Curated Video
Let’s Make It Better!
Mr. Griot models using a rubric and proofreading checklist to revise and edit a story.
Curated Video
Fiction: The Make-Up of a Made-Up Story
Mr. Griot uses the story “Blue Hole” to demonstrate the characteristics of fiction, plot, and conflict resolution.
Curated Video
Fiction Nonfiction Genre: Story Elements
This video focuses on the two main genre of books: fiction and nonfiction. Kids learn aspects of each type of book and then practice naming whether a book is fiction or nonfiction. Kids also learn about realistic fiction.
Teaching Without Frills
Realistic Fiction Writing for Kids Episode 2: Brainstorming
In this video, you will learn how to brainstorm ideas for your realistic fiction story. We will brainstorm the main character, setting, problem, and solution.
Teaching Without Frills
Realistic Fiction Writing for Kids Episode 5: Writing a Closing
In this video, you will learn how to write a closing or conclusion for your realistic fiction story. We will review different strategies such as writing about a lesson learned, adding humor, and discussing feelings.
Teaching Without Frills
Realistic Fiction Writing for Kids Episode 1: What Is It?
In this series, you will learn how to write realistic fiction stories! In this video, we will describe the elements of realistic fiction, including the characters, setting, and events.
Teaching Without Frills
Realistic Fiction Writing for Kids Episode 4: Writing a Draft
In this video, you will learn how to write a draft for your realistic fiction story. Your draft should include events leading up to the problem, and then a detailed description of the problem.
Teaching Without Frills
Realistic Fiction Writing for Kids Episode 3: Writing an Introduction
In this video, you will learn how to write an introduction for your realistic fiction story! An introduction should hook the reader and introduce the main character and setting.
Penguin Publishing
Penguin Random House: Rh Kids: The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen
This video is a book trailer about Wendelin Van Draanen's new young adult novel The Running Dream. Wendelin discusses her inspiration for the book, the research that went into creating it, and the impact she hopes it will have on...
Penguin Publishing
Penguin Random House: Rh Kids: The Summer I Saved the World, in 65 Days by Michele Weber Hurwitz
This video is a book preview for Michele Weber Hurwitz's The Summer I Saved the World, in 65 Days. The main character works to complete random acts of kindness in an attempt to make a difference after having an emotionally difficult time...
Sophia Learning
Sophia: Realistic Fiction: It Could Happen to You
A screencast lesson defining the genre, describing the key elements, and providing examples of realistic fiction. [3:38]
Penguin Publishing
Penguin Random House: Gemma Doyle Trilogy: Book Trailers
This site focuses on the Gemma Doyle Trilogy by Libba Bray; it features video book trailers for each book in the trilogy. The trailer for A Great and Terrible Beauty, the first book in the trilogy, originally premiered on the 2006 Teen...
Penguin Publishing
Penguin Random House: Rh Kids: Because of Mr. Terupt, a Conversation: John Irving and Rob Buyea
This video features the best-selling author John Irving interviewing Rob Buyea, the debut author of the novel Because of Mr. Terupt. They discuss writing, wrestling and his years teaching elementary school. [2:24]
Penguin Publishing
Penguin Random House: Rh Kids: 3 Willows by Ann Brashares
In this video, Ann Brashares, author of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series, tells the story behind her book, 3 Willows. Check out how the sisterhood continues to grow! [3:27]
Penguin Publishing
Penguin Random House: Frank Portman on Andromeda Klein
This site shares a video of Frank Portman, author of Andromeda Klein, describe his new book, along with music he has written to go along with the story. In the story, Andromeda Klein has a few problems. Her hair is kind of horrible. Her...
Penguin Publishing
Penguin Random House: Rh Kids: Chomp by Carl Hiaasen
This is an introduction to the book Chomp by Carl Hiaasen; it includes a brief summary, book reviews, information about the author, and a link to the video book trailer (bottom of the page). The protagonist, Wahoo Cray, lives in a zoo....