PODCAST UPDATE

The Night Light Stories Household has been busy. This Spring and Summer we packed up and moved to a new house. Before we knew it, the Summer was gone and the school bell was ringing. 

Due to all of this excitement, we're going to be on hiatus. We will be back as soon as possible with new content for your listening pleasure. 

Welcome back to school to all of our listeners! 

Springing into Stories

Spring has not fully sprung, but it's well on its way. To help it along, I thought we'd post some of our stories that remind us of new adventures, taking in all the new life around us and enjoying the turn of the seasons. Won't you join us? 

The Walk: (11:46)

A description from a little boy of all the sights he sees on a walk with his family.

Free audio download: The Walk

Blog with activities: The Walk

The Hike: (13:26)

The sequel to "The Walk" describes the boy's adventures he has on a hike with his family.

Free audio download: The Hike

Blog with activities: The Hike

Pedal Power (14:21)

While learning to ride a bike, a boy learns perseverance breeds confidence.

Free audio download: Pedal Power

Blog with activities: Pedal Power 

Bird Seeds (21:10)

When Agnes, an old woman who lives alone in the woods, discovers a mysterious packet of seeds she finds more than just vegetables can grow in her garden. 

Free audio download: Bird Seeds

Blog with activities: Bird Seeds

The Farm Girl and the Feather (22:59)

A fairy tale that proves warriors and their weapons come in different shapes and sizes.

Free audio download: The Farm Girl and the Feather

Blog with activities: The Farm Girl and the Feather

Mojo's Outdoor Adventure (17:01)

Mojo the ferret takes an unexpected trip outside but will he be able to find a way back in?

Free audio download: Mojo's Outdoor Adventure

Blog with activities: Mojo's Outdoor Adventure

The Turns of the Seasons (13:58)

One by one, the seasons take turns impacting people's lives. 

Free audio download: The Turns of the Seasons

Blog with activities: The Turns of the Seasons

Christmas Tree I Spy

Look at the Christmas tree behind us in the picture below. 

See if you can find the following items hidden in the tree:

1. Hulk action figure
2. Wolverine action figure
3. Superman
4. Minion
5. Four Voodoo Dolls
6. Buffalo Bills brick

7. Ironman

8. A Queen

9. Wonder Woman

10. Furby

11. Cadbury Mini eggs

12. Sock Monkey

13. Storm Trooper

14. T Rex

15. Bearded Dragon

We hope you all have a magical holiday season!

Warm Wishes,

Mr. Chris and Ms. Mel

SPREADING HOLIDAY CHEER...AND STORIES

Hi All,

Grab the hot chocolate, marshmallows, paper, scissors and stapler! Join us in creating some 3D snowflakes to kick off the start of winter! Just follow the link below to the step-by-step video tutorial. Feel free to post your creations on our Facebook Page or send your very own flurry to us at [email protected]! 

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How to Make a 3D Snowflake

 

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And while you're crafting a snowflake, enjoy listening to our collection of holiday stories! Below, you can find all the links to the audio as well as the blog posts with activities. Enjoy and Happy Holidays!

 Chilly's Christmas: (20:08)

An ornament is accidentally placed on the back of the Christmas

 tree and must learn to experience his favorite season using his 

other senses with a little help from his friends!

Free audio download: Chilly's Christmas 

Blog with activities: Chilly's Christmas

       Inky's Christmas: (21:24)

Inky, a nervous octopus, has to figure out a way to control his inking 

so he can attend all of his friends' holiday festivities.

Free audio download: Inky's Christmas

Blog with activities: Inky's Christmas

Red vs. Green: (22:21)

When a team of Christmas elves goes against a team of
St. Patrick's Day in the Holiday Hockey Winter Classic, who will win?

Free audio download: Red vs. Green

Blog with activities: Red vs. Green

Candy Cane Catastrophe (14:56)

Tragedy befalls a boy and his candy cane on a long car 
drive to Grandma's for the holidays.

Free audio download: Candy Cane Catastrophe

Blog with activities: Candy Cane Catastrophe

Sled Ride: (6:06)

A little boy tells of his exciting sled ride down the hill while 

trying to avoid a collision.

Free audio download: Sled Ride

Blog with activities: Sled Ride

Click here to listen to: Ohwhatfunitis (13:33)

Carol is way behind with her Christmas preparations when 

she starts to experience some strange symptoms. 

Can her family step up to help her out?

The Night Before St. Patrick's Day

Hi All,

Are you ready for St. Patrick's Day? We are! Our leprechaun trap is set and ready to see if we can capture one of those lucky, green lads tonight. Did you make a leprechaun trap? We'd love to see it. Feel free to post a picture on our Facebook page. 

To pass the time while you're waiting, you can listen to five of our stories that have a leprechaun as a character. We wish you luck tonight! 

Sláinte

Red vs. Green: (22:21)

When a team of Christmas elves goes against a team of 

St. Patrick's Day leprechauns in the Holiday 

Hockey Winter Classic, who will win?

Free audio download: Red vs. Green

Blog with activities: Red vs. Green

The Leprechaun Trap (6:35)

Two leprechauns are caught in a leprechaun trap and try to find 

different ways to escape.

Free audio download: The Leprechaun Trap

Blog with activities: The Leprechaun Trap

The Spelling Bee (19:01)

A boy prepares for his shot at taking home the spelling bee 

championship. Will he succeed? 

Free audio download: The Spelling Bee

Blog with activities: The Spelling Bee

Clementine's Big Mess (16:05)

Clementine the cupid has lost his magical quiver. 

Can his friends help him find it?

Free audio download: Clementine's Big Mess

Blog with activities: Clementine's Big Mess

A Letter from a Leprechaun (5:30)

A reading of a letter written by Seamus the leprechaun

 detailing how he escaped a leprechaun trap. 

Free audio download: A Letter from a Leprechaun

Blog with activities: A Letter from a Leprechaun

LIGHTING THE WAY WITH WORDS

Lulu and Her Lavender Lion: (12:31)

A girl's journey through her memories with her imaginary friend.
Free audio download: Lulu and Her Lavender Lion
Blog with activities: Lulu and Her Lavender Lion

Do you have a favorite portrait you would like to share? 

Feel free to post your visual definition of portrait on our 

Facebook Page or send it to 
[email protected] so we can post it below.

As always, we look forward to watching the glow 
grow brighter with the many words we can share together.

Episode 35: Bird Seeds

Click here to listen to: Bird Seeds

Hi All,


The summer is in full swing at the Night Light Stories household. We are excited for all the summery adventures we are going to have such as escaping to the beach, visiting with family and friends, kicking back in the kiddie dinosaur pool, and of course, eating as many brightly colored popsicles as we can!  Stay tuned after the story for details about how we can all share our summer activities together.  As you listen to the story, consider the following: What is your favorite hobby/past time?

Summer is when families get to spend the most time together.  It’s an opportunity to laugh together, learn together, and make some lasting memories.  That’s why we here at the Night Light Stories household are sharing an activity a day that you can do together as a family.  We’ve already shared activities such as building a rain gauge, creating a birds’ nest, and using patterns to make yummy fruit kabobs.  You can find details to all of these activities over at the facebook page.  If you do one of these activities, share with others by leaving a comment or picture.  We’d love to see your summer creations!

On Saturday, September 24, 2011, the National Down Syndrome Society will kick off Down Syndrome Awareness Month and Buddy Walk® season in the heart of Times Square in NYC with a video presentation featuring more than 200 individuals with Down syndrome from across the country and around the world. For more information or to submit a photo, click on the link below. Send us your best shot! Time Square video contest information

The deadline for submitting a photo is July 15, 2011 at 11:59pm ET

VORACIOUS VOCABULARY

What did you say? A word of the day! In our story there are many

juicy words that are fun to use and say.

caress: to touch or pat gently to show affection.
compartment: a part or space marked or partitioned off.

perimeter: the border or outer boundary
sprout: to begin to grow;  shoot forth,  as a plant from a seed.

JUST ADD IMAGINATION!

Try these activities to keep your imagination glowing after hearing the story.

1. When you were listening to the story, how many words or phrases did you hear that were a reference to birds? 

2.  Plant a seed and keep track of it's growth using a plant journal. The following website has instructions on planting seeds, recording in a plant journal for different levels of learning, and other engaging activities. http://www.fastplants.org/pdf/activities/seed_challenge.pdf

3.  You can learn more about the birds in our story! Check out this website: http://identify.whatbird.com/mwg/_/0/attrs.aspx  . You type in the bird's name you are looking for and it will bring up an overview, picture, sounds bytes of their call, behavior, and interesting facts. Have fun searching, researching, and learning!

COMPREHENSION CHALLENGE

After listening to the story, can you recall the details to answer these questions?

1. Why were there no animals in the area where Agnes lived?
2. Where did Agnes find the packet of seeds marked "Seeds of Need"?
3. What sound did the four plants make right before they bloomed?
4. Where did each of the birds go once they bloomed from the flowers?
5. Who do each of the birds remind you of?

We want to send out bright birthday wishes to:

John D of San Antionio Texas 

Kerry W of Cambridge, Massachusetts 

Sue H of East Amherst, New York 

Samantha R of Bedford, Massachusetts 

Gianna S of Peabody, Massachusetts

Sandra D 
Seth J

Meme of Georgetown, Massachusetts

Nana of Eden, New York

We hope your day SPARKLED!

*Select fonts used in this post were found at http://www.flamingtext.com/ 

Episode 33: Alien Pursuit

Click here to listen to: Alien Pursuit

Hi All,

We want to send out a special thanks to Mover Rich of the Imagination Movers for recording a bumper for us. Speaking of moving your imagination, our kids have really been showing interest in the Sci-Fi theme lately. They pretend they are either astronauts in outer space or aliens from another world looking for a way to "phone home".  Their story lines are out of this world!  What type of stories do you create using your imagination?

VORACIOUS VOCABULARY

What did you say? A word of the day! In our story there are many

juicy words that are fun to use and say.

apparatus:  any complex instrument or mechanism for a particular purpose.

clamor: a loud uproar

pesky: annoyingly troublesome

pursuit: an effort to secure or attain.

JUST ADD IMAGINATION!

Try these activities to keep your imagination glowing after hearing the story.

1. Download the free app, "Make a Martian". Send us your creation to [email protected] or post them on our Facebook page. Here are some examples:

2. Create your own martian by using this free printable page, "Make Your Own Martian". Send us your creation to [email protected] or post them on our Facebook page.

COMPREHENSION CHALLENGE

After listening to the story, can you recall the details to answer these questions?

1. What does the family use to disable the first ship?

2. What did the boy find on the car when they arrived home?

3. Who gave each other a high five in the car? 

4. Why were the aliens in pursuit of the family?

We want to send out bright birthday wishes to:

Sofia A of New Jersey

Sophie of New York 


Garrett D of Maryland

Grandpa B of New York

We hope your day SPARKLED!

As always we look forward to watching the glow grow brighter with 

the many stories we can share together!

*Select fonts used in this post were found at http://www.flamingtext.com/