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Crane School Blog: Focus on Learning

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"Tell me a story"
Karen Ohrn

“Tell me a story” was a frequent phrase heard on many beloved car trips when I was a kid. This was back in the day long before screens on the back of car seats and smartphones stole our attention. My dad was the storyteller and we loved hearing about our favorite characters. My siblings and I still remember some of the tales he told us over 40 years ago...

“Tell me a story” was a frequent phrase heard on many beloved car trips when I was a kid. This was back in the day long before screens on the back of car seats and smartphones stole our attention. My dad was the storyteller and we loved hearing about our favorite characters. My siblings and I still remember some of the tales he told us over 40 years ago.

There is something magical about listening to a story. A good storyteller or narrator can capture your attention and keep you on the edge of your seat. They can bring you to tears or cause you to double over in laughter. That is one of the reasons why I still love listening to stories. My dad doesn’t tell as many stories anymore, but I have found amazing stories to listen to on Audible.com.

Today, my family and I will listen to the same story and then spend time discussing plot twists and laughing together over funny lines we heard. I think it is more important now than ever before to be intentional in our efforts as families to draw closer together. The next time you are preparing for a family road trip, be bold and temporarily collect everyone’s personal entertainment devices and headphones and stash them in the trunk. Consider telling a story to your kids or downloading a story to listen to that will engage the whole family. The Santa Barbara Public Library has a plethora of stories you can download for free. Tell your family to sit back, relax, and listen together as the story unfolds and draws you in. Good conversation is sure to follow. You will be pleasantly surprised how quickly the time can pass when you are listening to and talking about a great story.

And to get you started, here are a few of my favorite stories to listen to:

For students 5 and older:
Mrs. Piggle Wiggle by Betty MacDonald

For students 8 and older:
Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery
Chasing Vermeer Series by Blue Balliett

For students 10 and older:
The Giver Series by Lois Lowry
Gregor the Overlander Series by Suzanne Collins

And, if you have any great story suggestions for me, I would love to hear them!

Karen Ohrn
Second Grade Teacher

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