, sparkly, new things!

And that's just what this student gave me!

He went into his mom's costume jewelry drawer. He searched around until he found this diamond costume ring. He just knew I would love it!

It didn't matter that there were a few rhinestones missing here and there. It was a special ring for his teacher, me. He was so proud to give it to me. And it showed how much he cared.

 I have kept this ring for over 30 years and I still chuckle over it. His mom never knew he gave it to me! 😂 

This last story reminds me of the saying . . .

"All that glitters is not gold."

Yep, that sure is true in this case!

My student gave me this shiny gold rock.

He assures me that there is actual gold stuck inside it. He found it in his back yard. It's a very special rock. So he is giving it to me because I'm a special teacher! So I have kept this rock for over 20 years in a desk drawer.

Somehow I can't seem to throw it away.

Maybe there is gold inside. Hmmmmmm!

Well, you be the judge. 

Cherished memories for sure!

I hope you all have a terrific summer!

May you look back on your school year and . . .  SMILE!

All My Best!   Kathy

All About the REAL Me

All About the REAL Me:

No excuses, just facts. I've been so busy with my two grandsons this last year (2022) that I've noticed I have only completed one new project and one post. My grandsons are 3 and 1 year olds. We have so much fun together going on adventures and playing fun games. I love being a grandmother! My grandsons call me by my Russian grandmother name: Boosha, short for Babooshka.

So who is the REAL you?

Have fun with your students and my new project on TPT: All About the REAL Me.

Take Care,

Kathy

All About My 100th Day of School

 Happy New Year 2022!

May the new year bring you good health, happiness, and lots of new friendships!

The month of January is a refreshing month for me. The weather is cool and crisp (no snow) and gets my brain "a thinking". I actually come out of hibernation long before the springtime. So I'm starting new projects and trying to finish earlier ones.

But until then the 100th day of school is quickly approaching. I know you all have wonderful 100th day activities. But, perhaps you may want to add just one more resource from my TPT store.

This is a fun activity that gets kids sharing their thoughts and experiences about their 100th day of school. It also encourages students to read, write, and share.

Have a wonderful January!

Kathy