SEMLS Librarians Creating Joseph Had an Overcoat - 11-5-08

Friends:

Today, I presented a daylong professional development workshop for the Southeastern Massachusetts Library System. The first part of the workshop began with Handmade Tales: Stories to Make and Take, based on my book of the same name. The librarians learned all kinds of hands-on stories: cut and tell, draw and tell, fold and tell, string stories, and tales made with other “handy” props. Below, a librarian who drew “The Emperor’s Dragon, a draw and tell tale.

SEMLS Librarian with "The Emperor's Librarian," a draw and tell tale - 11-5-08

The librarians had a great time making Bandana Man.

SEMLS Librarians Creating Bandana Man - 11-5-08

After the morning session, we broke for lunch. My client, Vickie, took me to a cool place - Dave’s Diner, a 50s style diner that looked like a shiny silver rail car. The food was delicious and Vickie and I had a marvelous time.

We returned to the library for the second half of the workshop, Tangram Tales: Story Theater Using the Ancient Chinese Puzzle. I explained the origins of the Tangram, told a Tangram tale, and then instructed the librarians on how to create their own Tangram set without a pattern. Then the librarians worked with the Tangrams, manipulating them into different pictures.

SEMLS Librarian Creating a Tangram House - 11-5-08

After familiarizing them with Tangrams, the librarians did some of my story theater warm-up exercises.

SEMLS Librarians doing story theater warm-up exercises - 11-5-08

The workshop culminated in a group performance of a Tangram Story Theater - a West Indies story called “Tiger’s Tale, Anansi’s Stories.” Tangram Artists assembled Tangram pictures while the storyteller narrated the story. The group sang the story chorus together, using a tune and rhythm they created together.

SEMLS Librarians working together to perform Tangram Tales Story Theater "Tiger's Tale, Anansi's Stories" - 11-5-08

It was a fun workshop and I really enjoyed working with this fabulous group of librarians who are so passionate about their jobs. They enjoyed learning new storytelling techniques and assured me that they will definitely be using many of the stories and methods they learned at my workshop. Vickie was kind enough to share the evaluations…

“Fun! Kids will love this.”

“This was the best! Thank you, Dianne.”

“I will be introducing some new storytelling techniques to my Grade 1-5 classes.”

“What a privilege to meet Dianne and experience hands-on activities!!! Thank you!”

“Perfect!!!! I am going to practice fold-and-cut stories!!! Excellent presentation!!!”

“[Enjoyed] hands-on making Tangrams and ready-made stories to use. Oh yeah - we’re making Tangrams & doing a tie-in with a geometry initiative.”

“[Enjoyed] implementing math and literature easily into a story time. Dianne is a great public speaker. Keep smiling! You are doing a great job. You are very engaging.”

“I liked the hands-on workshop and I liked Dianne’s enthusiasm. I will try to use some of the ’simple’ Tangrams in story time.”

“This workshop helped me to bring my thoughts to life. It made everything come alive! I will use this tomorrow in my classroom and have a wonderful time! Absolutely wonderful! A+!”

“So hands on! Real things I can take back to the library and use. Thank you so much. This was one of the best workshops I’ve been to!”

When I hear feedback like this, I know I have chosen the right career path. I am so fortunate that my passion is also my job. Thank you Vickie Beene-Beavers and all the librarians, both from the local schools and from the Southeastern Massachusetts Library System. I had a marvelous time with you and feel very privileged that you invited me to share my storytelling techniques with you.

Happy Tales to You!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne