Anne Matava has recently completed ten scripts for Houdini. Here is what she says about them:
Ben –
Three or four of these are some of the best scripts I’ve ever used, and the rest are solidly serviceable. The first one, the one about the rules of the house, the mother who is too busy to help the kid, and the one where the boy keeps spilling things on the girl, are all wildly hysterical. Laura [PLC member Laura Avila who works with Anne] has tested a few of them in Spanish and just raves about them.
It is crucial, though, that people have built a good foundation of language, both for the reading of the novel and using the scripts. Otherwise it is too clunky and too wordy. Given the latest development with the Net Hypothesis, however, (which I love by the way), I think we are right on track.
Anne
I agree that students need a good foundation before starting Houdini. I recommend it for the end of level 1 or any time during level 2.
The Houdini collection of scripts will first be available only in French and only in ebook form, and only Sabrina goes over them for the French (as most of you know, Anne is a German teacher).
The Spanish version is in the works and we should be printing and mailing hardback copies of books in both languages by spring.
What is even more exciting is that Anne may have by next summer Volume 3 of her Story Scripts. Now that will be worth waiting for!
