Sample Workshops for Adults
Sue is an Illinois CPDU provider.
KidsTell it Write!
Sue’s enthusiasm for writing is contagious. With imagination and a willingness to experiment, Sue models effective, classroom-tested activities she uses with student writers. She’ll lead you through a series of fun, interactive activities designed to allow students to discover how they can bring a story to life before they pick up a pencil. Topics include: the Big 3, the Other Big 3, effective use of dialogue to move the story forward, important-interesting-supporting details, the importance of word choice, and more! Then prepare yourself for an incredible transformation in student writing once they learn they’ve got a fabulous story to tell!
“Content was rich and accessible, taught the way kids experience it with bodies and minds engaged.”
“Fabulous use of physicality to teach expository writing.”
“Your workshop made this entire conference worthwhile for me.”
“You have put this conference over the top for us!”
Stop Bullying Now
Learn the statistics, stories and activities Sue presents to youth in grades K-8. Discover the actions caring adults take to make a difference.
Storytelling...You Can Do It!
Explore the unlimited potential for using storytelling in your classroom, workplace, home, and life. Discover techniques to learn a story and bring it to life. Bring your imagination and a willingness to experiment with voice, dialogue, body language, facial expressions, and gesture.
Especially for teachers: Use storytelling as one of the building blocks in your literacy-rich environment to create enthusiastic readers! Encourage curiosity, questions and active involvement in stories. Model the energy, enthusiasm and playfulness in your storytelling that you want to inspire in your students.
This workshop is high energy and interactive – get ready to roll up your sleeves and give storytelling a try!
KidsTell! Students Tell Stories
Learn how you can take students in grades two through eight from first-meeting jitters to confident storytellers in this interactive workshop. Designed for classroom or after school clubs, adapt Sue’s lesson plan to fit your time-frame and curricular goals. This framework for developing student storytellers has been aligned with the Illinois State Learning Standards, Bloom's Taxonomy, and the 6 Traits of Writing program.
Digitelling
Learn digital storytelling techniques so that you can teach students in grades five through eight how to bring projects, presentations, reports, personal narratives, and stories to life. Digitelling© combines the power of storytelling with technology as it weaves narrative, images, and music together. This workshop gives detailed instructions so that you can help your students craft their project, then teach them how to present it in a simple, fun and creative way using Microsoft’s free PhotoStory3. Computer technology will empower them to take their story to a world wide audience! This workshop is presented in collaboration with Bev Frett, Library Media Center Director, IPSD#204.
Recent Workshop Presentations
KidsTell it Write!
- Illinois School Library Media Association Conference, Arlington Heights, IL - November 2010/ 2008 / 2007
- Project Arte, Statewide Migrant Education Workshop, Springfield, IL – June 2010
- Northlands Storytelling Network Conference, Green Lake, WI – April 2010
- Ann Arbor Public Schools staff development, Ann Arbor, MI – March 2009
- Illinois Gifted Educators Conference, Chicago, IL - February 2009
Stop Bullying Now
- Youth Services Librarians Staff Development, Western Springs, IL – November 2010
- Ann Arbor Parent’s Group, Ann Arbor, MI – February 2009
- Spring Brook School, Naperville, IL - December 2007
Storytelling...You Can Do It!
- Glenwood Public Library District, Lynwood, IL – June 2009
- Early Literacy and Illinois Reading Recovery Conference, Chicago, IL - January 2009
- University of Wisconsin Early Childhood Conference, Whitewater, WI – April 2009 / 2008
- Northlands Storytelling Conference, Green Lake, WI - April 2008
- IL Childcare Association Insights Conference, Itasca, IL – February 2008
- IL District U-46 Early Learners Staff Development, Elgin, IL – February 2008
- Sharing a Vision Conference, Springfield/Oak Brook, IL - October 2009 / 2007 / 2005
- Concordia University Young Learner's Conference, River Forest, IL - August 2009 / 2008 / 2007 / 2006
- Reaching Forward Conference, Rosemont, IL - May 2007
- Rockford Public Library- Early Childhood Educators, Rockford, IL - May 2007
- Young Learner's Conference, Champaign, IL - April 2006
- Skokie Public Library Staff Development, Skokie, IL - December 2005
- Wheatland-Salem PreSchool, Naperville, IL - November 2005
KidsTell! Students Tell Stories
- Chicago Public Schools staff development, Chicago, IL – November 2008
- Dukane School Library Institute, DuPage County, IL – February 2008
- Illinois School Library Media Association Conference, Springfield/Arlington Heights, IL - November 2008 / 2007 / 2006
- Illinois Reading Conference, Springfield, IL - March 2007 / 2006
- Sharing the Fire Conference, Nashua, NH - March 2006
- Frankfort School District 157C, Frankfort, IL - March 2006
- Northlands Storytelling Conference, Madison, WI - April 2005
- Illinois Gifted Educators Conference, Chicago, IL - February 2009 / 2005
- Sterling Public Library-Public Schools Staff Development, Sterling, IL - January 2005
- Lake Zurich District 95, Lake Zurich, IL - April 2004
- Betty Weeks Storytelling Conference for Educators, Evanston, IL - February 2004
Digitelling
- Illinois Gifted Educators Conference, Chicago, IL - February 2009
- Illinois School Library Media Association Conference, Arlington Heights/Springfield, IL November 2008 / 2007 / 2006
- Illinois Reading Conference, Springfield, IL - March 2007
- IPSD #204 Staff Development Class, Naperville, IL - February 2007
- Illinois Educators of Technology Conference, Springfield, IL - November 2006
- Betty Weeks Storytelling Conference for Educators, Evanston, IL - February 2005