Long before there were schools, there were stories and storytellers. Listening to compelling stories well told helps children of all ages to make sense of the world around them. For younger children, elements of pattern, rhythm, and repetition enhance their developing command of language and communication.  For older students, the dilemmas of compelling problems and wise choices are played out as they visualize the stories they hear. As students listen, their whole minds are engaged.  As they respond to the story in discussion and in writing, they connect with the real world and with their own experiences. Students need storytelling. My school programs are presented in two formats: for small groups or in larger assemblies. SMALL GROUPS: In the standard day of small groups, I present five forty-five minute sessions per day with a maximum of sixty students per session. These sessions may be for individual classrooms or up to three classes combined and take place in the classroom or media center.  Small group presentations are highly interactive. Students comments and questions are welcomed throughout the presentation. ASSEMBLIES: The assembly model includes two back-to-back sessions for up to 250 students per session. These sessions are presented in the school auditorium, gymnasium or, where possible, in the media center. CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION ABOUT SCHEDULING FORMAT. Choosing just the right story to tell to a small group or a large assembly is key to my work. No two audiences are ever quite the same, so I draw from a large repertoire of folktales, fairytales, legends, and myths.  There's a story  that's just right for every audience. Some are whimsical tales, some are breathtaking adventures or thought provoking dramas. I choose the story that best suits the age and emotional development of each group. For most visits, I choose the story I think will be the best fit.  Story selection can also be arranged in advance to support specific curricula. CLICK HERE FOR AN OVERVIEW OF MY STORY REPERTOIRE My programs strongly supports the Common Core Curriculum in Language Arts and Social Studies. Teachers may request a program or residency that reinforces the specific content of current classroom instruction in either of these areas. Language Arts & Writing Language Arts are reinforced through descriptive language, story structure, plot patterns and phonemic awareness. Writing skills are supported by robust vocabulary and vivid details.  Discussion encourages students to make personal connections with the story they have heard, and to elaborate on their ideas.  Social Studies Social Studies classes hear authentic stories from the world cultures studied in each grade. These include stories from Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece & Rome, The Middle Ages, Native America,  China, and The Silk Road. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT CURRICULAR SUPPORT. I offer a writing-based residency using storytelling, artwork, and visualization to develop descriptive, detailed writing in grades 2-5. PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION Before visiting a school I provide each teacher with information about using folktales and storytelling in the classroom, as well as suggested follow up activities across curricula. CLICK HERE FOR A SAMPLE PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR MY CURRENT SCHEDULE OF FEES x