If you teach reading, you HAVE to check out Novel Effect. Novel Effect is an award-winning app that follows your voice as you read out loud from a children's story book and responds at just the right moment with interactive music, sound effects, and character voices. You can learn more and download it by clicking here!
So how can we fit this amazing app into our standards? It’s easy! Novel Effect’s library is FULL of books that you most likely already have in your collection - and they continue to add more weekly. Now that we have had some time using the app, we’d like to share 20 of our favorite activities. Click on any subheading to jump to that section/activity!
The Bad Seed
Jory John’s “The Bad Seed” has a bad temper, bad manners, and a bad attitude. But, it doesn’t last long in this popular story. One of our favorite activities to do with this book is with Novel Effect and Microsoft Flip. Follow the steps below:
Read The Bad Seed on Novel Effect
Have students use the Bad Seed sticker in a Microsoft Flip video
Students can retell the story, or explain what positive actions they can do to help promote kindness in the classroom and school campus
You can download The Bad Seed sticker by clicking here or the image.
The Good Egg
In part two of Jory John and Pete Oswald’s series, The Good Egg is trying to look out for others but forgets the most important person: themself. After some careful reflection, The Good Egg decides to do what’s best and make a change. We absolutely love to use this book as a classroom management tool. Here’s how:
Purchase an Egg plastic trophy here (you might want to remove the name plate)
Click here to read The Good Egg on Novel Effect
Give the egg trophy to a student who is meeting your expectations
Move the egg frequently, “catching” students who are doing the RIGHT thing.
The person who has the trophy at the end of the day earns a prize!
Purchase an Easter Egg trophy by clicking here
Here’s another idea that is great for the beginning of the year!
The Cool Bean
In part 3 of John and Oswald’s series, a bean always finds himself on the sidelines. After unsuccessfully trying everything he can to fit in with the crowd— the cool beans step in to show him how it’s done. Just when if it couldn’t get any cooler - it does! Now you can read this book on Novel Effect! Here’s our favorite activity includes using Microsoft Flip:
Read The Cool Bean on Novel Effect
Have students use the The Cool Bean “Raybean” sticker in a Microsoft Flip video
Students can retell the story, or explain how they would act like cool beans around the classroom and school campus.
The Couch Potato
In part 4 of John and Oswald’s series, The Couch Potato has everything within reach and doesn't have to move from the sunken couch cushion. But when the electricity goes out, Couch Potato is forced to peel away from the comforts of the living room and venture outside. Bring this story to life with Novel Effect and check out this activity:
Read The Couch Potato on Novel Effect
Have students use The Couch Potato “webcam” sticker in a Microsoft Flip video
Students can use the sticker to explain why using technology all the time may not be best.
Click here to download the The Couch Potato “Webcam” sticker
The Smart Cookie
In part 4 of Johns and Oswald’s series, This cookie has never felt like a smart cookie no matter how hard she tries, especially in comparison to all the clever cupcakes and brilliant rolls in the bakery. But, a dash of creativity and a sprinkle of confidence helps her learn that perfect scores and having all the answers aren’t the only ingredients for intelligence! But the cookie doesn’t have to be the only creative one. With this activity, your students will be creating the perfect cookie with all the right ingredients!
Here’s how:
Read The Smart Cookie on Novel Effect
Download the Smart Cookie Canva template
Assign the template to your students
Students use the template to design a smart cookie and use text boxes to include things that you are good at!
Save your work and then share it on Seesaw!
Chrysanthemum
Kevin Henke’s “Chrysanthemum” gets children thinking about and bonding with their own names and the names of everyone else in the class. It's the perfect vehicle for starting a discussion about treating classmates with tolerance, kindness, and compassion. With Novel Effect, this book comes alive! Here’s an activity that we’ve done in our own classrooms:
Give each student a copy of the Chrysanthemum name tag
Students create a design for the name tag that describes Chrysanthemum’s feelings in the beginning, middle and end.
(This can be done digitally on Canva or Adobe Express - or simply with crayons)
Share your work on Seesaw!
Click here to download the Chrysanthemum name-tag (Canva) template
Wemberly Worried
Okay, we might be a bit biased on this one…Together, we’re the voice actors for the mother and father of this book on Novel Effect. In this book, Wemberly worried about everything. Big things. Little things. And things in between. Then it was time for school to start. And Wemberly worried even more. If you ever worry (or know someone who does), this is the book for you! Here’s one of favorite activities to do with it:
Read Wemberly Worried on Novel Effect
Have students use the Wemberly Worried “cover” sticker in a Microsoft Flip video
Students can use the sticker to explain what are some things that they worry about.
Enemy Pie
Derek Munson and Tara Calahan King’s “Enemy Pie” is a funny yet endearing story where one little boy learns an effective recipe for turning a best enemy into a best friend. This book is perfect for any time of the year - and often we see ourselves re-visiting it throughout the year. Here’s our favorite “Enemy Pie” activity!
Read Enemy Pie on Novel Effect
Use Canva or Adobe Express to find a recipe template (or use our Canva below!)
Assign the template to your students
Students use the template to design a recipe that includes ingredients to become a good friend.
Save your work and then share it on Seesaw!
A Bad Case of Stripes
David Shanon’s “A Bad Case of Stripes” is about a little girl who secretly enjoys lima beans. However, she’s concerned about what others might think of her if they learn that she loves them. Until one day - when everyone finds out! Here’s our favorite “A Bad Case of Stripes” activity:
Read A Bad Case of Stripes on Novel Effect
Have students use the Bad Case of Stripes sticker in a Microsoft Flip video
Students can use the sticker to explain what happens in the story, or even share something unusual that they like.
Click here to download the Bad Case of Stripes sticker
Hey Little Ant
Phillip Hoose’s “Hey Little Ant,” is about a surprising conversation between a tiny ant and a little girl. The book is bound to inspire important discussions about caring, kindness and respect for both animals and humans. Here’s our favorite activity:
Read Hey Little Ant on Novel Effect
Have students use the magnifying glass sticker in a Microsoft Flip video
Students can use the sticker to explain how the illustrations in the book may portray a different message. than the words.
Grumpy Monkey
In “Grumpy Monkey,” Suzanne and Max Lang bring hilarity and levity to this very important lesson on emotional literacy, demonstrating to kids that they are allowed to feel their feelings. This is a great lesson for any time of the year, and here is our favorite activity:
Read Grumpy Monkey on Novel Effect
Have students use the Grumpy Monkey sticker in a Microsoft Flip video
Students can use the sticker to explain how the illustrations in the text told a different story than the words.
Mae Among the Stars
Roda Ahmed’s “Mae Among the Stars,” is an inspiration to students to reach for the stars - no pun intended. We love how it encourages girls (specifically) to aspire for the impossible, and to persist with childlike imagination. Here’s our favorite “Mae Among the Stars” activities:
Read “Mae Among the Stars” on Novel Effect
Have students use the astronaut sticker in a Microsoft Flip video
Students can use the draw tool to add planets, stars, etc. Or, students can add stickers like a rocket!
Have the students retell the story as an astronaut!
Duck! Rabbit!
Amy Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld’s, “Duck! Rabbit!” has a clever take on the age-old optical illusion: is it a duck or a rabbit? Depends on how you look at it! Readers will find more than just humor here; there's also a subtle lesson for kids who don't know when to let go of an argument. Here’s our favorite “Duck! Rabbit!” activity:
Read “Duck! Rabbit!” on Novel Effect
Have students use the Duck Rabbit sticker in a Microsoft Flip video
Students can use the draw tool to add a duck bill or rabbit ears to share their opinion on whether the image is a duck or a rabbit
Have students watch the other responses and see if another student can convince them otherwise!
Click here to download the Duck Rabbit sticker
The Oldest Student
Rita Hubbard and Oge Mora’s “The Oldest Student” is based on the true life story of Mary Walker. Imagine learning to read at the age of 116! Mary, the nation's oldest student, did just that. We love this story for so many reasons and it can be used in lots of different ways. Here is just one of our favorite ways to use it:
Read “The Oldest Student” on Novel Effect
Have students use the Grandma Glasses sticker in a Microsoft Flip video
Students can use the sticker to retell the events of the story and Mary Walker’s life!
I Want My Hat Back
Jon Klassen is one of our favorite authors. We love his writing and artistic style. “I Want My Hat Back,” is a take on the classic repetitive tale, but it plays out in sly illustrations laced with visual humor. The reader(s) feels to be in on the joke, as the bear frantically looks back to find his beloved hat. Here’s our favorite activity:
Read “I Want My Hat Back” on Novel Effect
Have students use the red hat sticker in a Microsoft Flip video
Students can use the sticker to retell the sequence of events in the story!
This is Not My Hat
In part 2 of Klassen’s series, the hat series takes a bit of a twist. This time, we follow the character who deliberately took a hat from its owner. The character is confident, perhaps overly confident, which leads him into trouble. We really enjoy reading this book after “I Want My Hat Back.” This allows us to complete this activity:
Read “This is Not My Hat” on Novel Effect
Have students use the tiny hat sticker in a Microsoft Flip video
Students can use the sticker to compare / contrast “I Want My Hat Back” and “This is Not My Hat.”
Are You Scared Darth Vader?
In Adam Rex’s “Are You Scared Darth Vader,” nothing can scare Lord Vader! Not monsters or witches or ghosts, and especially not the dark. So what is Darth Vader scared of? A surprise at the end, that’s for sure! If you’re a Star Wars fan - or have kids that are, then this book is for you! Here’s our favorite activity:
Read “Are You Scared Darth Vader” on Novel Effect
Have students use the Darth Vader sticker in a Microsoft Flip video
Students can use the sticker to recreate the ending of the story: What else do you think Darth Vader might be scared of?
Those Shoes
In Maribeth Boelts’ “Those Shoes,” Jeremy desperately wants a pair of popular shoes. However, he soon sees that the things he has -- warm boots, a loving grandma, and the chance to help a friend -- are worth more than the things he wants. Here’s our favorite activity:
Read “Those Shoes” on Novel Effect
Give each student a copy of the Shoes template (this can also be done virtually on Canva or Adobe Express)
Students design a pair of shoes that they would like to give to a friend
Students share their thoughts in a Microsoft Flip video: “Why would these be perfect for your best friend?”
Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean's Most Fearless Scientist
Eugenie Clark devoted her life to learning about sharks. After earning several college degrees and making countless discoveries, Eugenie wrote herself into the history of science, earning the nickname "Shark Lady." Through her accomplishments, she taught the world that sharks were to be admired rather than feared and that women can do anything they set their minds to. This book by Jess Keating walks through those accomplishments! Here’s our favorite activity:
Read “Shark Lady” on Novel Effect
Have students use the underwater, mask and shark fin sticker sticker in a Microsoft Flip video
Layering is important for this to look correct. The underwater scene must be in the back. The next layer should be the mask - but if students place the mask layer in the back (behind the underwater scene) - it won’t look right.
Students can use the stickers to explain some of Eugenie Clark’s accomplishments
The Day the Crayons Quit
This classroom favorite from Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers features crayons that are feeling overworked and exhausted. What can the main character, Duncan, possibly do to appease all of the crayons and get them back to doing what they do best? We love spreading this book out over several days to talk about persuasion. One of our favorite activities uses trading cards made by the students for each character. Here’s the activity:
Read “The Day the Crayons Quit” on Novel Effect
Give each student a copy of the trading card template
Students select crayons of their choice and decorate the cards as they see fit
On the “level” section of the cards, students can rate each crayon on a scale of how persuasive was the color was in the story (1 being the lowest, 10 being the highest)
Students can save their work, then upload it to Seesaw!
Download all of our stickers!
Love what you see, but don’t want to have to download each sticker one-by-one? We’ve got you covered! Click here or the button below to download every Flip sticker from our activities above!
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For more tips, tricks and lesson ideas for making learning more interACTIVE, check out our books The InterACTIVE Class and Flipgrid in the InterACTIVE Class on Amazon!
