Sample Workshops / Residencies for Students
KidsTell! Students Tell Stories
Students in grades two through eight read, select, adapt, and learn to tell folktales from around the world in this school, library, or park district residency adapted to fit your timeframe and curricular goals. Sue’s enthusiasm is contagious as students learn the importance of voice, dialogue, body language, facial expressions, and gestures to communicate effectively. As students present their stories to their peers or younger listeners, the literacy circle is complete – Read! Write! Tell! Listen!
Storyteller/Story Writer
We've got a story to write! But where do we start? With a story, of course!
Sue models effective storytelling followed by a discussion of the elements of a good story.
Then Sue leads students through a series of fun, interactive activities designed to allow them to discover how they can bring a story to life with a little imagination, some knowledge of the basics, and a willingness to experiment. Topics include: beginning, middle, end, characters, setting, problem, solution, effective use of dialogue to move the story forward, important-interesting-supporting details, the importance of word choice, and more!
In this workshop students unlock the Who? What? Where? When? Why? How? and Whew! of their stories before they pick up a pencil. Then prepare yourself for the incredible transformation in student writing once they learn they’ve got a fabulous story to tell!
Digitelling
Students in grades five through eight bring projects, presentations, reports, personal narratives, and stories to life using digital storytelling techniques. Digitelling© combines the power of storytelling with technology as it weaves narrative, images, and music together. Students learn to craft their story and then tell it digitally 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 Workshops/Residencies with Students
KidsTell! Students Tell Stories
- Robert Clow Elementary School Storytelling Club, Naperville, IL – Year-long residency 2008/2007/2006/2005/2004/2003/2002
- Co-producer, Clow School Storytelling Festival, Naperville, IL - May 2008/2007/2006/2005/2004/2003
- Evanston District 65, Oakton School, Evanston, IL, - April 2008 / 2007
- Forest Road School / LaGrange Park, IL – January 2007
- Montessori School Storytelling Club, Batavia, IL – April 2006
- Freeman Partnership School, Aurora, IL - January-March 2006
- Joliet Central High School 21st Century Project, Joliet, IL - March 2006
- Meadow Glens School Storytelling Club, Naperville, IL – October, April 2005
- Lincoln School, Sterling, IL - April 2005
- Mill Street School, Naperville, IL - May 2004
- Indian Prairie School District Summer of Learning, Naperville, IL - July 2003
Storyteller/Story Writer
- Glenview Public Library, Glenview, IL – March 2008
- Robert Clow Elementary School, Naperville, IL – December 2007 / October 2006
- Oak School, Hinsdale, IL – November 2007
- Immanuel Lutheran School, East Dundee, IL – November 2007
- Tate Woods Elementary School, Lisle, IL - March 2007
Digitelling
- The "Tattle Tales" Middle School Storytelling Club, Naperville, IL – January-March 2007
Partial funding may be available through the Illinois Art Council and the Arts-In-Education program.
Sue welcomes the opportunity to work with you to present a program tailored to your needs at an appropriate price.