For classroom teachers · With author Sigmund Brouwer
Bring story
into your
classroom.
Writing lessons, reading resources, and practical ideas from author Sigmund Brouwer—to help students find their stories and the confidence to share them.
Brouwer
Meet the author · Share with your students
Hello from
Sigmund.
Play this introduction to meet the author behind the stories. Start here before a school visit or a classroom writing lesson.
Talk together: After meeting Sigmund, what do you imagine his presentation will be like? What are you hoping to see, hear, or discover?
For every teacher · Free · No signup required
Free classroom
resources.
Help students compose ideas, bring them to life in words, and polish their writing. Explore the Story Ninja video, posters, student guides, and classroom activities—whether or not Sigmund is visiting your school.
Explore free classroom resourcesFor schools welcoming Sigmund
Author-visit
resources.
Make the most of your school’s Story Ninja presentation. Visit the dedicated resource page for your author visit.
Explore author-visit resourcesA little suspense. A lot of possibility.
Which story
hooks you?
Discover a collection of stories—any time of year. Each video brings together book trailers for its reading level, giving students a glimpse of different books and a reason to explore. Watch together, then discuss which story caught their attention and why. These resources are for every classroom, whether or not Sigmund is visiting your school.
Early elementary
Which story would you choose?
Which book looks most interesting to you? Tell a partner or draw what caught your attention.
Upper elementary
What caught your attention?
Choose one book from the collection. What made you curious—a character, a problem, or the setting? Explain why you would like to read it.
Middle school
What makes a story stand out?
Which trailer made the strongest impression? Discuss how its images, words, or suspense made you want to know more.
A classroom reading break · No visit needed
Watch. Listen.
Imagine what’s next.
Choose your starting point.
Play the book trailer collection for the level that fits your readers. Invite students to notice the different characters, settings, and problems.
Share a favourite.
Ask: “Which book would you pick, and what made you curious?” Students can discuss, draw, or write their responses.
Turn readers into writers.
Invite students to invent a title and a short teaser for a story of their own. What would make a classmate want to read it? Use this activity whenever your classroom needs a fresh spark.
Optional visit preparation · 5–10 minutes of discussion
Before Sigmund visits your school.
Start with a story.
If Sigmund is visiting your school, build anticipation for the assembly with a short classroom discussion after watching the videos. Students share their ideas with classmates and return to them after the presentation. No worksheet needed.
Meet Sigmund.
Play the Hello from Sigmund video for your class. What do students notice about his personality and his enthusiasm for stories?
Find the hook.
Watch the book trailer collection for your students’ level. Which stories catch their attention? What makes them want to know more?
Imagine the assembly.
Brainstorm together: What do you expect the presentation to be like? What are you hoping to see or hear? What would make it exciting for you? Collect a few predictions and hopes to revisit afterward.
Back in the classroom afterward: Which predictions came true? What surprised you? What story or idea stayed with you? Invite students to share with a partner, then draw or write about a favourite moment.
Looking for school presentation details? →A Story Ninja approach · Try it in class
Talk to
the page.
Writing is talking on paper.
Editing is thinking on paper.
Two different jobs—and a little permission to be messy. Help your students get the story out before asking them to make every sentence perfect.
Just talk.
Write as if you’re telling a friend a story. Let the ideas tumble out, even out of order. Keep going; spelling and the “right” word can wait.
Now think.
Read it like someone hearing the story for the first time. Put ideas in order, cut what doesn’t belong, and clear up confusing parts.
Try this together: Invite students to tell a partner a favourite memory, then write it as they would tell it. Save corrections for the second step.
Get the printable poster ↗PDF · Legal size (8.5 × 14 inches)
Click the poster to open the printable PDF.
Classroom writing lessons
Small steps.
Growing confidence.
Begin with the free Story Ninja Principles module, then explore three Grades 5–7 courses in creative writing, personal narratives and editing.
Use the recorded lessons and activities with your class, whether or not your school books a visit.
Start here · Free
Story Ninja Principles
Discover three perspectives on writing: developing ideas, putting them into words, and polishing the finished piece.
Creative Writing
Work toward a finished short story through four lessons with videos and writing activities.
From “What should I write?” to a place to begin.Explore creative writing ↗Personal Narratives
Turn real experiences into a finished personal narrative through four lessons with videos and writing activities.
Help students see that their experiences matter.Explore personal narratives ↗Editing
Learn to use an editing checklist to review and improve your writing.
Build the habit of looking again.Explore editing ↗Find the right fit for your classroom
Let’s talk about the lessons.
Visit each course page for details and registration. If you’re unsure where to begin, tell us your students’ grade level and what you’d like help with.
Classroom writing workshops · Led by Sigmund
Bring these ideas
into your classroom.
Choose a focused writing workshop led by Sigmund, or connect all eight lessons into a unit that takes students from their first story idea to a stronger draft.
Ebooks and audiobooks
The next story
starts here.
Keep the love of stories growing. Find your students’ next adventure in Sigmund’s ebook and audiobook collections.
School anthologies · A real audience
Give their writing a reason to shine.
Turn your students’ stories into a school anthology—a real book they can share with family and friends. Writing for an audience gives students a reason to start, revise, and take pride in their work.
For classroom teachers · Stay inspired
Get writing tips
from Sigmund.
Practical ideas for teaching writing in your classroom, story inspiration, and occasional ebook and audiobook discounts—delivered to your inbox.
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