Video How-tos
- Teacher's Guide to Using Storia
- How do I get started? >
- How do I use Storia's features? >
- How can I use Storia for instruction? >
- How do the assessment and report tools help? >
- How do I tell parents about Storia? >
- Tips for Teaching With Storia
- Downloadable Resources
- Video How-tos
- Teaching Guides for Storia Books
- More Book Resources
Determine the Skill Highlighting for Comprehension
I highlight specific components in advance and ask my students why I highlighted those specific words and phrases. I do this for partners so there can be a discussion between students. For example, the student says, "I can tell you highlighted examples of cause and effect because..."
— Victoria Jasztal, Moton Elementary School, Brooksville, Fla.
Rotating Storia so Every Student Gets to Be an eReader
In my classroom, I created a management log to keep track of students who use Storia. After the first set of students read their eBooks to completion, they pass along their Storia device to the next student in the reading rotation listed on the chart. The log is displayed on chart paper and made visible for all students to see. Students even got to enter their Storia reading information onto the chart starting with their name, Storia device number, eBook title, reading start date, and reading finishing date. This procedure made my students accountable for their reading and Storia devices, along with helping me stay organized and keep track of my students' eReading progress. This procedure made my students accountable for their reading and Storia devices, along with helping me stay organized and keep track of my students' eReading progress.
— Debbie Tomassello, P.S. 33, Chelsea Prep, New York, N.Y.
Use Storia for Literature Circles Using Storia in Literature Circles
I ask students to complete a task once they have reached an assigned page. Student jobs are assigned, and students use the notepad feature in Storia to complete jobs and share thoughts about the book. When students make a note on the notepad they also include their initials so that we know who the comment is from.
— Jennifer Solis, Eucalyptus Elementary School, Hesperia, Calif.
iPad / I Record
For accountability purposes, I have students record their responses to Storia activities on a large (5" x 8") index card. At the top of the card they have their name and the title "iPad / I Record." After completing an enriched activity, the students write down the date, the name of the activity, and their response or result. When I check in with the group, they bring their index cards to the book club discussion, and we discuss their answers.
— Marissa Ochoa, Valley Elementary School, Poway, Calif.
Creating Storia Bookshelves
Skies the limit when setting up your Storia bookshelves. There are numerous ways to set up bookshelves depending on the needs of your class and students. If you use a guided reading program you can set up bookshelves for each reading level reflected in your classroom. If you want to foster cooperation and collaboration you can set your bookshelves with the names of partnerships of book clubs. Then students within those partnerships and book clubs can share and discuss the books together. A bookshelf for each individual student in your class can also be created.
— Michele Higgins, Midland Elementary School, Paramus, N.J.
Question and Answer
I ask students a higher-order inferring question regarding one page of the story. They then use the highlighter to highlight hints that helped them to respond. It is never a question with a direct answer. It is an "author and me" QAR question. Students can also use the "post-it note" feature to note their thinking.
— Victoria Jasztal, Moton Elementary School, Brooksville, Fla.