SCHOOLS

STORYTELLING IS ESSENTIAL TO EDUCATION

Stories come alive for school audiences in a way that differs from all others.

When students are connected with stories, their imaginations and critical thinking are fully and powerfully engaged. Every time I tell a story to a classroom or an assembly, it feels like the students’ minds are doing what they are designed to do. They visualize; they construct meaning; they ask questions.

DIFFERENTIATED, GRADE APPROPRIATE PROGRAMS

With hundreds of stories in my repertoire, and thirty years of experience in K-12 classrooms, I take pride in my ability to choose “just the right story” for any particular audience, large or small. I respond to the academic and emotional development of each group. There is always a balance between activating listeners’ prior knowledge, and challenging them with new ideas.

FLEXIBLE PROGRAM STRUCTURES

As a solo performer, my programs are completely flexible. My visits to a school can be structured in many ways, to fit the requirements of scheduling, space, and budget.

ASSEMBLIES

Assembly programs are for audiences ranging from 75 to 250 students, usually in an auditorium or cafeteria setting. These may be for a single grade (in larger schools) or a cluster of grade levels. (1-3 or 4-6, for example). In smaller schools, it is possible to include multiple grades (1-6, for example).

Assemblies are typically 45-50 minutes, include a brief question-and-answer exchange at the end of the performance.

CLASSROOM PROGRGAMS

Programs in the more intimate setting of the individual classroom or library, these sessions can host up to three classes combined (maximum 60 students). These sessions allow for a more targeted range of curricular connection and academic level. These sessions are somewhat informal and allow for more questions and discussion throughout the program.

Small group programs are typically 45 minutes. I can present up to 4 sessions in a day (5 in a pinch).

RESIDENCIES

Some schools invite me for residencies, ranging from three to twenty days. Some schools have hosted me as an “arts-partner,” making weekly visits for an entire school year.