Creative Storytelling Ideas

Does your child like to play games? How about you?

Sometimes finding quality time to spend with your family can seem like a daunting task. As parents, we try to make what little time we have as meaningful as possible. Playing games with each other can create valuable memories.

One activity you could do with your children of any age involves storytelling. To begin, someone must start the story with "Once upon a time...." and then finish the sentence. Each person takes a turn adding onto the story with another sentence. You can make this last as long or as short as you would like. Each person could take only one turn or the story could go for awhile. After the story has come to a conclusion, the last person says "...and they lived happily every after." The predetermined opening and closing helps to bring a clear beginning and ending to the story.

Story elements can also be taught through this activity, if you wish. You can talk about the main characters, the setting, problems and solutions, and the order of events that took place once the story has been told.

Creativity is a plus! Focus on making the story interesting and crazy, yet still make sense. Once your family gets the hang of the game, I suggest documenting it! What do I mean? Well, maybe the story could be filmed or recorded. If you do this, then there are some great ways to take it to the next level. Using the video, your family could create your own book based on the story. Each member could help with writing the text, drawing illustrations, or developing the book cover. Home made versions of your stories are sweet reminders of the time you share together. For those who would like a more professional version, the final product can be made into a bound book with the help of many popular websites. What a great gift for your extended family for any holiday!

Another fun follow-up activity would be to act out the story in costume! Working together to create wardrobes, props, and sets would make memories to last a lifetime. Don't forget to film the final production. This, too, would be a wonderful gift idea.

Are you camera shy? No worries! Creating a puppet show with hand-made puppets is an adorable alternative to being in front of the camera. Each family member can create their own characters using socks, oven mitts, or just a piece of cloth.

Feeling extra creative? Turn it into a song with instrument! (The instruments can even be homemade.)

If any of you decide to try one of these ideas mentioned above, please share them with us. We would love to see what fun your household has been up to.

"Creativity is putting your imagination to work, and it's produced the most extraordinary results in human culture."   -Ken Robinson

My Book Trailer is Out!

Here is a simple 15 second teaser video about Extraordinary Annie. 

I would greatly appreciate it if you would consider liking and commenting on the video.

Annie Hanging Out at Bamboozle Tea Lounge

Today I am at Bamboozle Tea Lounge in Tampa for my first out of town book signing event. The cafe is cozy and the people are very friendly. Because it is surrounded by apartments, I've also been able to enjoy watching people walking their dogs.

Everything still seems surreal as I sit at my table, talking with customers. I love having the opportunity to meet new people and share my inspiration for writing Extraordinary Annie. I can't wait until my next event!

My First Official Signing Event

Today was my first book signing event and it just so happened to be only a few minutes away from home. My family and friends had a wonderful time at D'Lites Emporium in Gainesville, FL. They were great hosts and would highly recommend them if you are in the area. They have the best low calorie soft serve ice cream around!

The day was beautiful outside! We had lots of people coming in and out of the store. I even got to read my book twice to a few of the most adorable kids! Today really showed me how blessed I am to have supportive family members who work as hard as I do to help this dream come true. Not only that, but how I am also blessed with friends who take time out of their schedules to come visit and support me too. Today was a good day.

So, with my first solo event under wraps I am now looking toward to the next one, which is scheduled for May in Tampa, FL. This has been an exciting ride thus far, but I know this is just the beginning. 

Free Worksheets for Extraordinary Annie

Now that my book is available at a variety of websites, I would like to share a few lesson ideas and worksheets with my fellow elementary school teachers.

The first, and most obvious lesson, focuses on antonyms. Within the book, Extraordinary Annie, some differences are apparent while others can be found within the pictures. The two look different, act different, dress different...need I say more? If you click the link below you will find a worksheet for students to complete, only focusing on the antonyms found in the story.

Worksheet: Antonym Graphic Organizer

Along with being opposites, the girls do have some similarities. Students can read the story and not only find an abundance of opposites, but also find similarities when comparing and contrasting Annie and her best friend, Zoe. The perfect graphic organizer for this is a Venn Diagram. If you click below you will find a customized Venn Diagram worksheet that can be used with individual students, small groups, or even as a class activity together.

Worksheet: Venn Diagram

A great discussion idea can focus on friendship. Do friends have to be alike to get along? What if everyone was the same? How are the same as your best friend? How are you different? Is it a good thing or a bad thing and why? This allows students to see that differences make us all extraordinary!

These are just a few ways my book can be used in the classroom. As you read and use Extraordinary Annie, please share your ideas of using it in your classroom or with your students here in the comments. You can also share suggestions personally with me by email. And don't forget...make each day extraordinary!

My New Children's Book

I feel like the new year has just begun and now February is right around the corner. As with many of you, I have a growing list of "To Dos" and "Bucket List" items that I would love to check off as being done. With that being said, I am excited to share with you one thing that I am able to say is coming soon.

My first children's book, Extraordinary Annie, is scheduled to be released on February 10! This is one pursuit that I've been involved with for a few years now. As a Media Specialist at an elementary school I began to notice the need for books that helped to teach antonyms, but on a higher level than just "up-down" and "hot-cold". I wanted to write a book that older students could read and teachers could use in the classroom teaching many different skills all with the same text. And with this...my journey began.

And so, here I am today writing this blog, not able to fully anticipate the future, but going along for the ride, none-the-less. I am truly thankful for all of the support I have received from my dear family and friends through this endeavor.

I have several companion worksheets and lesson ideas for teachers and parents to use with the book. Stay tuned for free materials to be shared on this blog.

Let me leave you with a final thought...what are going to mark off of your Bucket List this year? Let me reassure you that you can accomplish anything you set your mind to, just don't give up.

Click here to order Extraordinary Annie today!