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 X: Comic Cons
Critic's Culture Convention: A Lesson in Laughter
A character learns to appreciate the lighter side of life at a culture convention filled with events, autographs, and a diverse panel discussion.
Talk about it 1. What is the character's name? 2. What did the character think about getting autographs? 3. What did the famous character write in the autograph? 4. What did the character learn at the culture convention? 5. How did the character feel at the end of the story?
Open reading -
Story RAZ Vocabulary X: Dust Bowl Disaster
The Cows' Conservation Adventure
The cows' creative conservation efforts during a drought result in a successful outcome for their grassland and income.
Talk about it 1. How did the drought and erosion affect the cows' grassland? 2. What was Bessie's solution to the economic disaster? 3. How did the cows' conservation efforts change their lives? 4. Why is it important to conserve water during periods of precipitation?
Open reading -
Story RAZ Vocabulary X: Dust Bowl Disaster2
Jack's Dust-Proof Hat
A man in the Dust Bowl of the Great Depression overcomes dust storms and pneumonia with his friends' help and a giant feather hat.
Talk about it 1. Why did Jack have a problem? 2. What was Jack's friends' solution to help him recover? 3. What happened when Jack wore the giant feather hat during a dust storm? 4. Why did people laugh and smile in the end?
Open reading -
Story RAZ Vocabulary X: Early Moments in Rock Music 2
Juke's Journey: A Tale of Segregation and Song
A jukebox sets out on a journey to find the perfect lyrics to sing with other musical instruments and learns the importance of integration and unity.
Talk about it 1. Why did Juke feel segregated from the other instruments? 2. How did Juke find the perfect lyrics to sing? 3. What did Juke and the other instruments learn about unity and integration? 4. How did the story end for Juke and the other instruments? 5. Why is it important for people to work together even if they are different?
Open reading -
Story RAZ Vocabulary X: Early Moments in Rock Music
Jazzy's Groovy Soundscape: A Tale of Inclusiveness and Unity
A young DJ named Jazzy learns the importance of inclusiveness and unity through music, despite facing discrimination.
Talk about it 1. Why was Jazzy discriminated against at first? 2. What was Jazzy's initial reaction to the discrimination? 3. Who did Jazzy seek advice from and what did they tell him? 4. How did Jazzy influence the people at the hangout with his music? 5. What did Jazzy learn about discrimination and music?
Open reading -
Story RAZ Vocabulary X: Egypt
The Mosque That Became a Giant Watering Can
A man becomes leader of a delta by turning the mosque into a giant watering can, bringing laughter and prosperity to the community.
Talk about it 1. Why did the man turn the mosque into a giant watering can? 2. How did the man become leader of the delta? 3. What was the result of turning the mosque into a giant watering can? 4. Why did the other leaders laugh when the man presented his plan? 5. What is the main message or lesson from the story?
Open reading -
Story RAZ Vocabulary X: Famous Hispanic Americans A Proud Heritage 2
The Fruit and Vegetable Show Spectacular
Minority of animals team up to put on a hilarious and entertaining production showcasing their fruits and vegetables and win the Fruit and Vegetable Show.
Talk about it - What was the problem the animals faced at the Fruit and Vegetable Show? - How did the minority of animals come up with a solution? - What different roles did the animals take on in the production? - How did the audience react to the show? - What made the show a success according to the story?
Open reading -
Story RAZ Vocabulary X: Famous Hispanic Americans A Proud Heritage
Juan's Cultural Celebration: A Story of Diversity, Heritage, and Citizenship
A young Hispanic boy named Juan celebrates diversity and heritage by organizing a cultural festival to showcase the different backgrounds of individuals in his diverse community.
Talk about it 1. Why was Juan proud of his heritage? 2. What did Juan learn about being a good citizen? 3. How did Juan involve himself in the community? 4. Why was the festival a success? 5. What message did Juan spread to those around him?
Open reading -
Story RAZ Vocabulary X: Fun By Remote Control
The Remote Control's Misadventure of Importance
A remote control that can modify things into replicas of itself tries to take control of everything but realizes being important also involves knowing how to use control in the right direction.
Talk about it 1. What did the remote control think was important? 2. How did the remote control try to control things? 3. Why was the remote control having trouble maneuvering? 4. What did the remote control learn in the end? 5. Why do you think the remote control went back to being a regular remote control?
Open reading -
Story RAZ Vocabulary X: Fun By Remote Control2
Rusty's Shock-Transmitter Adventure
Rusty, a robot, turns a shock absorber into a transmitter and becomes famous for his unique invention.
Talk about it 1. Why was Rusty sad at the beginning of the story? 2. How did Rusty turn the shock absorber into a transmitter? 3. How did Rusty become famous for his invention? 4. Why did everyone want a "Rusty Shock-Transmitter"? 5. Do you think you could invent something as cool as Rusty's Shock-Transmitter? Why or why not?
Open reading -
Story RAZ Vocabulary X: Grandpa Smoke Jumper
Don the Firefly: A Lesson in Light
A firefly named Don learns to use his light wisely and becomes known for his ability to ignite the most candles with just a single flash.
Talk about it 1. Why was Don proud of his light? 2. What was the goal of the competition in the story? 3. How did Don feel when his light would extinguish? 4. What did Don's mother tell him about his light? 5. How did Don become known as a special firefly?
Open reading -
Story RAZ Vocabulary X: Grandpa Smoke Jumper2
Bojangles the Resilient Bird: A Story of Perseverance
A resilient bird named Bojangles overcomes a barrage of hail stones and a strong gust of wind, demonstrating perseverance and determination.
Talk about it 1. What did Bojangles do when he was hit by hail stones and fell into the lake? 2. How did Bojangles feel after he was able to fly through the wind? 3. What lesson can we learn from Bojangles' story? 4. How can we use resilience in our own lives? 5. Can you think of a time when you had to be resilient?
Open reading -
Story RAZ Vocabulary X: he Hard Stuff All About Bones
The Adventures of Legume and his Hinge Joint
Legume, a dexterous creature with a hinge joint, finds strength for his ligament through eating legumes and becomes known as the most flexible being in the land.
Talk about it 1. What was special about Legume's appendage? 2. How did Legume heal his ligament? 3. What did Legume become known as in the end? 4. Why was bone marrow important in the story? 5. Can you think of another food that might help make your bones stronger?
Open reading -
Story RAZ Vocabulary X: HighSpeed Trains
The Energy Engineer: A Sustainable Adventure
A young engineer named Max solves a problem by finding a sustainable source of energy and boosting his town's economy.
Talk about it 1. Why was Max on a mission to find a new source of energy? 2. How did Max and his friends solve the obstacle with the generator? 3. What was the impact of Max's invention on the environment and economy of the town? 4. What did Max learn about sustainable energy through his journey?
Open reading -
Story RAZ Vocabulary X: Invasion of the Pythons
The Raccoon's Smart Plan: A Tale of Adaptation and Coexistence in the Forest
A group of animals in a forest examine their ecosystem and hold a competition to find a solution for coexisting peacefully, ultimately leading to the raccoon's smart plan winning.
Talk about it 1. Why did the animals need to find a solution to coexist peacefully? 2. How did the raccoon's idea help the animals in the forest? 3. What was the competition about and who won it? 4. What can we learn from the raccoon's plan about adapting and living with others?
Open reading -
Story RAZ Vocabulary X: Invasion of the Pythons2
The Python Battle at the Research Station
Scientists use a robot snake programmed with Python to defeat an invasive species of python that was suffocating and reproducing at their research station.
Talk about it 1. Why did the scientists use a transmitter to track the python? 2. How did the python become so powerful? 3. What was the solution the scientists came up with to defeat the python? 4. Why was the robot snake programmed with Python language? 5. How did the robot snake help restore peace to the research station?
Open reading -
Story RAZ Vocabulary X: Jacey Nova Starship Pilot
The Mischievous Prankster and the Levitating Tendril
A mischievous humanoid's prank goes wrong when a magical tendril refuses to disengage from a levitation simulation, putting his life in peril until his friends come to the rescue.
Talk about it 1. What was Harry's prank about? 2. How did Harry levitate in the air? 3. Why did the tendril refuse to disengage from the simulation? 4. How did Harry's friends help him come down from the levitation? 5. What lesson did Harry learn from his prank gone wrong?
Open reading -
Story RAZ Vocabulary X: Making Big Bolstead Bucks
Max the Capitalist Mouse: A Tale of Investing and Cheese-conomy
A mouse named Max learns about capitalism, the economy and investing, becoming the richest mouse in the cheese-conomy by making wise investments.
Talk about it 1. What did Max learn about capitalism and the economy? 2. How did Max make a profit from his investments? 3. What did Max use his profits for? 4. What does it mean to be a smart consumer? 5. Why is it important to understand the relationship between supply, demand, and profit?
Open reading -
Story RAZ Vocabulary X: Malala the Brave
Max the Activist: A Funny Journey to Prime Minister
Max the Activist uses his dedication, challenge, and sense of humor to reach his goal of becoming the prime minister and supporting his region.
Talk about it 1. What did Max want to achieve in the story? 2. How did Max show dedication and receive support from his community? 3. What creative solution did Max come up with to become the next prime minister? 4. Why do you think Max’s stand-up act was successful? 5. What can you learn from Max’s journey to becoming the prime minister?
Open reading -
Story RAZ Vocabulary X: Malala the Brave2
The Taliban's Lesson in Laughter
A group of Taliban learn the importance of finding joy in life from a group of silly fundamentalists at the United Nations.
Talk about it 1. Why did the Taliban visit the United Nations? 2. How did the fundamentalists at the United Nations react to the Taliban's arrival? 3. What did the Taliban learn from the fundamentalists about enjoying life? 4. Why is it important to find time for fun and laughter in life? 5. Can you think of a time when you learned an important lesson from someone unexpected?
Open reading -
Story RAZ Vocabulary X: Malik Had a House
Timmy and the Power of Interest
Timmy learns about the power of interest and saves up to become a bank manager to help people facing financial difficulties.
Talk about it 1. What did Timmy's parents tell him about their financial situation? 2. How did Timmy feel about his parent's financial situation? 3. Who did Timmy meet at the bank? 4. What did Timmy learn from the bank manager? 5. What did Timmy decide he wanted to do when he grew up? 6. Why was Timmy determined to save every penny he got?
Open reading -
Story RAZ Vocabulary X: Meeting Mrs Pierce
Burt's New Chapter: A Tale of Understanding
A little brownstone learns about prejudice and starts a new chapter in his life by spreading kindness and respect to those who are different from him.
Talk about it 1. Why did Burt decide to change his ways? 2. How did Burt help bring people of different backgrounds together? 3. What can you learn from Burt's story about treating others with kindness and respect?
Open reading -
Story RAZ Vocabulary X: Meeting Mrs Pierce2
The Gad-Toting Suffragette: A Vaudeville Tale of Corsets and Ratification
A vaudeville performer overcomes unseemly mishaps to become the first female leader in her town through her fight for suffrage and her use of a noisy gadget, Mentholatum, and a tight corset.
Talk about it 1. What was Elsie's mission and why was it important to her? 2. How did the audience react when Elsie pulled out the noisy gadget? 3. Why did Elsie refuse to give up her campaign? 4. What were some of the challenges Elsie faced while running for office? 5. How did Elsie become the first female leader in her town?
Open reading -
Story RAZ Vocabulary X: Miguel and King Arthur
The Knight with a Heart of Laughter
A knight named Sir Chuckles teaches his opponent, Sir Grumpy, the true meaning of loyalty and friendship through a humorous duel and tournament.
Talk about it 1. Why did Sir Chuckles forgive Sir Grumpy for cheating during the joust? 2. What did Sir Chuckles teach Sir Grumpy about loyalty? 3. How did Sir Chuckles show he was a true knight? 4. What did Sir Grumpy feel after the tournament? 5. How did Sir Chuckles and Sir Grumpy become friends?
Open reading