Yahaaa · Reading
Stories for the classroom
Short narratives that put vocabulary into a scene a learner can follow. 7,459 on the shelf, each with a discussion question.
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Story RAZ Vocabulary Q: The WeatherBot Warning
Chip the Circuit Board: An Inexperienced Hero's Journey
Chip, an inexperienced circuit board, learns to intensify the power of machines through manipulation and becomes a respected expert in the world of technology.
Talk about it 1. What did Chip learn from the inventor? 2. How did Chip become known as the best circuit board in the land? 3. What kind of adventures did Chip have in the world of machines? 4. Why was Chip eager to learn about his world? 5. How did Chip use his newfound knowledge to help others?
Open reading -
Story RAZ Vocabulary Q: The WeatherBot Warning
The Wizard's Unstable Device Strategy
A wise wizard helps a village fix an unstable device causing unstable weather by creating a strategy and working together as a team.
Talk about it 1. What was the problem in the village? 2. How did the wizard help solve the problem? 3. What did the villagers learn from this experience? 4. Why was it important for the villagers to work together? 5. Why do you think the previous scientist created the unstable device?
Open reading -
Story RAZ Vocabulary Q: Vincents Bedroom
Sketch Haven: A Journey of Encouragement and Creativity
A young artist overcomes discouragement to open her own art studio and create a haven for other artists to come together and be encouraged.
Talk about it 1. Who is the main character in the story? 2. What did the main character want to do? 3. Why was the main character discouraged? 4. What did the main character do to overcome discouragement? 5. What did the main character name her art studio? 6. What was the message of the story?
Open reading -
Story RAZ Vocabulary Q: Vincents Bedroom
The Glistening Masterpiece: A New Version in the Museum
A new version of a painting causes initial despair among visitors to a museum, but ultimately becomes a beloved and appreciated addition to the collection.
Talk about it 1. What was the mood of the painting in the museum? 2. How did the visitors feel about the new version of the painting? 3. Why did the curator suggest the visitors look at the painting with an open mind? 4. How did the visitors feel about the painting after looking at it with an open mind? 5. Why was the museum even more magical after the new version of the painting was added?
Open reading -
Story RAZ Vocabulary Q: Walking in Roman Footsteps
Maria's Adventure at the Roman Forum
A little girl named Maria explores the Roman Forum and attends a show at a teatro, creating wonderful memories.
Talk about it 1. Where did Maria live? 2. What did Maria see at the Roman Forum? 3. What kind of show did Maria attend at the teatro? 4. What did Maria do after the show? 5. Why was Maria happy and grateful?
Open reading -
Story RAZ Vocabulary Q: Walking in Roman Footsteps
A Taste of Ancient Rome
A boy named Marco explores ancient Rome, learning about its history and culture, while enjoying gelato and panini.
Talk about it 1. What landmarks did Marco visit in Rome? 2. What was Marco's native tongue? 3. What did Marco imagine as he enjoyed his gelato and panini? 4. How did Marco feel about being a part of Rome's rich history?
Open reading -
Story RAZ Vocabulary Q: Why Abe Lincoln Grew a Beard
Mr. Mustache: A President with a Heart of Gold
A president who values people's opinions receives praise from kids for his mustache and beard and is grateful for their support.
Talk about it 1. What do you think the president learned from receiving opinions from the kids? 2. Why do you think the president valued the opinions of the kids? 3. How do you think the president felt when the kids told him they liked his mustache and beard? 4. Can you think of a time when someone valued your opinion? 5. Why is it important for leaders to listen to the opinions of others?
Open reading -
Story RAZ Vocabulary Q: Why Abe Lincoln Grew a Beard2
Lily's Regret and the Grandmother's Suggestion
A young girl learns the importance of following her heart and avoiding regrets through a letter from her grandmother.
Talk about it 1. What was the suggestion that Lily's grandmother gave her in the letter? 2. How did Lily feel when she realized she couldn't remember the suggestion? 3. Why was it important for Lily to follow her grandmother's suggestion? 4. How did Lily's life change after following the suggestion?
Open reading -
Story RAZ Vocabulary Q: Zookeeping
Tom the Zookeeper and the Sleeping Giraffe
A zookeeper named Tom protects a sleeping giraffe from vultures in the hoofed animal exhibit.
Talk about it - What was the problem with the giraffe? - Why did Tom call the vet? - What did the vultures want to do? - How did Tom help the giraffe? - What happened when the giraffe woke up?
Open reading -
Story RAZ Vocabulary R: Alaska The Last Frontier
Jack's Tundra Adventure: A Story of Entrepreneurship and Conservation
A young adventurer discovers a delicacy in the Arctic tundra, starts a successful business, and uses his wealth to preserve the tundra for future generations.
Talk about it 1. What did Jack want to do when he set off into the wilderness? 2. Why did Jack decide to preserve the delicacy he found? 3. How did Jack's business change the economy in his village? 4. How did Jack use his wealth to help protect the tundra and its wildlife? 5. What value is emphasized in this story?
Open reading -
Story RAZ Vocabulary R: All About Chocolate
Juan's Chocolate Adventure
Juan, a cacao farmer, learns about fermentation and conching to make delicious chocolate and overcome challenges on his plantation.
Talk about it 1. What did Juan learn about making chocolate? 2. Why was Juan proud of his cacao plants? 3. How did Juan make the chocolate taste better? 4. What happened when a mole dug a hole in the plantation? 5. What made Juan successful in making delicious chocolate?
Open reading -
Story RAZ Vocabulary R: All About Kites
The Inventor and the Elaborate Fishhook: A Legend is Born.
Max the inventor creates an elaborate fishhook that becomes a legend, leading him to be appointed as the official fishhook maker for the kingdom.
Talk about it 1. What made Max's fishhooks special? 2. How did Max become famous for his invention? 3. What was the king's reaction to Max's fishhook demonstration? 4. How did Max's life change after he became the official fishhook maker for the kingdom?
Open reading -
Story RAZ Vocabulary R: An Apple a Day
The Discovery of Nutrition and Supplements.
A wise dinosaur discovers the importance of nutrition and supplements for a healthy life in prehistoric times.
Talk about it 1. What did the animals eat before they learned about nutrition? 2. Who discovered that certain foods had special powers? 3. What did the wise old animal suggest to help other animals stay healthy? 4. What are supplements and how do they give you all the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients your body needs? 5. Why did the animals never fall sick after discovering supplements?
Open reading -
Story RAZ Vocabulary R: Animal Discoveries
The Adventure of Dr. Smart and the Remote Remain
A scientist discovers an ancient artifact in a remote area that he uses to control the elements and help the people in a nearby village.
Talk about it 1. What was the strange remain that Dr. Smart discovered in the jungle? 2. How did Dr. Smart study the artifact from a safe distance? 3. What was the artifact capable of doing? 4. How did Dr. Smart use the artifact to help the villagers? 5. Why were the villagers grateful for Dr. Smart's help?
Open reading -
Story RAZ Vocabulary R: April Fools
The Bologna Prank & The Lessons Learned
A group of friends learn the importance of evidence in protests after being punished for playing a prank involving bologna.
Talk about it 1. Why do you think the teacher assigned the friends to write a report on the importance of evidence in protests? 2. How did the friends feel about their punishment at first? 3. What did the friends learn about protests and evidence by the end of the story? 4. Why do you think it is important for people to have evidence in protests? 5. What would you have done if you were in the friends' place?
Open reading -
Story RAZ Vocabulary R: Arrows
The Choctaw Code Talker: A Tale of Brave Interpretation.
A smart and brave Choctaw warrior uses his language skills to decode secret messages and help his tribe win battles.
Talk about it 1. What was the Choctaw tribe trying to protect? 2. How did the Choctaw Code Talker help his tribe during battles? 3. What was the secret code based on? 4. What was the ancient language used in the message the Choctaw Code Talker received? 5. Why was the Choctaw Code Talker respected and admired by his tribe?
Open reading -
Story RAZ Vocabulary R: Bessie Coleman
John the Barnstorming Manicurist: A Tale of Dreams and Adventure
A sharecropper turned mechanic and manicurist, John, becomes a legendary barnstormer with his biplane, the Curtiss Jenny, performing daring tricks and inspiring others to follow their dreams.
Talk about it 1. Who was John, and what did he want to become? 2. How did John meet Tom the barnstormer? 3. What inspired John to enlist in the army as a mechanic? 4. What was John's nickname, and why did he earn it? 5. How did John share his love of aviation with others?
Open reading -
Story RAZ Vocabulary R: Blue Whales Giant Mammals
The Baby Whale's Arctic Adventure
A baby whale learns to navigate and find food in the Arctic Ocean with the help of its mother and the use of its blubber, baleen, fluke, esophagus and sonar.
Talk about it 1. What is the baby whale's favorite food? 2. How does the baby whale communicate with other whales? 3. What makes the baby whale's body warm in the cold Arctic waters? 4. How does the baby whale use its baleen plates to find food? 5. How long does it take for a mother whale to have a baby?
Open reading -
Story RAZ Vocabulary R: Charlenes Sea of Cortez Journal
The Inflatable Adventures of Sarah & the Boojum on Isla
Sarah made a new friend with the strange creature Boojum on Isla through their love of playing with inflatable toys.
Talk about it 1. What is the name of the creature that Sarah met on Isla? 2. What was the first toy that Sarah and the Boojum played with together? 3. What did Sarah bring the next time she visited Isla? 4. How would you describe the friendship between Sarah and the Boojum? 5. Can you think of other fun things that Sarah and the Boojum might have done together?
Open reading -
Story RAZ Vocabulary R: Charlenes Sea of Cortez Journal
The Secret of the Boojum Island
A group of friends explore a mysterious island and discover secrets about its history while searching for fossils and encountering a mythical sea monster.
Talk about it 1. What did the friends find on the boojum raft? 2. What did the terns lead the friends to discover? 3. What did the friends promise the scientists? 4. Why did the friends go on adventures? 5. What did the friends learn about the island's history?
Open reading -
Story RAZ Vocabulary R: Expedition 25 The Subtropics
The Desalination Discovery
A young girl saves a civilization by inventing a way to preserve their water resources through desalination.
Talk about it 1. Why was the civilization having trouble with their water sources? 2. What was the young girl's solution to the water shortage problem? 3. How did the people of the civilization feel about the young girl's plan at first? 4. What was the result of the young girl's hard work? 5. What does the story teach us about preserving resources and finding creative solutions to problems?
Open reading -
Story RAZ Vocabulary R: Expedition 40 The Secret of the Seasons
The Defenders of the Peninsula Peninsula
A group of people in a peninsula protect their land and culture from an invader using the power of currents and their knowledge.
Talk about it -What was the main conflict in the story? -How did the people of the peninsula defend their land from the invader? -What did the invader try to do to conquer the peninsula? -What happened to the invader's ship in the end? -What did the people of the peninsula learn from this experience?
Open reading -
Story RAZ Vocabulary R: Expedition 60 The Subarctic
The Aurora Adventure at the Fortress Inlet
A group of adventurous children explore a magical inlet surrounded by a fortress and experience the stunning aurora borealis.
Talk about it 1. Why did the children want to explore the fortress? 2. What did the children see when they entered the fortress? 3. How did the warriors feel about the children at first? 4. What did the children promise to do before they left the fortress? 5. What did the children learn from their adventure at the fortress?
Open reading -
Story RAZ Vocabulary R: Expedition 60 The Subarctic
The Canal Adventure: Exploring the Power of Currents and Solstices in the Northern Hemisphere
A group of kids explore a canal, its channels and the unique climate and solstices of the northern hemisphere to learn about the power of currents.
Talk about it 1. What was the canal in the story and why was it important? 2. Where was the land located and what was the climate like there? 3. What did the children learn about the solstice in the northern hemisphere? 4. Why was the current in the canal strong? 5. How did the children feel at the end of their journey?
Open reading