Saturday, September 22, 2012

Storybird to teach the Imperfect


UPDATE (again): If you have asked for access to this book in the last year and you wrote your email in your comment, you should have received a PDF of the story in an email tonight, February 3, 2020.

The Storybird website USED TO BE FREE for teachers to use. They know charge a monthly fee or if a teacher wants a copy of the story s/he wrote, s/he has to pay a one-time download fee to be able to share the story with others. I paid to download the story. If you would like a copy of the PDF, leave a comment below, or BETTER YET, send me an email at: cynthia underscore hitz at yahoo dot com 
and I will send the PDF to you.

If you commented below and said you want access to it, but you didn’t leave an email, there is no way I can send it to you.

Update 7/22/19: I don't know what is going on with this site, but I had to UPDATE the link again. Try THIS LINK to view the story. 

UPDATE 4/24/19: Storybird is changing some of its settings. As of today THIS LINK works.

There is a public community library 10 minutes from my house with a huge Spanish section.  I have found many books there to use in class, but one problem that I encounter when looking for books for my lower level Spanish classes is that there are not many that limit the vocabulary.  

Over a year ago I was looking for a book that used the verb GUSTAR so my students could see GUSTAR used in context, with illustrations.  I looked through their huge collection, but came up empty.  I went to the Storybird site and created my own story that used gustar.

For the first time in many years, I am teaching a Spanish 2 class this semester. I started my Spanish 2 students with the present tense because I thought I needed to get them all to the same "place" with their abilities.  After a week or two, I gave up on that idea and decided to jump in and start telling stories using past tenses.  I did as the experts say - I chose 3 structures (quería, fue, no lo encontró) and started asking a story.  We've had 2 more stories with the past tense since then so the students are getting used to hearing the new endings on the verbs.  This week, I'd like to read a story to them that has illustrations and uses a lot of imperfect tense, but has limited vocabulary.  Instead of making the trip to the library, I turned to Storybird again and wrote "El mejor regalo para Pablo"
(The storybird site does not allow teachers to make stories public if they are not in English.  Therefore, links to stories that are public in another languages are sometimes deleted. Try THIS LINK to view "El mejor regalo para Pablo".  If that still does not work, send me an e-mail or leave a comment with your e-mail address and I can send it to you.)

UPDATE 9-30-12:  I made a PowerPoint quiz based on this Storybird book. 
HERE is the 15-pt quiz I gave me students.

If you have a few spare minutes, please do me the favor of reading the story and leaving your suggestions or ideas in ways to improve it.  I'm not happy with the title, but I haven't had any inspirations yet on how to change it. And, by all means, if there is a grammar error that I overlooked, I ask that you point that out to me so there are no errors when I read it to my students later this week.

Thanks for your help!

94 comments:

  1. Genial! Your book is fantastic and will see action in my classroom. How long did it take you to make it?

    Pura vida,
    Noah Geisel
    www.twitter.com/senorg

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks, Noah! Glad to hear that you'll be able to use the book.

    I did it one night while watching a TV program. Typing the words on each page goes quickly, but the pictures are layered on top of each other so you have to drag them to the side to be able to see what is hidden underneath them. What takes the most time for me is creating and matching/fitting a story with the artwork that is available. (Creative thinking time)

    Cynthia

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    Replies
    1. Hola señora Hitz,

      My students like the story "El mejor regalo para Pablo". It is a great story to practice the imperfect tense. Unfortunately, the link to the story is broken. Could you provide a new link or send me the story? Thank you so much!
      Didier

      Delete
  3. I love it! Thanks for the introduction to Storybird as it's the perfect way for my students to do the story project we've got lined up for next week. I created one as an example and you're right that it takes some time to sift through artwork and creative thinking, I'm impressed with yours!

    May I use it in my class as well? :) Gracias, Kristin

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  4. Thanks Kristin and you may certainly use it in class. If you or your students are willing to share you Storybirds with me, I'd love to read them. :)

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  5. Thank you for creating this! This will be perfect for going over the imperfect with my class. It is very creative and an interesting story :-) Is it okay if I use it in my class? If so, can you please email it to me? The link doesn't always work for me :-/

    Thanks!

    Christina (favelac@esuhsd.org)

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    Replies
    1. You may CERTAINLY use it in class with your students. If it helps them, then BRAVO! I will email it to you.

      Thanks for the kind words, Cristina.

      Delete
  6. This is a great book that you have written! I have been searching for simple Spanish books and didn't find many. But this is exactly what I've been looking for! The vocabulary is perfect for beginner/intermediates. May I print it for my classroom? Could you email it to me? ( We don't have the fancy pro boards at our little school.)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Señora Martin,
      Sometimes it's actually easier for me to make my own materials than find exactly what I want. But, that takes time, so I'm glad you have use for it too. :-)
      Please feel free to print it for your classroom. Do you still want me to send it to you? If so, I'll need your email address.

      Delete
    2. This is just beautiful! We are hoping to use it in our Spanish II class. Could you also send it to me? I would be very appreciative.
      Thanks
      Jenna
      jbryant@ms.k12.il.us

      Delete
    3. I love your story and the way that you approach the lesson on imperfect, please send me any handouts or power points.

      Delete
  7. Hola!
    I think that the storybird is such a neat idea but I can't open it! Could you send it to me?
    Gracias
    Casey

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Clancy
      Copy and paste this link to see if it works: http://storybird.com/books/el-mejor-regalo-para-pablo/?token=akxjdxh7vv
      OR...click on Storybird to see if that works:
      Storybird
      If the link doesn't work, let me know in this comment section and include your email address. I can send the Storybird directly from the website if I have your email. I will not publish your comment so your email will not be posted on this blog if you want to keep it private.

      Delete
    2. Clancy - Are you clicking on the words THIS LINK? I tried it again when I was logged out of Storybird and it worked.

      Delete
  8. Hi, great activities, but I am trying to find the story in Storybird and it says it doesn't exist. Could you send me the link? I would like to use with my students.Thanks a lot
    Esther Vieira

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  9. I just found one answer and got the This Link. Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hola senora,

    Me gusta el cuento mucho... gracias por "publicarlo." Una pregunta: on the last page, you wrote "vivieron felices para siempre." Why "vivieron" and not "vivian?"

    Gracias,
    Lynn Martin

    ReplyDelete
  11. Me gusta el libro mucho!! ? Puede mandarmelo? Quiero usarlo en mi clase.
    Muchas gracias,
    Anne
    acabal@cbasyracuse.org

    ReplyDelete
  12. Solo tengo que hacer una corrección. La frase que dice "Su abuela le contaba cuentos de cuando ella era niña." Debería ser..."...cuando él era niño.", porque es Pablo quién la abuela se los contaba. Aparte de eso....es perfecto. Gracias por compartir este sitio con nosotros.
    Señora Shaw

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Christina - to clarify...
      The grandmother used to tell stories to him about when SHE was a little girl; therefore I used "cuando ella era niña".

      Delete
  13. Hola Señora Hitz,

    Wow! Thank you so much for sharing your work and your resources. I am a 1st year teacher in a rural setting with very few resources. This story is a great reading level for my Spanish II classes, and a great way to introduce the imperfect (the last concept we are covering this year). I like the story line and the simple nature of the story because it is easy for the students to understand the characters and what is taking place. Thank you for being willing to share and open to suggestions!
    Montón de gracias,

    Lydia

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  14. Felicitaciones! Es un libro bellísimo con el vocabulario adecuado para los estudiantes que hasta ahora empiezan a trabajar con el imperfecto.
    Gracias por compartir.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hola, el libro es genial:) Muchas gracias por compartirlo con nosotros. Hoy he empezado a utilizar esta herramienta para mis clases de español y estoy planeando contar una historia sobre las memorias de la infancia para enseñar Imperfecto. Pero tengo una pregunta importante : ¿cómo puedo elegir los imagenes adecuados para mi historia? He visto que hay muchas categorías y etiquetas pero no he podido hacerlo.

    Gracias de antemano:)

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  16. This is fantastic!! Thank you for sharing your hard work with fellow teachers! I would love to use this with my Spanish II class. Would you be able to send me the link?

    Muchas gracias,
    Amy
    aspoth@fcsd.wnyric.org

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. copy and paste this link: http://storybird.com/books/el-mejor-regalo-para-pablo/?token=akxjdxh7vv

      OR scroll up and you'll see a comment in which I replied to "Clancy". Look for "storybird" in grey type and click on it and it will take you to the book.

      Delete
  17. THANK YOU! I love storybird and have been using it as my final project in Spanish II (pret v. imperfect) for a few years now. My only questions is do you know any way to make/insert accents on storybird.com. My students are working in chromebook so they don't have microsoft word available to type in first. Thanks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We have Macs at our school and adding accents is not a problem. Sorry, I have never used a Chromebook.
      There used to be a website that you could type accents on because the vowels with accents were in a box to the side that you could click in when you needed them, but I don't remember the name of that site.

      Have you googled for information on typing accents with Chromebooks?

      Delete
  18. I love this story! Is there anyway to make it full screen? thanks so much for sharing

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes. Click on the words "THIS LINK" in the blog post above at the end of the 3rd paragraph. Then look for the 4 arrows icon on the bottom right of the book and it will make it full screen.

      Delete
  19. Muchas gracias. I used this today in class with my Spanish II students. Great addition to class! :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. How do you get the accent marks in Storybird ? I can't seem to find a way to put them in.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jenny,
      It's been years since I created this story on Storybird so I honestly don't remember if I did anything special to get the accents. I have a MacBook Pro so I usually type OPTION E and the next vowel will be placed under the accent mark.
      Have you tried typing your script on a document and then copying and pasting it? Maybe that will work.
      Cynthia

      Delete
  21. How do you get the accent marks? I can't seem to find a way to include them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It has been years since I created the story. If there isn't an option to type the accents on your computer that Storybird accepts, I may have typed the text on word and then copied it. Honestly, I do not remember how I did it but I usually use the keys on my Mac to type the accents and most websites acknowledge those characters.

      Delete
  22. ¡Qué chévere! Me encantó tu historia. Es magnífica para repasar el imperfecto. Gracias por tu creatividad, tiempo y generosidad.
    ¡Dios le bendiga!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Thank you for sharing your story! I used it as an example for my students, and next they are going to create their own stories using Storybird. How did you create the shareable link you've posted here in your post? I tried to email myself the sample story I created, but the link I receive via email doesn't look like yours.

    Mil gracias,
    Señorita Donohue

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I made the link years ago and I don't remember how I did it. I DO know that at first it didn't work so I had to try several times until it actually worked.
      Have you tried sending a message to the company/website for help with the link?

      I bet your students had fun writing the stories, and if you are like me, you had even more fun reading what they wrote. :-)

      Delete
  24. ¡Muchísimas gracias por compartir este cuento! I'm going to begin the imperfect tomorrow and didn't want to start explicitly explaining with a grammar lesson. I thought this story would allow them to recognize and identify what the endings are for different verbs. Have you ever used it this way?

    ReplyDelete
  25. ¡Muchísimas gracias por haber creado y compartido este cuento! If it's okay, I thought I'd use it to introduce the imperfect in class tomorrow, instead of using an explicit grammar lesson. Have you ever used it this way? They could make a list of verbs they recognize, and they could identify patterns.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You may use the story in whatever way you think it will be most beneficial to your students. I think students will enjoy the story and using the language in story format instead of studying the grammar of the story, as you suggest for your lesson. Yay!

      It has been six years since I wrote the story and my teaching continues to evolve. I use the story in level 2 (I teach levels 2, 4 & 4+) but not as an introduction of the imperfect. I use both the preterit and the imperfect together from the start and teach the verbs as vocabulary just as I teach nouns as vocabulary, in context of course. I now use the story for additional comprehensible input on talking about things someone used to do.
      Have fun with it! :-)
      C. Hitz

      Delete
  26. Hola-
    I cannot get enough of all of the items you put up! Do you have a PPT copy of this story? I would love to show it in class that way!
    Thanks!
    sagastume.ambar@tusd.org

    ReplyDelete
  27. I just want to say that I absolutely love your blog! I am a second year Spanish teacher who believes in sharing free resources. I teach in NC and do not have the funds nor the time to purchase/create the best materials for my scholars. I have a Spanish immersion class and run into the same issue with stories! Thank you so much for sharing. I will be tailoring the materials to the style my scholars are accustomed to in my class.

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  28. I am not able to access the story El mejor regalo para Pablo please send to my email address: awashingto@bethelsd.org. I am currently teaching Spanish 2 and we are going over the imperfect tense.

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  29. Please send to my email address I am not able to access El mejor regalo para Pablo. Thanks for providing the resource. My email address is awashingto@bethelsd.org

    ReplyDelete
  30. Hello!
    I have used this story many years in my classroom, and suddenly the link does not work! It takes me to storybook, but says the page is not found. Do you have any suggestions for me? It is a terrific lesson, and I will be sad if unable to find it again!
    Thank you for any help!
    Melanie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. go to the top of the blog post and click on the update where it says THIS LINK

      Delete
    2. That one doesn't work anymore either

      Delete
  31. Love the story and have used it before, but now I can't get any links to work! Any way you could send it to me? Gracias :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. go to the top of the post and read the update. Click on the words THIS LINK to take you to the story.

      Delete
  32. I love the story and have used it in class before, but now I can't get any links to work. Any way you can email it to me? Gracias :)

    ReplyDelete
  33. It sounds like a great lesson and story. I tried your link in the description and a link in one of the comments. None of those will open a story. I would love to use your story, with your permission, with my level 2 students. Thanks!
    lhseffler@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I emailed the link to you or you can find it at the top of this post where it says UPDATE.

      Delete
  34. I am really interested in your story and lesson. I would love to use it with my level 2 students with your permission. However, I am unable to open the story with the link in the description or with a link in one of the comments. Would you be able to send it to me?
    efflerl@mercymcauley.org

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I emailed the link to you. You can also find it at the top of this post where it says UPDATE.

      Delete
  35. The link with Storybird isn't working anymore :( Do you happen to have it saved somewhere else?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Try this link
      https://previous.storybird.com/books/el-mejor-regalo-para-pablo/?token=akxjdxh7vv
      You will have to copy it and paste it.

      Delete
    2. That one does not work anymore either :(

      Delete
    3. These links still don't seem to be working. Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful story - if you have a fresh link, I would greatly appreciate it!

      Delete
    4. Hola Señora Hitz,

      I love the story! Unfortunately, the link is broken. Could you share it with me at didierenchicago@yahoo.com
      Thanks!

      Delete
  36. Señora Hitz,
    La historia y el quiz son lo mismo? Puedo ver el quiz pero no el cuento original. Si son diferentes, podría por favor compartirla? Mi correo es edilmave@hotmail.com. Me encantaria usarlo en mi clase.
    Muchas gracias!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Hello, great story! I have used it in my class before, but I am unable to open it via the provided links. I would love to be able to use the story again. I would greatly appreciate it if you could please send it to me. My email is skenkruger@gmail.com. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Hello! I'm not able to access it using the link https://previous.storybird.com/books/el-mejor-regalo-para-pablo/?token=akxjdxh7vv
    Do you happen to have a new link? Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  39. Hi There,

    I tried to access this story using the links in your comments and at the top of the page, but none of them work. I've thoroughly enjoyed using this story for years in my Spanish 2 class. Will you email me a direct link?
    kbeers@jcs-inc.org
    Thank you so much!

    ReplyDelete
  40. Unfortunately even the new, updated 7/19 link isn't working. Can you post an updated one?

    ReplyDelete
  41. Any chance this is updated? Still not working

    ReplyDelete
  42. Dang! It looks like the Storybird isn't working again. I tried the links in the post and the one you provided in April. It's too bad that Storybird isn't more reliable, it seems like a great resource!

    ReplyDelete
  43. Dang! It looks like the Storybird isn't working again. I tried the links in the post and the one you provided in July 2019. It's too bad that Storybird isn't more reliable, it seems like a great resource!

    ReplyDelete
  44. Hi Señora Hitz,
    I used your story last year and it was perfect for my lesson. I just tried all the links that you posted, but none of them worked. Is there a way that I can still access this?
    Thank you so much for your awesome work!
    Best,
    Lori

    ReplyDelete
  45. Hi- The Storybird link to it doesn't work any more. I tried all of the links. Is there a digital copy (powerpoint) that you would be willing to share with me?
    Thank you!
    aweir@whitnall.com

    ReplyDelete
  46. Hola!

    Me encantaria probar con este libro, pero ninguno de los links parece funcionar. Crees que me podrias enviar el libro/ link?

    Gracias!
    lupe.gomez@stratfordhall.ca

    ReplyDelete
  47. Hi
    I know many have said that they cant locate the story because the link doesnt work. The above suggestion to copy and paste the link no longer works. Do you have any other suggestions?
    Thanks so much!

    ReplyDelete
  48. Hi, I'm trying to use the story el mejor regalo, but none of the links are working? Please let me know how I can get access to it? Thank you very mmuch. I love that story.

    ReplyDelete
  49. Hi, I used this last year and my students loved it. I can't find a link that works - could you please send it to me? I'd really appreciate it, thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  50. This is a story I have used in the past too. I would love a PDF copy of the story. ¡Gracias!

    My email ismaureenreed@lindberghschools.ws

    ReplyDelete
  51. Hola , Sra. Hitz, I , too , have used this story in the past, and cannot find a link that is currently functional. I would love to have access to this story, so if you have a link to it, I would be grateful.- Jen

    ReplyDelete
  52. I would also love a pdf copy. Gracias.
    gruziecki@hbuhsd.edu

    ReplyDelete
  53. I have used this story for years! I would love a copy. I tried sending you an email but they are coming back as rejected :(

    vareabi@pewaukeeschools.org

    ReplyDelete
  54. I also have loved using this story in the past. Do you have a PDF copy of the story you can send me? Muchas gracias!
    My email is twood@helenaschools.org

    ReplyDelete
  55. I used this with my students last year. I would love to use it this year again. Please send me a PDF copy. jadiralopez@u-46.org

    ReplyDelete
  56. I have also used your story in the past with your permission. Would you be willing to send me the PDF as well?
    lhseffler@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  57. Hello! Could I get the book? dmarble (@) northlandchristian.org Thank you!!

    ReplyDelete
  58. Hello! Would you please send me a PDF copy? Yaneth86@yahoo.com Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  59. Hi! I've used this story with my students in the past and would love to share it again. The link isn't working. Will you send me a pdf of the book?
    kbeers@jcs-inc.org

    ReplyDelete
  60. Same thing as previous post. I had bookmarked the link to use with my students in a curriculum I only do every other year. Is it possible to receive this story in a pdf or Google Slides? ¡Gracias! jfone@tuslawschools.org

    ReplyDelete
  61. I would love a copy of this great story! Thanks so much!
    prescotts@grafton.k12.ma.us

    ReplyDelete
  62. Me encantaría una copia del cuento también. Muchas gracias :D Kcampbell@lexingtonma.ma

    ReplyDelete
  63. I would love a copy of this story please!
    Thank you so much!

    ReplyDelete
  64. This story is exactly what I've been looking for to introduce the imperfect and preterite tenses used together. Could you please send me the link? cgiannini@comcast.net

    ReplyDelete