Kiddipedia
Louise Park says Story Box Library is ‘the most valuable educational tool on the internet’. More than ever, educators need access to trusted online resources and Story Box Library wants to help.
With schools across the globe responding to the outbreak of the Coronavirus and, in some cases, closing or making preparations for potential closure, Story Box Library is focusing on giving teachers what they need, while ensuring that SBL remains a free resource for families through their subscribing local library or school.
Our long-established structures and skills to support immersive and holistic digital learning, and want to ensure that all teachers in need are able to access our resources. We’re providing closed schools free access for an initial two months during these uncertain and unprecedented times, and are committed to offering continued assistance in the event of longer term closures. We’re resource ready to ease the transition to our new normal and continue to inspire a life-long love of storytime, anytime.
Story Box Library delivers a high quality and safe online resource of Australian and New Zealand stories being read aloud, but know the learning doesn’t stop there. We extend story engagement through Curriculum-linked Classroom Ideas, At Home Activities, short films and our newly formed Student Task Sheets. Our Classroom Ideas are practical discussion questions to further engage primary students with the story they’re studying, aligned with content descriptions across English, Maths, Humanities, Science, Health and Physical Education, The Arts and Technologies, in addition to relevant General Capabilities and Cross-Curriculum Priorities. Our Activity Time enables families, accessing SBL from home, and educators to further engage with themes and characters presented in the stories–often using minimal preparation and objects found in the home! With a focus on art, creativity or play, the activities promote an active, balanced lifestyle for young children and an opportunity for family members to connect.
Knowing that educators will need as many tools as they can in the coming weeks, we’ve developed Student Task Sheets. These are single-page PDFs designed to be used directly by students, providing them the opportunity to view stories and complete tasks independently from home. Linked to stories that cover a range of themes such as ANZAC Day, Global Issues, STEM and Health and Wellbeing, these Sheets are a new initiative for us, but one we’re excited to keep developing and adding to.
It’s because of the support of our existing subscribers of approximately 850 Australian schools, 15 international schools and libraries across the country that we’ve been able to explore further ways to support the community. Soon to be launched, we’re working on a new offering ‘Our Creative Community’, which will be freely available to anyone who wants to be enlivened and inspired. They’ll be able to see videos from our much-loved creators who will show and share studio tours, craft activities, illustration demonstrations and how-to-draw videos. They’ll be talking about creativity and activities kids can do at home to keep their imaginations running wild and their love for learning steady.
We’re entering into a time when new and innovative approaches to learning are required. We’ve always worked innovatively and will continue to do so, adjusting our offering as needed, to support educators, libraries, families, the creators and anyone who needs to be inspired by stories.
To learn more about our free two month offer for closed schools, take a look at our simple step-by-step guide.
Imagine the best stories being read aloud to you by our favourite storytellers – well that’s Story Box Library!
We get kids excited about reading, inspire their imaginations and let them have fun with stories, improving their language and literacy skills along the way.
With an ever-growing library, suitable for preschool and primary aged children, it really is Storytime, Anytime!
You may also like to read:
The impact of ‘Reading Aloud’ to children
On a tight budget? 5 easy ways to support Home Reading
