Story Cubes Library Center
As you can see, they are really inexpensive! With this set, you get nine dice, each with a different picture on each face. You roll the dice, then create a story with the pictures you see.
Teachers that have used these say that students LOVE them, and even reluctant writers choose Story Cubes for their free choice center. I think they’d work well as a library center for all ages!
You will need to model these for your students before you turn them loose. And, if you want students to create a written product, you can use these graphic organizers from Best Practices 4 Teaching’s TPT store. It’s a 17-page free download!
I’m going to order some Story Cubes from Amazon today and give them a try. I love open-ended activities that allow students to use their imagination. They spend enough time filling in the bubbles, right?
Have you tried Story Cubes in your library? Let us know how it goes!
Let me know how it goes. I bought a set when I got the pop-up books for the math stations but, alas, like most everything I’ve been trying to get started … it keeps getting pushed back and back and back. They are still in a box.
Thanks for the link to the graphic organizers. Rory’s Story Cubes are also available as an iPod app.
I didn’t know about the app. Thanks for sharing that, Leslie! I’m gonna check it out!
How did this go as a center in the library? I’ve used them with success for writing in the classroom in the past, but not sure how to incorporate them as a center for library with such limited time.
Alexis,
In the library, I typically have them respond by drawing. They can take the drawing with them and write about it later. But they can get the main idea of their story started with an illustration, and add the written details later, if they choose to. Some students need practice with the “getting started” step, and I think this is good practice.
Thanks for your question!
Cari