Category: Learn Storytelling
Story-Skilled Child Workshops
Unique Parent-Involvement Training!
Teachers, Principals, Administrators, Leaders: How about a parental workshop that adults actually like? How about a workshop full of knowledge and usable teaching for parents?
Our unusual workshops focus on the oral-storytelling tradition to help parents create homes full of language. Homes full of language are an essential building block of literacy. For our Title 1 Parent Involvement programs: When you book our “Story-Skilled Child” workshops, you’ll help parents engage with their children’s education while easily building literacy and math skills. Together with our team, you will create memorable parent-involvement training that will leave your parents wanting more. They will be eager (and ready) to apply the content to their families from the first workshop they attend.
Our workshops and training will mesh with any parental-involvement program, with or without the Title 1 options.
They Say:
“The Story-Skilled-Child workshop was extraordinarily insightful and meaningful for any parent or educator. The workshop was not only entertaining but gave both parents and educators a new set of skills that will most certainly reinforce and celebrate literacy at school and in the home.” – Brian W., Principal, Sunset Ridge School
A Sackful of Features:
Fun!
Parents interact and engage with each other in the presentations. This isn’t an hour-long lecture on the history of literacy.
Authentic!
Seasoned, professional authors and storytellers teach sessions with decades of professional experience in schools and with their own children. Our focus and training are firmly rooted in the “what works” practice of communications, not just dry theory.
Learning Focused!
There are no “projected slides”* or long lectures. One or two sessions per school allow parents to ask questions and receive focused attention to their needs.
Practical!
Parents learn to immediately use their natural skills rather than having to add “one more thing” to their already busy schedules. The skills we teach blend seamlessly into the lives of families of all types, affirming what they already do well while giving them new ways (not checklists and charts) to integrate and encourage language in their homes.
Resources Used:
In addition to direct, live teaching and interaction, we feature two books as part of the learning.
In session one, each family will receive a copy of the “DaddyTeller” book by Sean Buvala. Focusing on the “put the book down” approach to oral storytelling, DaddyTeller will provide parents with eight stories to learn and use with their kids, applying the techniques taught and practiced in the first session. While the title has the word “Daddy” in it, the content applies to all parents and caregivers.
In session two, the focus is on family-history-based storytelling and interactive techniques for reading a book with a child. Each family will receive one of the great books for kids from our team at The Small-Tooth-Dog Publishing Group.
Let’s Talk. You could arrange a free demonstration workshop for your decision-making team. Please contact us at staff@smalltoothdog.com.
Notes:
*We don’t use “projected slides” for our workshops at most events except for large groups where some activities may require them.
**Presented in collaboration with The Small-Tooth-Dog Publishing Group LLC.
From Audience to Zeal: The Workbook
Enhance Your Learning!
Coming along after the original textbook, Laura S. Packer has a new WORKBOOK (at 92 pages!) companion volume to go with the original A to Z book! It’s a journal, it’s a guidebook, it’s a way to move from idea to implementation.
Designed to be a companion volume to “From Audience to Zeal: The ABCs of Finding, Crafting, and Telling a Great Story,” this workbook contains deep reflections, focused advice, intriguing readings, and active projects that will take your experiences in storytelling and oral communication to the next level. This workbook contains additional materials not found in the book.
Praise for the Workbook!
Laura has created a working text, a highly practical and useful book that is personal, powerful, and poignant. She captures in words and exercises what we need to do and hear. Using it will only improve your work in story. -Kevin Cordi, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Ohio University Lancaster; International Storytelling SIG Chair, National Council of Teachers of English
Get the Workbook!
You can order the spiral-bound version at this link. You can order the Ebook verison (.pdf) at this link.
Don’t Have the Textbook Yet?
Learn more about this project at this link here.
Hear the Interviews!
Sean Buvala and Laura did a series of interviews about this project. Hear them or read the transcripts at this link now.
Storytelling Creates A World….
Another quote from our new “Storyteller’s Journal #1.”
The graphic reads:
“I think you should know that sound, eye contact, energy
level, expressions, body language and content create
a world. Out of balance they create a half place,
one so awkward the listeners’ attention may wander away.”
The quote was contributed by Angela R. Hunt.
New: Storyteller’s Journal #1
Storyteller, who are you?
The Write-In Journal for the Oral Storyteller
Storyteller, who are you? What should you know? What is your place in the world’s oral storytelling traditions?
Dozens of Thought-Provoking Comments and Questions
We asked oral storytellers from around the world to answer the question, “What should storytellers know about the art and craft of storytelling?” You’ll find many of their responses in this write-in journal. In addition to the 30+ comments and 20 focused questions, you’ll find some blank pages for you to generate your own thoughts and ideas.
