Storytelling Conference at Keene State College April 8
KEENE, N.H. 3/29/06 - In classrooms across the country, educators are turning to storytelling as a way to strengthen language skills, combat illiteracy, facilitate conflict resolution, and bridge cultural differences. On Saturday, April 8, families, educators, childcare providers, and storytellers will have the opportunity to gather at Keene State College’s Redfern Arts Center and learn the art of storytelling at the 15th annual New England Conference on Storytelling for Children.
This year’s keynote presentation, “Don’t Be Afraid of Wonder,” by internationally acclaimed storyteller Jay O’Callahan, will start the event at 9 a.m. Small-group workshops and presentations will follow. The registration fee for the conference is $80 (1/2 price for students).
The following workshops will be offered:
“Telling Stories from Other Cultures” with Derek Burrows, designed for teachers. Participants will examine issues that arise when telling multi-cultural stories.
“Creatures of Our Mind’s Eye” - Gail N. Herman will share animal stories that nurture kindness, concern, and confidence, and methods of creating stories for and with children.
“Once Upon a Caring Classroom: Bullying Prevention through Storytelling in the K-8 Classroom” - Elisa Pearmain will share stories and exercises for building awareness about bullying behaviors.
“The Play of Stories” - Jay O’Callahan will tell some short stories and explore ways to play with stories using sound, gesture, character, and imagery.
“Children Tell Stories,” with Beauty and the Beast Storytellers Martha Hamilton and Mitch Weiss. The duo will share their 25 years of experience teaching storytelling to K-12 students.
“Music, Rhythm, and Storytelling,” with Jay Cook and Steve Leicach, aka “African Rhythms and World Music.” A hands-on experience exploring music and rhythm as a foundation for and interaction with stories.
At 3 p.m., workshop leaders will perform at a storytelling presentation that is free and open to the public.
For more information or to register, visit www.keene.edu/events/storytelling, or contact Mary Mayshark-Stavely at mmayshar@keene.edu, 603-358-2232.
