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Teacher Feedback........ “I love using Secret Stories in my classroom! A few years ago I saw you at the National Reading Conference and talked my principal into letting myself and a few other teachers pilot the program. We have been getting such great results that now our entire K-2 department is using it, with plans to move it upwards into the 3rd, 4th, and 5th next year! The district has even been sending people to our classrooms to observe how we use the SECRETS to amplify the skills presented in our reading curriculum. They were especially impressed with the progress of our ‘lowest-level’ learners, as the SECRETS have really ‘connected’ them to skills that they were not ‘getting’ at all before!” Michelle Second Grade Teacher Scranton, PA
“I truly left the conference knowing that listening to your presentation was the highlight of my trip! I work in a school with a 60% Native American population on the Uintah Ouray Indian Reservation. We have been struggling forever trying to make reading appealing and most of all make sense to them. I really believe your program is the answer. However, our school is on school improvement. We must target reading and writing and in doing so we are looking at how we teach phonics. I am so excited! I believe that "secret stories" will make sense to our little Native American children- I used the ‘sneaky-y’ story with my 1st graders yesterday and you could've heard a pin drop!! They were hanging on every word!” Maurine Reading Specialist Appoint, Utah
“We are currently using a very intense curriculum, so I thought I would not have time to incorporate the Secret Stories, but after just two days I realized I could no longer teach reading or writing without them! It is amazing what they remember! Kids who didn't know more than one or two letter sounds can now tell me which letter tells the vowel to ‘stand up straight and say his name!’” Virginia Kindergarten Teacher Lake Vill, IL
“How do I begin to thank you for the fabulous job you did today! The staff has fallen in love with you! I know how exhausting it is to present all day, and yet you had as much passion and energy at 3:00 as you did at 8:30! The feedback from the staff was amazing! Nearly every teacher thanked me for bringing you to the school, and they have already requested a follow-up training! I even have teachers requesting the book immediately so they can plan to implement their new learning over the summer! It is the highest honor when you are able to motivate a staff who has been working since the beginning of September, and has nearly run of steam at this time of the year. Thank you for a most informative and pleasurable day!” Joanne Assistant Principal Brooklyn, NY
“I saw your workshop at KRA, as my teachers had actually told me about you before I attended the conference. In fact, they INSISTED, in a very nice kind of way—“WE WANT HER!!” The teachers are so excited because of the ‘buzz’ going around the school about you. Apparently one teacher heard about you in a class she was taking- She came back and you have been the "thing" ever since!! (You must have had a very beneficial impact on some other school districts in Kentucky as well!) The teachers want you as soon as possible, so please let me know when you might be able to come, as I have never seen them this excited over anything before!!!!” Suzanne Reading First Coach Lexington, KY
“I recently attended your workshop in Huntsville, Alabama. I LOVE the secrets! They are really helping my students. I teach first grade and wanted to share the following letter sent to me by one of my parents about their child’s progress-“ ‘I see a huge difference from last week and this week in (child’s name) reading. I know that this may seem extreme, but we went over his vocabulary words yesterday and he got everyone right except for 1 or 2 that he needed some help on. When he was trying to figure the words out, I could hear him whispering some of the "secrets" to figure them out. This is amazing since I am usually ‘sweating it’ on Thursday night to still try and get him to comprehend these words. Something that I thought might be helpful to me and the other parents is if we could have the "secrets" at home too, so we are all teaching the kids in the same manner. They have already made an impression on my child, as I am seeing results already!’ “I have only been teaching the ‘secrets’ for about a week and a half and already I am seeing the impact they have on my students. I am introducing a new secret almost everyday, as we encounter them in text. We also sing the songs at least twice a day, if not more. Our school plans to provide the parent packs for parents like this one. How wonderful it would be if parents and teachers alike could teach the same thing, the same way! Thank you for your wonderful approach, it has made learning phonics rules and reading FUN for my class (and me too)!” Ashley First Grade Teacher Huntsville, AL
“I have
to tell you that the day our staff spent with you on Wednesday was the best Julie First Grade Teacher Germantown, TN
“I just wanted to say thank you for you wonderful presentation at the KSRA Reading conference last week. I left feeling so motivated and inspired and have already taught many of the small groups of students I work with some of the Secret Stories. They love the stories and cannot wait to hear more. It is amazing how quickly they have connected to the stories and how quickly they are using them! I cannot wait to share this information with other staff members. I know it has made a difference for my students!” Thank you again! Tonya Second Grade Teacher Fairfield, PA
“It was so nice to meet you at the WNC Conference. We are enjoying using your Secret Stories! It is amazing how fast the children pick up on it and remember them!! Thank you from the ‘bottom of my heart!!!” Vicky Director of Early Childhood Monroe, NC
“The reading specialist at my school lent me her copy of the Secret Stories to use over the summer with an LD student that I'm tutoring. Your program is amazing, he loves the stories, and I can finally see him actually "getting" the whole decoding thing. Therefore, I'm personally purchasing the program! Congratulations for creating a decoding program that finally works!” Pat LD/SLD Teacher Omaha, NE
“We have many new teachers who have not, yet, had the Secret Stories workshop. How soon can we get you? Our teachers are still using and loving the stories!”
Sandy
Director of Elementary Education
Haywood, NC
“I have already been teaching reading/ writing through stories, but not to the extent of the SECRET STOREIS. I'm just so excited to have your kit because you have the research of learning through muscles, brain, and music in order to explain why we do it this way. As a literacy coach, I knew it worked, but not WHY! I also hadn't thought so far ahead to keep all stories and 'characters' (letter patterns) consistent, even when they ‘evolved’ into different ‘stories’ (more complex phonics patterns/ higher-level text). Thank you so much for sharing your experience and discoveries in creation of such easy and effective ‘tools’ for teachers!” Jennifer ESL Instructor Austin, TX
“I
attended a Department of Education Workshop in Tennessee for first and second
grade teachers where the Secret Stories had been shared. We all absolutely
loved the strategies and techniques. This is how MY brain has always worked.
All of our kindergarten, first grade, and second grade teachers were there, and
we were so thrilled with your program that we talked our principal into ordering
kits for all of us! I received mine this week, and love everything about it!!!” Second Grade Teacher Memphis, TN
“We are using the SECRET STORIES and are loving it! I teach in a small private school with grades pre-K through 8th grade, and we use the ‘secrets’ throughout! Thank you for this great approach to phonics instruction! Consistent use of the ‘stories’ at each subsequent grade level make reading and writing instruction that much easier for all! (And not just for the teachers, but for the students too!!)” Lena Fourth Grade Teacher Denver, Colorado
“My primary teachers are so excited about all of the information you shared with them concerning the Secret Stories. We would like for you to come back to work with our upper grade-levels as well—will be in touch!” Donna Early Childhood Instructional Specialist Memphis, TN
“My name is Grace and I attended a district-wide in-service with you last week. I loved the workshop! I came back to my 2nd grade room and introduced ‘stories’ immediately. My kids are in love with them and so ‘into it’ just like you said they would be. Thank you so much for such a rewarding and enjoyable day!!!” Grace Second Grade Teacher Charleston, SC
“Wow, your email is as high energy as your presentation I saw in Orlando! I am so excited about Secret Stories and would love to implement school wide! I know I won't be able to do near as good a job as you in sharing them, of course, but I am certainly a believer! The student writing samples were absolutely amazing! I will do my best to explain Secret Stories with the same enthusiasm and passion that you undoubtedly have! Ps. I've also mentioned to other reading coaches in our district about Secret Stories. Many are not aware of what an incredible resource it is!” Gwen Reading Coach Cocoa, FL
“I purchased Secret Stories at the Gifted Conference in Houston. I admit I was impressed with your presentation, but didn't really believe it would work like you promised. I was wrong!!! I am amazed with how much my Kindergarteners have learned and retained!!!! I absolutely LOVE your program!” Debbie Pogue Kindergarten Teacher Houston, TX
“I am using the SECRET STORIES and LOVING it! Just wanted to let you know that it has changed my classroom! All of my class, short of one student with some learning difficulties, is at least one level above ‘grade-level’ in reading right now, with most 2 or 3 levels above, and it’s only January!!! Their developmental spelling is improving every day as well! Wow! Thanks!” April First Grade Teacher Irvine, KY
“I had the pleasure of sitting in on one of your presentations at the Raising Achievement and Closing the Gap Conference in North Carolina. You were truly a breath of fresh air! I very much appreciate your ‘common-sense’ (why didn't I think of the Secret Stories!!) approach to the acquisition of reading skills. You are a dynamic, energetic, and engaging speaker. You approach education in very much the way that I do, with the ‘brain in mind.’ I teach special education and can use all of the ‘out-of-the-box’ thinking I can get my hands on. I truly can’t wait to get started sharing the ‘secrets’ with my students! All the very best to you, and I hope to cross paths with you again in the future. You are a true inspiration!” Kristin Special Education Teacher Greensboro, NC
“Our teachers saw you at the National Title I Conference this year and couldn’t stop talking about you! Thank you for helping us to get started with your reading strategies. The students absolutely LOVE the stories that have been introduced so far! Much Appreciation from our entire team-“ Tasha First Grade Teacher Lafayette, LA
“We recently bought a classroom set of the Secret Stories at the ‘Open Minds’ conference in Chicago and love it! Thank you for this great approach that makes teaching reading (and thus, writing!!!) so easy to teach!!” Renee Kindergarten Teacher Chicago, IL
“I was at our district’s elementary workshop in Memphis last week. Seven teachers attended from my school. We have all been so excited about the Secret Stories and have already started sharing some of them with our students. The kids are even more excited, and are literally begging us for more!!! Thanks for a great workshop, and we hope to see you again in Memphis!” Jane Second Grade Teacher Memphis, TN
“First, I can't tell you how much I appreciate the thorough explanation you always give. The first time I emailed you last year I was so surprised to even receive the email back from YOU personally. I love Secret Stories, and have been singing your praises since I saw you 5 years ago at FRA when I was a Title I teacher. I was so thoroughly impressed by your presentation and would love to see it again. The ‘secrets’ just make so much sense! Please do keep me informed of when you will be in our area, as if there is anything I can do that will allow our teachers to experience your wonderful workshop, I would love to do it!” Sharon Elementary School Principal Ft. Myers, FL
“Thank you so much for your wonderful program. My kindergarten students are loving the Secret Stories! It is sooooooooooo wonderful! Our whole team absolutely LOVES IT!!!” Judy Kindergarten Teacher West Palm Beach, FL
“The Secret Stories are all over our school, and the students love them! K and 1 are having a blast. We will probably be a Literacy 1st school next year. The first question out of everyone's mouth has been, "Can we still use our Secret Stories???" Thank goodness they fall right into place!” Kim Literacy Facilitator Hendersonville, NC
“I want to thank you for the fabulous session on Secret Stories at the Kindergarten Conference in Santa Clara, California. You certainly wowed me! I have been an elementary grade teacher more years than I can count, and I can honestly say that the strategies you shared in session were of more use to me, and more beneficial to my students than anything I have ever brought back to my classroom! Thank you for ‘revitalizing’ my year!” Carolyn Kindergarten Teacher Burbank, CA
“I attended the SC reading conference and came to your workshop. I LOVED IT!!! I teach Kindergarten in Hilton Head, SC. I came back today and taught all of my babies your short vowel sounds...they have all been little old ladies saying "eeeeeehhhhh" all day! We begged our principal to get us the kits, not just for us, but for everyone!! Thank you so much for your knowledge.” Emily Kindergarten Teacher Hilton Head, SC
“We talked at the GPI and I attended both of your sessions at the Symposium. I thoroughly enjoyed your presentations!! I shared the strategies/ SECRETS with my grade level and they are SO excited about it!! We have students with "severe disabilities" in our classrooms who are excited about reading, writing and books. The easy ‘connections’ the SECRETS provide are the perfect thing!” Sue Special Education Teacher Carey, NC
“I thoroughly enjoyed your presentation at FRA Conference in Orlando. I am the FRA lobbyist in Tallahassee and I will be helping elementary students after school improve their reading deficiencies. (Although I have an MA in reading education from 1988, I've not used it in teaching as yet.) I absolutely loved your strategies, and am so very grateful to have these ‘tools’ to offer my students! Thanks a million!” Florence Reading Lobbyist Tallahassee, FL
“I spoke with you yesterday and I must tell you again that you have made a difference in many children's lives! I am thankful that you made this info available for others to use. My student's reading scores are incredible due to simply teaching them the SECRETS! The county that I have just moved to needs your program so desperately! Hopefully my students’ reading scores will ‘stir- up’ some interest among other teachers/ schools as well so that all children can benefit from owning the ‘SECRETS!’” Karen First Grade Teacher Biloxi, MS
“Just wanted to send a special thanks from New Orleans. I attended your workshop in Baton Rouge just last week, and have already put many of your Secret Stories to work! I am also in the process of obtaining funding approval to attend the Harvard University Conference on ‘Learning and the Brain’ at which you will be speaking next month! Thanks so much again for your incredible reading strategies!” Emily Fifth Grade Teacher Shreveport, LA
“We really enjoyed having you come out to our district! I have already had many positive comments about the ‘secrets’ you shared and my teachers are already asking for more! Thanks so much!” Donna Elementary School Principal Liberty, TX
“Hi! I attended your fabulous workshop in Columbus last week. Thank you for sending us the "ous" story for this week's lesson! We ‘shared’ it, the kids ‘got’ it, and BOOM- they were using it! The kids just ‘soak them up!’ We can’t wait to receive our material, as now it seems like there are ‘secrets’ looming around every corner, in every lesson, and our kids want to know them all!! Thanks so much!” Janis-Tameika Fourth Grade Teacher Washington, D.C.
“I thought of you while I have been doing observations in my primary grade classrooms. I attended a workshop with you about 7 years ago and purchased your product on my own. I have since implemented it in two schools. I intend to make it part of our ‘woodwork’ here as well. We are hoping to be Title I next year which would allow for us to do some additional Professional Development and include the Secret Stories. I think they are wonderful and cannot wait for the rest of my teachers to experience the incredible learning you have in store for them. Your program is just awesome! I have actually just started using this with my 4 year old and she loves it, too. Thanks for all you do for children. As the kids would say- ‘You Rock!!’” Danielle Assistant Principal Boca Raton, FL
“I enjoyed getting to meet you yesterday, and absolutely loved your humor as you presented the SECRET STORY reading strategies! I wanted you to know that I plan to share the Secret Stories with all of the teachers across our district, as it is now my new ‘best-find!’” Karen Literacy Specialist Louisville, KY
“When are you coming to Utah? I have been using The Secret Stories in my classroom and my kids absolutely LOVE THEM! I am a fairly new teacher, and yet, because of the ‘secrets,” I always know what to say whenever one of my students asks why the letters make the sounds they do! I have even become the ‘source’ of information for not only my own grade-group, but the grade-levels both ‘above’ and ‘below’ me as well!! I am hoping that by next year, the ‘secrets’ can begin in First Grade, or even Kindergarten/ Pre-K, and continue all the way through Fifth, as we all know that we have kids in our classrooms still lacking these skills and who desperately need them!! Thank you so much again for helping me to become such an effective teacher and obtain such wonderful results with my students in reading--- What a difference the SECRET STORIES make!” Lorene Second Grade Teacher Austin, TX
“I have seen your program in action in many schools and the SAI/ Reading Teachers have all been praising its results with their students throughout this year. I have recommended you to several principals, and just wanted to let you know what a ‘hit’ the ‘secret stories’ were becoming here! Thanks so much!” Sandra SAI Director/ Supplemental Educational Services West Palm Beach, FL
I am an SAI teacher and attended your workshop for our district this year. My kids love the stories and are just ‘eating them up!’ What an ‘easy’ way to teach ‘hard’ skills!!! (I wish I’d have thought of it!!!)
Jenne
Lantana, FL “I was meeting with our Primary Curriculum Coordinator to talk about having you come out to train our entire district, and when I told her about you, she said that she was actually trained by you in another district she had been in prior to ours! She couldn’t stop singing your praises!! All this to say…We want you to come! And soon!!” Stephanie Elementary Principal Norfolk, VA
“I attended the VSRA conference last week. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to attend your class, however, your it was the talk of the weekend! Everywhere I went, people were raving about the ‘Secret Stories’ and how wonderful the session was. I was able to see the material they bought from you, however, and was quite impressed with all that was covered. It offers the perfect ‘support’ via the ‘story-explanations’ to the strategies I use in Reading Recovery- I know my kids will love it!”
Jill
“This whole program is so ‘ME!!!’ The kids love it and will immediately reference the posters for the sounds/ spellings they need. They actually BEG for the stories I haven’t told them yet, and when I can't remember the ‘more-detailed’ ones off-hand, I tell them that ‘I don't think their brains can handle another one just yet,’ and then later, I look up the story and tell them... the anticipation works great!!!” Elizabeth Kindergarten Teacher Muncie, IN
“Our school has ordered several of your books. (They are wonderful!) I have really pumped your strategies with my teachers. They love them and my own children love the stories. It is great! I tell everyone I know about your book. Thank you so much for what you have done. My oldest son has had a hard time with reading and The Secret Stories have made a world of difference with him. My youngest son has learned to read because of the stories. Thanks again for your time and I can't wait to hear from you!” Carolyn Literacy Facilitator Roanoke, VA
“I have been using Secret Stories for 3 years now. I think it’s the best thing ever As a result of our team’s continued successes with them, our school is ordering kits for all other grade levels as well- ensuring that ALL teachers will have this wonderful resource in their classrooms. I just thought I would e-mail you and share my thoughts.” Jonathon Second Grade Teacher Salt Lake City, UT
“Although I am a teacher, I had never heard about Secret Stories, but my next-door neighbor swears by them and said she's never seen her children make greater gains than those she observed after sharing these ‘secrets’ with them. I have since gotten and used the ‘secrets’ with my own students and am now thoroughly convinced that they are, BY FAR the best thing out there to get kids reading- AND EASILY!!! Thanks for your amazing ‘tricks!’” Becky Kindergarten Teacher Melbourne, FL
“As a bilingual teacher for 17 years in Connecticut, I was always looking for a way that I could teach students more effective ways to read and write the English language, but never found the best way until I saw your ‘secrets’ being told to a Kindergarten class while visiting my niece in Florida. I was very impressed to see the students and how they put together the sounds and even manipulated them using the rules (‘secrets’) of the various sounds with ease. I called my ‘teacher-friends’ back in Connecticut and told them all about it, and after sharing a few of the stories I heard with them, they are now as excited as I am to try it!” Lydia Bilingual Teacher Hartford, CT
“Even though we are in the final few weeks of school, an opportunity came up to use the story about the sneaky "Y" and the kids "ate it up!" I didn't even have the posters ready, but just decided to ‘go for it’ and share the story ‘in the moment of need’ like you said! The kids LOVED the idea about being ‘big enough to hear the secret’ that I just had to tell them, and I even ended up hanging the poster up! Because I had told them that I knew LOTS of other reading and writing ‘secrets,’ they were, of course, extremely excited to hear more! Even though I didn’t want to put up posters at the end of the school year, I just can’t resist telling the ‘secrets’ that make words we encounter throughout our day actually ‘make sense!’ I also shared your materials with both my principal and assistant principal, and told them how great I thought they were. My principal was equally excited and wants to host a workshop for the district, as she was aware of its use and success in some of the surrounding counties. I think that using the SECRET STORIES as a supplement to the reading/phonics curriculum will prove invaluable! Thanks again for a wonderful workshop. Your enthusiasm and energy is contagious! I am looking forward to sharing more "Secret Stories" with my second graders, and starting ‘full-force’ next year!!” Juanita Second Grade Teacher Jupiter, FL
“I met you at FRA and bought your book and posters. Then I had 3 of my team members listen to you and then they also bought books. The kids are really excited about it and love hearing the "secret stories". The concept of every word having a heart has really helped them to think about vowels. Often all I have to do is a motion (like putting my hand to my ear and pretend to have difficulty hearing without making a sound) to help them figure out what vowel should be in the word.) I hear the kids talking about the ‘secrets’ among themselves and begging for more! I keep telling them I have to see if they look they’re ‘grown-up enough’ to hear them. (That gives me a few seconds to check the poster and recall the story/ sound!) They've come across words and said things like, "That word has a secret story in it" or " Y stole E's superhero costume in that word". I love that the kids have become little ‘studiers of words’ always on the look-out for Secret Stories! Now my entire grade team is using it and loving it- as are the children. I'm so glad I discovered you at FRA. PS I presented an overview of Secret Stories at a faculty meeting, and teachers from all different grade levels came up to me afterwards, telling me how they had so many students who could really use the SECRETS!” Denise First Grade Teacher St. Paul, MN
“I am a
kindergarten teacher in Ft. Myers, Florida, and I purchased the SECRET STORIES
Teacher Kit at a state conference and LOVE it! My ‘parents’ have all heard
about it from the kids, and are asking about it, as are the other kindergarten
teachers. My principal wants to purchase kits for all of the other kindergarten
teachers because of what started in my classroom, with my students and parents!
I just wanted to say thank you!” Kindergarten Teacher Ft. Myers, FL
“I had the pleasure of seeing you and the Secret Stories at the Florida Reading Seminar in Orlando this past month. I purchased it for my classroom and began telling ‘secrets’ in my classroom right away - it is truly unbelievable how immediately they ‘take hold’ and are ‘put to use’ by the kids! I would never have believed it had I not seen it with my own eyes, in my own class- THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU for sharing it!!!!” Sharon Kindergarten Teacher Titusville, FL
“Hi! I teach in Little Rock and had the privilege of meeting you at the IRA Conference. I loved your program so much that I bought it with my own money, and I have been sharing the ‘secrets’ with other teachers. They love it too! Yesterday we all attended a county-wide workshop for elementary grades, and someone else had your materials, and was sharing them with several schools. We have all gotten together within our district, and obtained approval for you to come out personally for in-service! We can’t wait! When can you come??!!” Cecelia Third Grade Teacher Little Rock, AK
“My teachers just returned from an Elementary Education Conference and were very excited about your program. I am the Title I coordinator for my district, and I must tell you that I have never seen my teachers this excited about anything before. Congratulations on such an inspirational presentation, and we look forward to using the SECRETS soon!” Jo Ann Title I Coordinator New Orleans, LA
“One of our Kindergarten teachers learned about the Secret Stories while attending a District Workshop with Karen Simmons and Cindy Guinn (a.k.a. “The Bag Ladies”) here in Texas. She got it for her classroom, and liked it so much that she talked about it constantly- And so did her students! Her class went ‘so far, so fast’ she nearly passed up the next grade level! Now we are all asking for it from our PTO as a ‘dream-request!’ We have since discovered that other grade levels have put in the exact same request! We are keeping our fingers crossed and hoping for the best! Just thought you might like to know about all the ‘buzz’ your SECRET STORIES have been causing around here!” Sandra K/ 1 Inclusion Teacher Harrisburg, PA
“I wanted to let you know that the ‘secrets’ have even make their way into the office! I have actually created a ‘Wall of Secrets’ outside my door for students to share with myself and my assistant principal. Only one fifth grade teacher attended the workshop on Tuesday, and he liked it so much that he shared the information with his team members, and now they want kits for their classrooms! I am thrilled to see staff so ‘rejuvenated’ about teaching reading!” Charlotte Elementary Principal Dallas, TX
“I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy teaching the Secret Stories. I introduce each story as it is taught in our reading series. It is the perfect tool to help students remember the sounds for reading and the letter-patterns for writing.. Thank you for bringing Secret Stories to our school. I cannot begin to tell you how successful it has proven to be! I share it with every teacher I meet because I truly believe in it and KNOW IT WORKS!!!!!” Heather Second Grade Teacher Lake Worth, FL
“I can't thank you enough for creating the "Secret Stories!” Ever since I attended your workshop at the Teacher's Guild, I have been using them in my classroom. My kindergartners love the stories and enjoy singing the songs. It is truly remarkable watching them use the stories to help decode words. I told them that you will be visiting our district, and perhaps even our school next week and they are thrilled. I look forward to seeing your presentation again and can't wait to get some more tips on teaching the ‘secrets!’ Thank you again.” Sandy Temple Kindergarten Teacher Juno Beach, FL
“Just wanted to let you know how excited I am to be using your Secret Stories Posters and CD. The children are equally excited and starting to apply the stories throughout the day in all of our lessons to ‘crack-apart’ unfamiliar words. We really just began using these tools when we came back from winter break, and already there is an ‘air of enthusiasm’ in our classroom when we play the CD and sing along with the songs. The students can't wait to use a pointer and point to the poster or letters of the alphabet when we sing the songs. I am very pleased with these great tools because they easily mesh and intertwine with any reading series, trade books, or subject we are discussing in class. I have 2nd grade gifted and really believe that all students can benefit from this very simple phonics tool.”
Maria Elena
Royal Palm Beach, FL
Wellington, FL “I have been using the Secret Stories in my gifted Kindergarten class for several months now and wanted to let you know that the students are enjoying the stories tremendously! They get excited each time I tell them that I have a new one for them. It improves not only their ability to ‘decode’ unfamiliar words, but to spell, and thus write better, as well. Their writing has greatly improved, and I believe it is because they are so comfortable now n attempting to spell even those words that are ‘less familiar’ to them in print. It gives the students a "tool" to use when they come to these sounds that are usually so difficult for them to remember. They especially love the word jail! My kids love to find the ‘outlaw words’ and put them in our jail.” Tandy Gifted K/1 Teacher Houston, TX
“I wanted to thank you for your presentation of "Secret Stories" in our district. The school was ‘buzzing’ the following day...”Was there enough money to purchase ‘Secret Stories’ for all the grade levels?” Nobody wanted to be ‘left out!” Of course, our principal was so thrilled that so many teachers were interested, that she assured all of us that every K-5 teacher would be able to order the "Secret Stories" for their classrooms- that she would ‘find the money from somewhere!’ Every one of our teachers has placed an order for "Secret Stories" and now we are all anxiously awaiting their arrival. Your program seems like a breath of fresh air! Thank you for ‘squeezing’ us in the January PDD! We can't wait to begin "cracking the reading code" with out students!” Marie Reading Coach/ Reading First Boynton Beach, FL
“The children in my second and third grade ESOL classes
have been using the Secret Stories this year with great success! They love the
pictures and have great fun pretending they are doing the same actions as the
different sounds. The children's ability to recognize sounds within words has
increased dramatically since I started with this program. Their spelling and
overall reading comprehension has made great strides also. This is ideal for
the ESOL children since they need the practice and instant recognition of the
different sounds due to the fact that many of our sounds are not found in their
languages. I have been teaching for a total of 38 years, 33 of them in Palm
Beach County, Florida. As an "old timer", I am a strong believer in phonics
unlocking the secret code of reading. I have tried many different approaches
but I find the Secret Stories the simplest, yet most marvelously effective of
all of my teaching tools! Alas, such a great program to come in the year that I
am retiring!!! “ Second Grade Teacher Boca Raton, FL
“I cannot begin to offer my thanks in the tremendous way you deserve them! I have only worked with my class (32 third-grade students of which 10 are in the SAI program for additional reading in the afternoon) for several weeks and have seen an increase in both their reading and spelling skills, which are translated through the writing program I am a specialist in teaching for an Intermediate Project CHILD unit. What a terrific and EASY way for students to go from the alphabet to the phonetic spellings! My fellow teachers at the K, 1st, 2nd, and even 3rd grade levels were amazed at the Secret Stories ‘common-sense-‘- that you can just ‘explain away’ all of the inconsistencies in our language by simply telling learners the ’secret’ behind the pattern! Like you said, being able to answer their ‘WHY’ when before, we could not- it’s just so simple! Surprisingly though, my students favorite strategy is that of “thinking like doctors” when the ‘secret’ does not apply. Because they are so proficient now with their ‘decoding,’ they revel in the opportunities that arise to ‘investigate’ words that don’t appear to be ‘doing what they should’ (i.e. ‘following the rules’) and will often engage in ‘heated discussion’ as to whether the word can be ‘re-habilitated’ or must be ‘sent it to jail!’ It’s a truly amazing thing to watch! What an invaluable resource to help students understand this incredibly complicated language of ours! With much appreciation and gratitude-“ Barbara Reading First Literacy Coach Philadelphia, PA
“Ten years ago last October, I suffered a major stroke which left me with aphasia. Through therapy and much hard work, I now feel confident conversing with parents. A friend of mine is a 6-year survivor of a completely different kind of stroke. She is experiencing aphasia, but I've also noticed some gaps in her reading-ability. Working with her using your "Secret Stories" has started to make a major difference in her reading-ability, and I am requesting a parent set of your program to allow me to work with her. I will continue to update you on her progress as well as that of my students. Thank you, Katie, for making this program so readily available and so easy for teachers like me to grasp. It adds an entirely new dimension to my program and to my friend's life as a stroke survivor.” Terri Third Grade Teacher Riviera Beach, FL (FOLLOW-UP TO ABOVE) ‘These stories are enabling my lowest readers in third grade to crack the codes, learning to read and write each word better every day, Thank you! As I mentioned in a previous email to you a while back, as a 10 year stroke survivor myself, I frequently get together with a friend of mine who had her stroke 6 years ago. My friend had a different type of stroke in which she had completely ‘lost’ the ability to read. I worked with her using the Secret Stories and saw much progress - she is able to read parts of words, and your stories help her pick-up on skills she had lost due to the stroke. I will pass this program on to other stroke survivors with your permission- What a difference this has made in so many lives!’ Terri
“I wanted to let you know how much I am enjoying the "Secret Stories" you created. I must admit that the overview that I got at the Guild just ‘wetted my appetite’ as to how to how to use comprehensively within my classroom. I have been using them is in conjunction with the county's prescribed list of "Word Wall" words for 2nd grade. I tell the students a "Secret Story" that goes with certain words that I introduce, and the poster is then hung on up for future reference. (I have since discovered that I should hang up ALL of the posters from day 1!) I introduce 5 new words a week, and on Fridays we have a "word wall" quiz. I write on the overhead 10 new words and they use the word wall to find the words that could help them spell the new word. They are now easily recognizing the chunking patterns and "secret story" rules. They love the songs also. Thanks again for such a wonderful
tool for teaching kids to read!!” Del Ray Beach, FL
“I just wanted to thank you for introducing Secret Stories to our staff. I have not seen so much excitement from our teachers in the four years that I have been the assistant principal here. Finally, we have a tool that incorporates fun into core reading strategies! On a more personal note, I have twins in the first grade. Well, just one week after their teachers started using the Secret Stories, they both came home and started telling me the ‘secrets!’ I was amazed at their interactions as well, as they couldn’t keep from telling each other the ‘secrets’ from their respective classes- from the "Momma E" to the "Super Hero" vowels- their interest and excitement was remarkable! Once again, thank you from the entire staff!” P.J. Assistant Principal Wellington, FL
“I used to teach intermediate grades (4/5) in Boca Raton, and moved several months ago to Port St. Lucie where I am teaching first grade. Everyone at my ‘new’ school just raved about the Secret Stories, so while at the National IRA conference, I attended one of your workshops, and have since purchased the kit…THEY WERE SO RIGHT!!!! It is sooooo easy, even for me, with my ‘intermediate’ background! I love how it fits with whatever I am teaching, in any subject! I can reinforce their reading skills with the ‘secrets’ so easily throughout the day, and even introduce new ones! The kids are always more motivated when a ‘secret’ is shared in response to a ‘real-life’ situation- such as when they are trying to read, write or spell what they want! I even dragged my husband in over the weekend to help me hang up all the posters so that I could begin first thing on Monday morning!!! I am very excited, as I truly believe this is not only helping my students tremendously in reading, but in their written expression, as well! Thank you so very much for coming up with such effective, and yet ‘easy-to-use’ tools!” Elise First Grade Teacher Port St. Lucie, FL
“The kids are loving the secret stories. I can't wait to get the posters up, as they are now constantly asking about words, and I have been telling the secrets faster I can keep track!! One of my students was writing today and spelled a word that had a ‘y’ at the end. When said to me, "Look, I knew a ‘y’ went here, because ‘sneaky-y’ went into ‘superhero-e's’ closet and took his costume!" She was very proud of herself! I am really having a lot of fun with it. Another one of my students said at the end of the day today (which was actually only a ‘half-day’ due to it being a PD day) “Hey, it’s almost time to go home, and you haven’t told us a Secret Story yet!!!" The kids really are just ‘nuts’ abut them! Anyway, I just thought you would enjoy hearing some feedback.” Thanks again! Ana Fourth Grade Teacher Boston, MA
“I am a first grade teacher and have been lucky enough to ‘inherit’ several students whose reading instruction in Kindergarten was ‘underscored’ with the Secret Stories. I am completely dumbfounded at the difference in their reading and writing, as compared to those students whose Kindergarten teachers were not using the Secrets! These students are already far PASSED where our district’s curriculum requires them to be with regard to literacy skills/ scoring- every single one of them! It is just fantastic, and I have checked with all of the other first grade teachers and they have observed exactly the same thing in their classrooms as well (although I must say that I am, indeed the luckiest, as I have the largest cluster of Secret Story ‘graduates’ in my room!) Anyway, needless to say, we are ALL interested in the program and, if possible, scheduling a workshop. As I am the Grade Chair, I have already confirmed interest in each of the other grade levels. We would be interested in getting started ASAP, as we all have very high numbers of students who are in ‘dire- need’ of these strategies- many in 4th and 5th grade for whom nothing else has worked, and yet, in just one week of sharing a few stories ‘here and there,’ a fifth grade teacher said that it was ‘like a door just opened and things started to click!’ I feel very optimistic that our entire staff will be soon be making the same awesome progress by supporting our adopted curriculum with these wonderful tools. Thank you and waiting to hear from you!” Beth Ann First Grade Teacher Detroit, Michigan
“I teach 4th and 5th grade SLD and many of my students still have difficulty with simple decoding and recognition of basic sound patterns. I have used a variety of techniques but the older they get, the less enthusiastic the kids are to ‘keep trying.’ Those who haven’t already ‘given up,’ often ‘act’ as though they have to ‘save-face’ with their peers. In any case, I ran into a teacher who attended one of your institute presentations at Harvard University, and has spoken of nothing else since! She described it as ‘life-changing,’ and couldn’t wait to try some of the stories with her students (she works with a similar population to mine) upon return to class Monday. Well, apparently, the Secret Stories weren’t just ‘life-changing’ for her, but for her students, as well! She said they were almost ‘frenzied’ in their demands to hear more and more of these ‘secret- explanations’ for words and sounds that had never made sense to them before- and these are the kids who act like they ‘could care less’ 99% of the time!) I have since begun sharing some of your stories with my students, and I can’t describe the feeling of watching these kids’ faces as everything started to come together for them! What a ‘find’ your Secret Stories are, and I thought you might like to know that my friend and I, as well as our students,, are actually looking forward to the start of school next year, when we can really ‘dig-in’ and ‘go all the way’ with them! I do hope your kit will soon be a part of the curriculum everywhere. What a gift to our children’s future. “ Edie Fourth/ Fifth Grade SLD Teacher Boston, MA
“I am fifth grade teacher in Lexington, Kentucky, and was doing some ‘photo-copying’ at Office Depot this summer in preparation for the new school year, when a woman there, who was also making copies, noticed me, and rightfully assumed that I was a teacher. She apparently was as well, and she began telling me about a summer workshop she had just come from, sponsored by her school district called the “The Secret Stories,” and continued to go ‘on and on’ about how she “couldn’t wait for summer vacation to end” so that she could “get back to her classroom and use these the strategies with her kids!” Unlike her, I was ‘more than happy’ to enjoy what remained of my summer vacation, and could not fathom what ‘strategies’ could possibly be exciting enough to motivate a seemingly ‘normal’ teacher to literally ‘wish her summer away!’ Well, my curiosity got the better of me, and I accessed your website when I returned home. I noticed that you were going to be speaking again in another district nearby mine, and I decided to see if they might let me attend. To make this ‘long’ story short, I did, and I absolutely LOVED it!!!! I actually went straight to our school book keeper on the first day back to order it! My colleagues have now ordered it as well, so now our whole fifth grade team is using it! We all love it because it allows us to easily ‘reach’ and ‘re-teach’ those critical reading skills without taking any time out of our day, as we can share the secrets ‘whole-group’ and know that they ‘got it!’ I have already “revealed” one secret to my students, about “a” and “u” being so in love. They all love it! It’s especially nice to have something the kids have never ‘heard before’ and see the ones who never ‘got it’ before finally ‘take it in!’ My grade-group and I find it ironic that we ‘upper’ grade teachers, who know the LEAST about ‘teaching kids to read,’ are actually the grade-level where so many kids actually understand it for the first time! I want to send a big ‘THANK-YOU’ on behalf of myself and my team (as well as the ‘nice teacher’ from Office Depot!) for creating something ‘special enough’ to be such an inspiration to so many teachers!” Tara Fifth Grade Teacher Lexington, KY
“Thanks for these wonderful tools! I love to teach kids when they are excited about learning, and the Secret Stories not only engages my students, but triggers their skill-memory, making reading and writing both easy and enjoyable!” Rachel Primary-Grade Teacher Harlan, KY
“My goodness, what an impression you made on my staff and I… Thank you so much! Our district has 12 ‘Pre/K- 6th’ elementary schools, with many of them attending the Dallas GT conference. My teachers returned to work today begging me to bring you to the school. Our librarian couldn't wait to tell me about these “Secret Stories,” and she doesn't get excited about workshops as such, but she and 2 others so far have been by to show me and tell me all about your presentation and resources. So…I know that you are highly sought after by my staff! Thank you so much for your inspiration and wonderful ideas about reading!” Linda Elementary School Principal Duncanville, TX
“I saw you at conference last week, and could not wait to show the Secret Stories to our principal, in hopes of getting the K, 1, 2 & 3 teachers trained at our wonderful school! I think this would be a tremendous asset to our teachers here in Duncanville. Thank you again for the great ideas!” Kimberly Duncanville, TX
“I am a great believer in your creation, and through the progress of my classes, have sold many people on it! Our district sends teachers from other schools to visit my classroom for demonstration/ observation, and pays me to travel within the district to share the ‘SECRETS’ with other schools as well. Our school now uses it in all K-2 classrooms help with reading and writing, and it is now being piloted in classrooms at 5 other schools! I am getting such great results with this in my classroom! Please let me know what else I can do to help get the word out! I am so excited about helping children learn these vital literacy skills!” Kathy Kindergarten Teacher New Bern, NC
“I've been sooooo excited about finding these tools, as I have heard so much about them from colleagues of mine in the states, and can't wait to try them out myself!!! I'm very eager to begin sharing the stories and get things going! I have a WONDERFUL class and am as excited as they are about learning! Thanks for creating something so wonderful for both teachers and students, alike- I can hardly wait to receive my material- It will be like Christmas for me in September/October!!! PS We hope to see you one day at our teacher conference- SAG- in Manitoba, Canada- it is ‘province-wide!’” Natasha Elementary Grade Teacher Manitoba, Canada
“I recently heard your presentation at conference and LOVED IT! I am so excited about what you are doing- it just makes so much sense! I am the lead teacher for my school, and upon speaking with other lead teachers around my district, I discovered that I am not alone in my excitement over the Secret Stories! We would love to have this program throughout our district! Please let me know when you might be able to come out! “ Nicole Title I Reading Teacher San Antonio, TX
“Looks like I'm going to be spending another $100 of my own money on the classroom! I especially liked what I have read in on-line discussions about how the SECRETS impact Pre-K, as I will have many kids who will be only four when entering Kindergarten this year- it will be challenging! I had come across information about the Secret Stories through teacher discussions/ forums online: KinderKorner@yahoogroups, teachingisaworkofheart@yahoogroups.com and mosaic@readinglady.com , where the SECRET STORIES is highly recommended by other teachers, all of whom say it is an excellent program, and gave your site. I think the stories are so clever, and yet so simple in how immediately they trigger the sound/ symbol relationships in learners- even our ‘little guys!’ (And you obviously have a wonderful sense of humor! )” Ann Kindergarten Teacher Pasadena, CA
“I hope you remember me, as 2 years ago at FRA, I discovered Secret Stories. I bought the Teacher Set, and, as a result of my excitement over my purchase, 3 of the teachers I worked with that were with me at the conference also came by and bought it for their classrooms as well! We then communicated for a bit by e-mail, as I shared with you how things were going as I began implementing Secret Stories with my class. This school year we got some new teachers on our team. When the school allocated 'A' money per team, the 4 new teachers all wanted to use their money to purchase The Secret Stories too. They wanted use them because they saw how successful those of us who had them were through our students reading and writing! And, by the way, I continue to be your ‘emissary’ here in NE Florida, as our Kindergarten teachers overheard me talking about the SECRETS and they, too, are now going to begin using them!” Jill First Grade Teacher Orange Park, FL
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