Episode 73: The Cloud, Chapter 12

Hi All, 

Just a reminder that we are recording a novella that Mr. Chris and I wrote. The story, about kids solving a mystery using their technology skills,  has twenty-five chapters.  

Last week we brought you Chapter 11, where Val and Garrett went to turn in attendance in the office, when they found the principal, Mr. Wolff, was feeling sick. Mr. Wolff tasked them both with drafting health rules for the school, and ended with him and Jamie going home sick.

What type of weather is happening in your neck of the woods? Take a picture and upload it to our group folder. We'll place them on the the class website at bit.ly/brisbanegrade4 to help out The Cloud with their science fair data!   

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR, TEXTHELP!

                                 

                                                                 Photo credit: Texthelp

This week, we bring you Chapter 12. Our sponsor, Texthelp, will be featured before and after this week's episode. Texthelp, the makers of WriQ, is establishing a new revolution for student writing achievement. Join a growing community of students and teachers and try WriQ for free today. Visit: text.help/stories.

VORACIOUS VOCABULARY

What did you say? A word of the day! In our story 

there are many juicy words that are fun to use and say.

Lounge - To pass time idly and indolently.

Application - A computer program used for a particular type of job or problem.

Genuinely - Possessing the claimed or attributed character, quality, or origin; not counterfeit; authentic; real.

Definitively - Serving to define, fix, or specify definitely.

Artifacts - Any feature that is not naturally present but is a product of an extrinsic agent, method, or the like.

   JUST ADD IMAGINATION! 

Try these activities to keep your imagination glowing 

after hearing the story.

1. Share your coolest weather pictures in this folder!

2. What do YOU think is making people sick in the school? Add your theory to the Padlet. 

3. Continue to help The Cloud by adding your own suggestions to help fight illness in the school to the Cleanliness Catalog. 

                         COMPREHENSION CHALLENGE

After listening to the story, can you recall the 

details to answer these questions?

1. Who hypothesized that Melvin was causing everyone to get sick?

2. What channels did Todd watch?

3. When were Val and Garrett walking to the office?

4. Where did The Cloud take pictures?

5. Why does The Cloud suspect someone is helping them?

Auntie Kerry of Massachusetts

John Kane of Texas

WE HOPE YOUR DAYS SPARKLED!

Springing into Stories

Spring has not fully sprung, but it's well on its way. To help it along, I thought we'd post some of our stories that remind us of new adventures, taking in all the new life around us and enjoying the turn of the seasons. Won't you join us? 

The Walk: (11:46)

A description from a little boy of all the sights he sees on a walk with his family.

Free audio download: The Walk

Blog with activities: The Walk

The Hike: (13:26)

The sequel to "The Walk" describes the boy's adventures he has on a hike with his family.

Free audio download: The Hike

Blog with activities: The Hike

Pedal Power (14:21)

While learning to ride a bike, a boy learns perseverance breeds confidence.

Free audio download: Pedal Power

Blog with activities: Pedal Power 

Bird Seeds (21:10)

When Agnes, an old woman who lives alone in the woods, discovers a mysterious packet of seeds she finds more than just vegetables can grow in her garden. 

Free audio download: Bird Seeds

Blog with activities: Bird Seeds

The Farm Girl and the Feather (22:59)

A fairy tale that proves warriors and their weapons come in different shapes and sizes.

Free audio download: The Farm Girl and the Feather

Blog with activities: The Farm Girl and the Feather

Mojo's Outdoor Adventure (17:01)

Mojo the ferret takes an unexpected trip outside but will he be able to find a way back in?

Free audio download: Mojo's Outdoor Adventure

Blog with activities: Mojo's Outdoor Adventure

The Turns of the Seasons (13:58)

One by one, the seasons take turns impacting people's lives. 

Free audio download: The Turns of the Seasons

Blog with activities: The Turns of the Seasons

PEOPLE'S CHOICE

Happy New Year! We look forward to watching the glow grow brighter in 2014 with all the new (and old) stories we can share together. Feel free to share them with your loved ones, friends, second cousins twice removed and anybody else you can think of at the moment. They can find us here on the blog, on our Facebook page, on Twitter, on our Pinterest board, and on iTunes.

Each member of the Night Light Stories household chose a 

favorite story for your listening pleasure. 

Enjoy!  

TUCKER'S CHOICE (age 8): 

Sled Ride: (6:06)

A little boy tells of his exciting sled ride down 

the hill while tryingto avoid a collision.

Free audio download: Sled Ride

Blog with activities: Sled Ride

MAGGIE'S CHOICE (age 6)

Lulu and Her Lavender Lion: (12:31)

A girl's journey through her memories with her imaginary friend.

Free audio download: Lulu and Her Lavender Lion

Blog with activities: Lulu and Her Lavender Lion

MR. CHRIS' CHOICE (age 39)

Agent Tissue Has an Issue: (14:21)

Agent Tissue is hot on the trail of a runaway nose that is hiding on the playground. Can his two new recruits help him catch the slippery culprit?

Free audio download: Agent Tissue Has an Issue

Blog with activities: Agent Tissue Has an Issue

MS. MEL'S CHOICE (age 36)

The Watermelon Seed: (10:18)

A little boy and his grandmother exchange letters describing the different changes he is seeing in his mom after she swallows a watermelon seed.

Free audio download: The Watermelon Seed

Blog with activities: The Watermelon Seed

If you had to choose a story, which one would it be? 

Share with us in the comments below or over at our Facebook page.

BRING ON 2014!

Follow Me February!

Hello All!

Thank you for visiting! We have been so excited by all of the downloads and visits to our website. We love hearing from you and receiving your works of art! We wanted to update you on a few things.

CONTEST CORNER
Don't forget that we still have a contest going on to win FIVE imaginative and original books from Barefoot Books. Contest details can be found in the Squircles blog. We have received some wonderful entries so far, so keep them coming! The contest ends February 14, 2009.

OUR NEXT STORY

February is turning out to be a very busy and surprising month for the Night Light Stories household. I recently had to have surgery on short notice, but am recovering well. My husband is writing a book with a co-author about Assistive Technology. He and his co-author just heard back from the publisher in the past week and are diligently working to put the final touches on the book. So, we are looking forward to getting our next story to you by the end of February.

In the meantime, here are some ways you can make it easier to receive updates when there is a new episode or blog entry:

* Sign up as a follower on this blog

* Subscribe FREE at iTunes

* Sign up at the Night Light Stories group on Facebook

* Follow me on Twitter @nightlight08

WORTHY WEBSITES
One more thing! February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. Click on the mouth below to find some great information, coloring sheets, free posters and games for the kids. Happy Brushing!

Episode 1:Mojo and The Magic Couch

Click here to listen to Mojo and The Magic Couch

Hi All,

The first of the stories is up for your listening pleasure. I am so thrilled to have started this and get the light glowing bright! I wanted to share a little background on the story of Mojo and the Magic Couch. My husband and I are the authors. We came up with the idea for it after we noticed our ferret, Mojo, was escaping into the depths of our couch. He literally had dug a hole in between the cushions and would leap in there while we desperately tried to get to him before he wriggled his slinky body all the way in. We always joked that he was going in there to a magic land, and so that is how the story came to be.

As promised, here is the picture of Mojo,

the little rascal!

What did you say? A word of the day!

That is right! In our story there are many juicy words that are fun to learn and say! I am going to post a word or two or three from the story that would be fun to try to use in your conversations throughout the week.

Scamper: To run or go quickly and lightly. A quick light run or movement.

Smidgen: A very small amount.

Wriggle: To twist to and fro; writhe; squirm.
To move along by twisting and turning the body, as a worm or snake.

FAN ART

What did you picture while you were listening to the story? What was your favorite scene? What did the inside of the couch look like? We would love to see how you pictured our story! Send us a picture of your favorite scene or anything that has to do with the story. Submit the pictures to www.nightlightstories@gmail.com. I will post these illustrated works of art as I receive them. We look forward to seeing your imaginations at work! As always, keep your light and minds glowing bright!

SHARE IT!

Feel free to contact me at my website, nightlightstories@gmail.com with any comments or suggestions you may have. I have just begun my journey with podcasting and blogging and would love to hear from you! Keep your minds glowing brightly!

Night Light Stories is also available for free on iTunes!

JUST ADD IMAGINATION!

Try these activities to keep your imagination glowing after hearing the story.

1. A male ferret weighs about 2.5 pounds. How much do you weigh? Use a scale to find out. Who weights more, you or a ferret?

2. Mojo is a curious ferret, which means he is interested in new things. What are you curious about?

COMPREHENSION CHALLENGE

After listening to the story, can you recall the details to answer these questions?

1. Mojo's parents did not want him to go into the couch. What was their reason?

2. List 2 things Mojo saw when he did wriggle into the couch?

3. What did Mojo share with all the other ferrets that was special to him?