The bell rang. Jim’s things were already in his red book bag, which looked brown under the white lights of the classroom. Zip! Zip! He closed the bag. He stood up and let out a sigh, “Ahhhh.” It was loud enough that other students and the teacher noticed. Jim... Read more
By Caty Weaver Kelly Ryan was making dinner. Her ten-year-old son Benjamin was watching television in the living room. Or, at least she thought he was. “Benny-boy, do you want black beans or red beans?” “Red beans, Mama.” Ben had come up quietly right behind her. “Don’t do that,... Read more
What’s the best way to improve your English? Of course, there are many ways. But big, easy reading is one of the best. And it probably has the most research and evidence to support it. What is big, easy reading? First, you read lots of books and stories. That’s... Read more
Story Power Hot
CoursesIdeasLevelsMovies Step 2BPublicStep 2Stories July 17, 2019
Dorothy looked up into the sky. And she started to sing. Her soft voice rose up gently in the air. Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high There’s a land that I’ve heard of once in a lullaby. Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue And the dreams that... Read more
Hank would never make it to the concert. There were too many problems. It was icy cold outside. He sat under a cover in the back of his light blue Cadillac car. He was heading to the city of Canton, Ohio, to give a big concert on New Year’s... Read more
Mike waited and waited. Was it going to be good news or bad news? Who would be in, and who would be out? Would he make the team or not? Finally, the coach put two lists on the door of the school gym. Mike looked at the list for... Read more
Four men were walking across a field. They were carrying a body wrapped up in white cloth. Their strong, black hands and arms supported the body as they walked on. Other men, women, and children walked behind. And the tall green trees listened. They listened to the cries of... Read more
A manager at a company was interviewing a job candidate. The manager said, “We need a very responsible person for this job. We need someone who can take charge.” The candidate’s eyes lit up, and he responded with great enthusiasm. “Sir, your search ends here! I’m the one. In... Read more
Max is running late. He hurries out the door of his apartment, holding a cup of coffee. Then he sees his bus. “It’s leaving!” he cries. Max starts to run, but he trips over a rock and falls. His coffee flies out of his hands and spills all over... Read more
ReadOasis Step 1 (Part 1) Jim sat into a soft, red chair. He looked down, and then he started to cry. “Am I asking too much?” he said. “I just want to be happy.” Dr. Jones gave Jim a box of paper tissues. “Thank you,” said Jim as he... Read more
ReadOasis Step 3 On February 5, 1860, a strange slave auction was held. The place was Plymouth Church in Brooklyn, New York. But this auction was backwards. Church members were buying the freedom of a real slave. On that day, the church raised $900, and they purchased a slave... Read more
Experienced in the Blues: Eric Clapton
ArtsCoursesLevelsListen!Music Step 2BProtectedStep 2Stories July 17, 2019 0
ReadOasis Step 2 In June 1999, Eric Clapton sold 100 of his guitars. And his 1956 Fender guitar went for the record price of $497,500. In total, the sale brought in $5 million dollars. And Clapton gave the money to a drug and alcohol clinic that he started. After... Read more
By Dr. Richard Wiseman ReadOasis Step 2 This exercise is all about the power of gratitude. Research shows that thinking about aspects of your life for which you’re grateful will make you feel happier. So spend a few moments thinking about just one thing for which you have a... Read more
A Book Trailer ReadOasis Step 4 Sorted is built from a group of old school friends, most of whom couldn't cook. Ben, a chef, started showing us his recipes on the back of *beer mats. And what began as a small group of school mates looking for food solutions,... Read more
By Ambrose Bierce ReadOasis Step 3 (Part 1) Editor’s note: This is a scary story and may not be appropriate for younger readers. In 1830, only a few miles away from what is now the great city of Cincinnati, Ohio, there lay a huge, almost endless, forest. The area... Read more
By O. Henry ReadOasis Step 2 (Part 1) "One thousand dollars," said the lawyer Tolman. His voice was severe and serious. "And here is the money.” Young Gill touched the thin package of fifty-dollar bills and laughed. "It's such a strange amount," he explained to the lawyer. His face... Read more
A Coach for Life (Step 2)
CoursesIdeasLevelsListen!PublicSports Step 2AStep 2StoriesTop Picks July 16, 2019 1
ReadOasis Step 2 (Part 1) The students looked at the score of the game. And they could not believe their eyes. But the numbers still read Notre Dame – 71, UCLA – 70. It was impossible, even unbelievable. Between January 30, 1971, and January 17, 1974, UCLA did not... Read more
ReadOasis Step 2 As you read or listen to this, what is your body saying? Does your body speak a language? Who does it speak to? We know that body language speaks to others. But some scientists say this. “Your body language speaks to you!” Specifically, your body talks... Read more
By Bret Harte ReadOasis Step 2 (Part 1) Roaring Camp was the noisiest gold mining town in California. More than one-hundred men from every part of the United States had come to that little camp. They stopped there for a short time on their way to getting rich. Many... Read more
By Cana Short ReadOasis Step 3 Harriet Tubman circa 1885 Hello. I am Harriet Tubman, formerly a slave in Maryland, but now a free woman. Freedom did not come easily—I only attained it by running away. I do not know why I waited so long to escape. Life on... Read more