What's a SKOOB?

Fun News! My revised/new book has been released on Amazon.

Synopsis:

Ten year old Ethan happens upon a peculiar building with a curious name, SKOOB. Is it a museum, library, or bookstore? He goes inside and meets an unusual old lady who sends him on a path of exciting and memorable adventures. Will he discover the secret of SKOOB and solve its mysteries? Follow Ethan as he travels through space, medieval times, and even back to the days of horse-drawn carriages, and more! This book, SKOOB THE BEGINNING, is an updated and revised edition of the book, SKOOB REVISITED.

Will Ethan survive all that awaits him? Join Ethan and step inside to unravel the twists and turns of SKOOB.

Also available on TeachersPayTeachers are comprehension question and answer pages.

Enjoy the mystery of SKOOB THE BEGINNING and SKOOB RETURNS.

SKOOB THE FINAL CHAPTER is soon on the way.

Kathy

FREE Winter Holiday Writing Paper for the Kids

Your kids will enjoy writing letters, notes, and messages on these FREE holiday shaped writing pages. They are available on my Teachers Pay Teachers store. (Please click on the picture.)

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Kathy

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

GRUMPY MONKEY - (Book Review)

Right now it's 110 degrees outside where I live in Clovis, California! It's too hot to do anything outside! And not too much to do indoors.  Boy do I feel grumpy!

So I thought this would be the perfect time to review the book "GRUMPY MONKEY" by Suzanne Lang. It's a picture book that describes how all of us at sometime feel. I love reading picture books. They're just plain fun to read out loud to kids and grown-ups as well!

Jim Panzee, (a nice play on the word chimpanzee, because he is one), wakes up in a terrible mood and he doesn't know why. Nothing seems right. The bananas are too sweet, the sky too blue. His friend, Norman, says Jim is just grumpy. But Jim insists that he is NOT GRUMPY! 

Jim's friends try to encourage him and make him smile by having him do things they like to do, like taking a stroll, lying in the cool grass, splashing in the water, etc.

Nothing works until Norman sits with his friend Jim and together they reflect on the day and conclude . . .  sometimes it's okay to be grumpy, even on a wonderful day!

(I feel better already!)

I bought this book at the bookstore but it is also available on Amazon.

After I have read a good picture book I like to extend the reading experience for children and teachers by creating question and answers sticks, writing prompts, and a craft to go along with the book. If you would like to extend the reading experience and comprehension with this book you can visit my TeachersPayTeachers store and review my product.

Happy Reading!

Kathy

Lucky Me! My Good Luck

March brings us leprechauns, fairies, four leaf clovers, rainbows, St. Patrick's Day, good luck, and much, much more! So what does it mean to have good luck? And what things are said to be lucky?

Please click below and travel to my Teachers Pay Teachers store. There you can help your students learn what good luck means, study the lucky vocabulary words with pictures, and write about your good luck stories.

Best Wishes & Good Luck,

Kathy

There's a Dragon in Your Book - (Book Review)

This picture book follows Tom Fletcher's wonderful book "There's a Monster in Your Book." Both books are adorable, fun, and great interactive read-aloud stories.

You can't just read this book one time. Kids ask to read it over and over!

The story begins with a purple egg hatching. Out pops a green, baby dragon. The reader immediately begins using his/her imagination by tickling, blowing, flapping, balloon popping, and high-fiving the baby dragon. The interactive instructions on each page invite all readers to participate in a lighthearted, amusing, good humor, and playful story.

The story ends with these words on the next to the last page, "Whatever you do, don't turn the page . . . " Of course by this time kids are so excited to find out the ending, they are jumping out of their seats! 

I won't spoil the ending but it's well worth buying the book and reading it to children. The book is very interactive and kids love doing the crazy actions and making the loud noises.

The book is available on amazon:

I have created some question and answers sticks and writing prompts to go along with the book. Also, a cute "My Dragon Treasure Box" craft is included. If you would like to extend the reading experience and comprehension with this book you can visit my TeachersPayTeachers store and review my product.

Happy Reading!

Kathy

There's a Monster in Your Book - (Book Review)

 This picture book is so fun and adorable. I love reading it to my grandson! I have read it dozens of times and I am still not tired of reading it.

You can read this book anytime or you can read it during the Halloween/Fall season.

A cute, little monster has broken into the book. The reader needs to get him out! But the big question is . . . how do you do it?

There are instructions the reader must follow while reading . . . but will they work?

Shake the book, tickle the monster, even wiggle the book and much more. Will the monster ever leave?

I won't spoil the ending but it's well worth buying the book and reading it to children. The book is very interactive and kids love doing the crazy actions and making the loud noises.

The book is available on amazon:

I have created some question and answers sticks and writing prompts to go along with the book. Also, a cute monster craft is included. If you would like to extend the reading experience and comprehension with this book you can visit my TeachersPayTeachers store and review my product.

Happy Reading!

Kathy

 

Love Being with You - New Book Release

New book released:
LOVE BEING WITH YOU.

I'm very excited about my new book.
It's a wonderful read aloud for Grandparent's Day, (or any day)
which this year is on September 9, 2018.

The illustrations are adorable. It's available on Amazon.
Plus, I've created FREE comprehension question and answer sticks with writing prompts to go along with the book.

Summary:
Sadie and her grandmother, Gram, have a funalicious time in Gram's backyard.

They wiggle like worms, fly like butterflies, and sing a childhood song as they garden together.

Precious memories are created between grandparent and grandchild as they share a special Saturday morning filled with love and lots of fun!

FREE Comprehension Question and Answer Sticks to go along with the book. Available on Teachers Pay Teachers.

Love Reading With You!

Kathy

All About My Spring Break

Spring is just around the corner!
Yay!

I had a wonderful response to my product, All About My Winter Holiday Break, so I decided to create, All About My Spring Break.

So after you've had a restful spring break and you're heading back to school on Monday, my new resource might make the first day back a little easier and fun for you and your students.

It's available on TPT.
Please click below to have a look.

Happy Spring!

Kathy

All About My Winter Holiday Break

Winter Holiday Break is almost here, yay!

I hope you all have a wonderful, enjoyable, blessed, restful holiday!

Afterward, when school starts up again, I have created a new resource that might make the first day back a little easier and fun.

It's called "All About My Winter Holiday Break."
Please click below and have a look.

Merry Christmas &

Happy New Year!

Kathy

Read, Draw, Color, Write, Fun For November & December

Do you need a K-2 resource related to the holidays in November and December?

Here it is! It's great for centers or free time.

There are six short stories that get students thinking, reading, drawing, coloring, and writing. Please click below to link to TeachersPayTeachers for more information.

Happy November,

Kathy

Fengiggly - New Book Release

My new children's book, Fengiggly, was released yesterday, August 21. Yay!

It's a fun story about two neighbors, Max and Kevin.

Kevin knows how to talk like a space alien and Max wants to learn more about Kevin's secret language. Fengiggly brings them together.

It's available on amazon and also on teachers pay teachers. If you would like to take a look please click below.

I also created FREE comprehension question and answer sticks plus drawing and writing response pages, available on teachers pay teachers.

Have a Fengiggly day!

Kathy

FREE - Picture Book Reviews With Writing Connections

I was asked if I wouldn't mind combining my past blog posts that contained FREE picture book reviews with writing connections in one place. So I did.

You can find those free picture book reviews with writing connections at teachers pay teachers. Just click on the picture below to link to TPT and download the free ideas.

Enjoy your day!

Kathy

Fengiggly

I'm very excited about my new book, Fengiggly.
It was so much fun to write!
The illustrator did a marvelous job on the pictures.

Summary:
Kevin just moved in across the street from Max. He's not your typical boy. He knows how to talk like a space alien.

Max wants to find out more about Kevin and his secret language.

Can space alien talk create a friendship between new neighbors?
And who is Fengiggly?
Can they all become friends?

(Sneak preview below.)

The book will be released sometime in August 2017. Plus, I will be making FREE Comprehension Question and Answer Sticks to go along with the book. It will be available on Amazon and also on Teachers Pay Teachers. I'll keep you posted.

Have a Fengiggly day!

Kathy