There are those ideas that you come across that capture your whole heart. One day I was surfing the web for more ideas for storytelling and came upon Red Bird Crafts and Emily Neuburger. Emily designed the coolest idea – story stones. You must click over to her blog and take a peek at her story stones.
These stones are so endearing and beautiful. She has a great tutorial on how to make them. She also sells them. I am going to buy a set from her because there is nothing in the world like owning an original set – it will have Emily's special fairy dust!
Anyway, I knew instantly, I had to make a set of story stones for several of the fairy tales that I bring to the classroom. And – I knew I did not have the time to make the characters from scratch. I used images I already had. You can also search copyright free images in Google or Yahoo.
First I cut out the characters and selected the stones I would modge podge them on.
I put a coat of modge podge on the stone.
I positioned the character on top of the modge podge.
I applied a coat of modge podge on top and pressed the paper into the stone.
One mistake I made was getting the modge podge too thick on some of the stones. This would spot the image.
This is a set of story stones drying.
I am so excited to have the children use the stones to tell stories. I will report back how it goes! I am going to make more this weekend. And order a set of Emily's. It will be like Christmas when they arrive!
Oh, they are so lovely! I love the pictures. I want to go make some myself now! Thanks!
Adorable! I’m making these today!
I love this class, I think I’m just about done. Is there anything else I need to do? Will there be anymore units added? I’m not sure how to complete the class and get the certificate.
Thank you,
Stacey Mello
These look great. Twinkl have some lovely fairy tale pictures.
They do! I have used old story books from the turn of the century as well.
I have done these in the past with Handa’s Surprise and put the book and stones out in the small world play station. Some children recalled the original stories, others created their own story using the stones/characters.
I really love this idea, however I can’t help but wonder about diversity representation in the characters chosen.
Whose story does this become for children of color?
Kristenza
That is an incredible point. Thank you for bringing this to light.
These are fabulous! When I get my act together, will you share about these too – on Friday Fairy Tales? I’m sure I will get it together any day now – ummmm, right?
: )
I adore this idea!!! Fabulous and new twist on acting out stories! Thank you for sharing this wonderful idea!
Jenea
http://www.seedsofnoledge.blogspot.com
I just think Emily had a stroke of genius when she came up with this! The class reaction today was the final measure of how amazing this idea truly is! I urge you guys to give it a whirl!
Karen – yes, absolutely!
Sally,
Your new website is just gorgeous! Many thanks for all of your kind words and support re: my Story Stones. It is always so nice to visit your space. xo emily
Love love love love this idea! So adorable!
I Love This Idea! I will use this in my kindergarten classroom. I LOVE your images and haven’t found anything as beautiful. Do you know where you found your images?
The images came from SparkleBox.
I finally made a huge set of these – which turned out great – and can’t wait to use them with my students! So many possibilities for using them! Thanks so much!
Oh my goodness! I’ve been a teacher for over 20 years and have never seen this idea. I knew immediately that I must make some of these. Going to find some stones now.
I love this idea. I have seen her site before, and loved them, but never did anything with these stones. Now, after reading your blog, I am going to make a set for three bears with big, medium and small rocks for the beds, chairs and bowls. Thank you!!
Love love love that idea!
Hi there – not sure if my last comments were posted or not, but this is such a cute idea! I can’t wait to share it with my students. Would you happen to have a copy of the images you used? They are so cute! Anything you can share is greatly appreciated.
Thanks and take care!
stolau7@gmail.com
I found this clipart at http://www.sparklebox.co.uk/usa/
I have not put this information on the post due to some scandal around the company.
There are several fairy tale clip art sites from the UK to check out.
Hope this helps.
Sally
Thank you. These give me great ideas. I do my own art but it always helps to get a jump start from what others have done.
Love story stones. Favourite set is for the Very Hungry Caterpillar… first stone is the head… each segment of his body is another stone… one side is green with little legs on the bottom, the other side is a part of the story… the silvery moon, each of the foods he ate through, etc. A wonderful rock collection for children to retell the story!
I love the story rocks. I think after I get the children used to making stories with them I will put pictures of the kids in my class on them so they can make stories using their classmates. I’ll put them in the block center and they can make castles and houses for their settings.
Oooooooooh I want to do that! I have done it with wood. This is an awesomw idea!
I think doing the same thing on wood is a fantastic idea!
Oh, sadness! I headed to her blog, clicked the link to her shop on Etsy, but no products appear. I was hoping to buy a set and get myself going in that direction. It looks like I’m headed for a project…love love love this idea, and plan on using it this coming year in yet another 1st/2nd combo. Thanks as always, Sally!
Hi Sally,
I hand painted the very hungry caterpillar, my boys love them and I intend to use them once I start teaching 🙂 thanks for this info, It will be less time consuming than painting them by hand 🙂
Regards Tamara
I love this idea and I know my kids too.. Thanks
It is true magic!
I think I will print out a set with my students picture on them for additional play.
The children will bring those story stones to life! It’s hands on storytelling!
I am so excited to do this! We can bring the stones with is into the woods and use them there.
Us. Sorry I should proofread!
Love this! I made story natural wood blocks for my preschooler class – used pictures from http://www.crekid.com/Story%20Making.html and mod podge. Each cube is a theme, but they get mixed up and shaken and rolled – then the story gets interesting 😀
Oh, I love this idea! I am sure there are wonderful stories that come out of that fun!
I have been looking for some fresh ideas to make storytelling time more interactive and exciting. This sounds like a fantastic idea. I will check out Emily’s website and let you know how it goes in the classroom. Thank you so much for the inspiration.
Love this idea! 🙂 Thanks for the inspiration! 🙂
Hi Sally,i’d love to make some sorry stones with our children. I am wondering what is Modge Podge? I am in Australia, is there a similar product i can use here? Thankyou.
Sorry! Typo there. Story Stones that was.
It is like a glue that dries clear and seals the image to the stone.
I made story spoons….. There are pictures available through TPT you just print them up and then put them on a wooden spoon. The pictures would work on stones too.
HI
I’m in Australia we don’t have a thing called Modge Podge – is it craft glue?
L
Modge Podge is a decoupage glue, sealer, and finish. It secures the item, seals it, and leaves a nice matte finish on the paper or stone. You might ask someone at your home improvement store!
This is such an awesome idea!!! I’m thinking to also cut out the face of each child and have them make their own character to personalize a story! 🙂
Two year old children love to hear stories about them and they love to touch things so, I’m looking forward to adding this tangible idea to our curriculum by making a story stone about each child. I think they will enjoy the stories about themselves and their classmates!
Could you please post where you purchase the stones and the size? Thank you!
Love using stones with the children.
Great idea!!
It’s an awesome idea, the kids will enjoy listening to stories using stones!!
I’m in the process of finding the right stones,but instead of clip art I thought about using stickers and modge podge them to stay on, you would have to use the flat smooth stickers not the puffy ones. You could always paint on them if you like doing that and have the time. That’s a weekend project. Great activity to help promote Language and literacy.
I love the idea!!! children will love to use stones with their own face and make an story. Thank you for the lovely idea
I have always used my wool felted characters for story telling and then let the children be creative with them. They love it.
The story stones will give the children a whole new way of being creative. Love the idea.
when we telling story to students some of students share their ideas and add some points
Hi there,
I would love to make some of these – what is modge podge?
is it like PVA glue maybe?
Thank you so much for giving me the idea on how to introduce story stone to the children
Love the idea of story stones!!! I would like to use them by seeing what the children are interested in, and having different bags of story stone themes is a great idea. I was even thinking of having it be an activity where they can help make them or draw them as well.
What a lovely idea! I am underlock down and have woodglue would that work as well?
I made a set of characters for Goldilocks and the 3 bears. I just glued the paper onto popsicle sticks. The kids used them so much I replaced them with laminated ones on wider popsicle sticks for the class… and they each made their own paper ones to take home. Now I need to keep on adding stories.