Unlock the Possibilities - Blog It Baby!

I have been asked a number of times about the in's and out's of blogging so I thought I would offer a workshop. I know some say blogging has gone the way of the dinosaur because everyone is all "a twitter" but while they are both useful I look at twitter as an appetizer and blogging as the main course. :)

I am offering a four hour workshop on blogging at my home in Massachusetts. I am 60 minutes south of Boston and 50 minutes east of Providence. The workshop will be a combination of information on blogging and a step by step process on creating your own blog using blogspot.com.  A portion of the workshop fee will go to LANES and massmouth as part of their fundraising efforts.

Bring your laptop and leave with a blog up and running. There will also be handouts for you to continue to learn after the day is done. And yes, if you don't have a laptop you can still come and learn.
 

As of today, my blog stats have passed the 54,000 mark with readers from Thailand, Japan, USA, Australia, Norway, Slovenia, Poland, Canada, France, Ireland, Egypt, Vietnam and beyond. Now while that may not be a lot for some businesses, for a small gal in tiny town I think that is pretty darn good, and you can do it too! Whether your are a performer, teacher or librarian, blogging is another way to  publicize your skills, promote your venues and connect with your clients/parents/students.

• Date: November 12, 2011 *Snow date (hey, it could happen) November 19, 2011
• Location: 97 Chipaway Road, East Freetown, MA
• Time: 11:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. (1/2 break hour for lunch)
• Cost: $65.00 with $15.00 going to LANES $15.00 going to massmouth. And since LANES and massmouth are 501 c3 organizations you can take a $30.00 donation for your taxes. I will provide some munchies and hot/cold drinks.

What you will be responsible for:

• Bringing your laptop 
• Having your first blog post of 300-500 words already typed on your computer. "Why?" So I can show you how to transfer it to your blog, pretty it up with a picture or two and hit that oh so satisfying "Publish" button!
• Your brown bag lunch * I have a microwave if you want to warm something up.
• A "can do" attitude!

 

Participants will be guided in the following:

• Choosing and uploading a template
• Adding and arranging Page Elements
• Searching for public domain pictures to complement the subject
• Uploading pictures from personal computer files
• Moving and arranging pictures within the text
• Embedding URL’s into text
• Changing font and picture size
• Adding color to text
• Constructing, Editing, Previewing, Saving and Publishing a blog post
• Monitoring and answering posted comments
• Uploading blogs to Facebook
• Signing up for Networked Blogs on Facebook
• Adding an RSS feed to the page
• Examining blog statistics

 

I hope you will join me. Space will be limited. Please email me at storybug@aol.com if you are interested or have any questions.

 

Rosh Hashanah - The Jewish New Year

The New Year
by Isidor Kaufmann

Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown on September 28 this year. Rosh Hashanah is a time of judgment and remembrance, on which God reviews and judges a person's deeds in the past year. It is a time of prayer and penitence. All debts from the past year are supposed to be settled before Rosh Hashanah.

It marks the beginning of the Jewish New Year and covers two of the 10 High Holy days that conclude with Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.

SYMBOLS

The food eaten and shared during Rosh Hashanah is very symbolic.

• Apples dipped in honey - A wish for a sweet year.
• Fish Heads – The desire to be on top, not the bottom of life in the New Year.
• Pomegranates -  Health, happiness and plenty because of their numerous seeds.
• Challah – Bread made with honey and raisins are another symbol of a sweet and happy year. Some decorate the Challah with birds, such as the dove symbolizing peace. It also symbolizes the cycle of the year.

The above information was gathered from the following websites:

http://www.akhlah.com/jewish-holidays/roshhashanah/rosh-hashanah-crafts/rosh-hashanah-stuffed-round-challah/ http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/rosh-hashana

I offer you some resources to help you celebrate the Jewish New Year.

STORIES

Capturing the Moon – A story from Chelm. One of my favorite stories to share.

http://www.jhom.com/topics/money/moon/helm.html

Fetzer Institute - Nine Jewish folktales high lightening generosity of spirit.

http://tinyurl.com/3fo2qod

Jewish Fairy Tales and  Legends by Gertrude Landa, 1919.  “This book is based on tales from the Talmud and Midrash. While some of the themes are familiar from fairy-tales and folklore from other traditions, the stories in this collection are infused with the perennial Jewish struggle for survival and dignity, as well as a large helping of gentle humor.”

http://www.sacred-texts.com/jud/jftl/index.htm

The Golden Mountain by Meyer Levin, 1932. “This is a collection of tales of the Eastern European Hassidic Jews, centering on the holy men Baal Shem Tov and Rabbi Nachman of Bratzlaw.” http://www.sacred-texts.com/jud/gm/index.htm

Storybug.net - Since apples are an important symbol in the celebration this link will lead you to a previous blog post on apples with stories, lesson plans and more.

http://karenchace.blogspot.com/2008/09/that-night-was-turning-point-in-season.html

BOOKS AND VIDEOS

Annotated Bibliography of Jewish Story Collections -
An extensive PDF file of resources compiled by Penninah Schram.

http://www.jewishstorytelling.org/node/3

The Best Kids Booksite – Lots of wonderful book suggestions to share with your students and children.

http://www.thebestkidsbooksite.com/thispartictopic.cfm?BookTopic=2583

Sources for Jewish Folktales and Stories

A PDF bibliography of books and videos for adults and children.

http://darimonline.org/links/sources-jewish-folktales-and-stories

CRAFTS

Perpetual Preschool - Easy crafts for preschool and up.

http://tinyurl.com/428t79g

Akhlah.com – Six crafts from simple to a little more challenging.

http://www.akhlah.com/holidays/roshhashana/roshhashanah_crafts.php


CURRICULUM

Akhlah: The Jewish Children’s Learning Network  – Amazing website with information and resources on all of the Jewish holiday and High Holy Days.

http://tinyurl.com/3s37ghy

Crayola.com – Lesson plans, crafts and coloring pages.

http://tinyurl.com/3qj8uqr

SONGS

Rosh Hashanah Songs
http://tinyurl.com/3vaqck5

Karen Chace

© 2011

This blog post was painstakingly researched and compiled by Karen Chace. Permission for private use is granted. Distribution, either electronically or on paper is prohibited without my expressed written permission. For permission please contact me at storybug@aol.com. Of course, if you wish to link to my newsletter via your website, blog, newsletter, Facebook page or Twitter please feel free to do so; I greatly appreciate your support and personal integrity.

Public Domain III - Folktales, Fairy Tales, Legends and Myths

Scheherazade
by Edmund Dulac

This is the third in a series of blog posts offering books that are now in the public domain. Some are found on the particular websites, others via Google Books. You may download many of them directly to your computer and in some instances to your Kindle or e-reader. I will be sharing more in the future but for now, on your mark, get set, read!!

The Algonquin Legends of New England by Charles G. Leland, 1894.  “This work contains a collection of the myths, legends, and folk-lore of the principal Wabanaki, or Northeastern Algonquin, Indians…” http://tinyurl.com/3d2b5nk

Among the Meadow People by Clara Dillingham Pierson, 1901 .http://tinyurl.com/yyzcgbk

Chinese Wonder Book - Meet The Nodding Tiger, The Man Who Would Not Scold, among others in these fifteen stories from Norman Hinsdale Pitman, c. 1919. http://tinyurl.com/3jzdjmf

Cossack Fairy Tales and Folktales by Robert Nisbet Bain, 1902 – Bain collected these folktales from Ruthenian, the language of the Cossacks, a language intermediate between Russian and Polish. http://tinyurl.com/2uklns8

Danish Fairy Tales – Forty-six tales collected by J. Christian Bay, 1899 –  “May this train of Danish Kings and queens, wise men and fools, princes and beggars…may they all be kindly welcomed…” http://tinyurl.com/6kso9qf

Fairy Tales of the Allied Nations by Edmund Dulac, 1916. Some of the stories will be familiar to storytellers but others are new gems. The illustrations make the reading even more enjoyable.

"This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net .”
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/25513/25513-h/25513-h.htm

The Fairy Tales of Marie-Catherine d´Aulony -Marie-Catherine lived in France during the time of Charles Perrault but her tales were shared in a more conversational style and usually featured a female protagonist. Many of her works were collected by Andrew Lang in his Fairy Books. http://tinyurl.com/ydh2hfe

The Golden Mountain by Meyer Levin, 1932 -  “A collection of tales of the Eastern European Hassidic Jews, centering on the holy men Baal Shem Tov and Rabbi Nachman of Bratzlaw…these magical realist stories of the Hassidic rabbis are encoded with deeper levels of meaning similar to Buddhist, Sufi, Celtic, and other spiritual traditions.” http://tinyurl.com/4j952xp

Green Willow and other Japanese Fairy Tales by Grace Adams, 1910 – Thirty eight stories from the Land of the Rising Sun, complemented by the gorgeous illustrations of Warwick Goble. http://tinyurl.com/4rzy5pg

Indian Why Stories – Sparks from War Eagle’s Lodge-Fire – Twenty-two stories collected by Frank B. Linderman, 1915. http://tinyurl.com/63sovcu

More Australian Legendary Folktales by Katie Langloh Parker from 1898. http://tinyurl.com/yczxfms

Myths and Legends of Our Own Land by Charles M. Skinner, 1896
http://tinyurl.com/ya9ko3n

Persian Tales by David Lockhard Roertson Lorimer, 1910 - Once upon a time there was a time when there was no one but God…so begins many of these wonderful stories from Persia. There is also a section vocabulary and pronunciation section at the end of the book. http://chestofbooks.com/fairy-tale/Persian/

The Stories Mother Nature Told Her Children, by Jane Andrews, 1888

http://tinyurl.com/y8bof2z

Summer Legends by Rudolph Baumbach, Translated by Helen B. Dole, c.1888. Twenty-two legends to celebrate the season including The Legend of the Daisy, The Clover Leaf, and more.

http://tinyurl.com/6jxsqhc

Tales of Laughter from 1908. A collection tales from Ireland, Spain, France, Russia and other countries from around the globe. They are sure to have you smiling with delight!http://tinyurl.com/3mzd7pr

And if you missed the previous blog posts of public domain story collections go to:

http://tinyurl.com/3dwd25f
http://tinyurl.com/3mpoeqy

© Karen Chace, 2011

Story Slams, Open Mics and Storytelling Guilds

Previously I posted these events in my bi-monthly newsletter but thought it might be more accessible here.

If you have a story slam, ongoing story event, guild, radio or television show dedicated to the art of storytelling and spoken word send me your information at storybug@aol.com . I will add it to the list. No fee, no strings attached, just sharing information!

Please follow the format below and use Times Roman size 12 font, black. No fancy colors, font or fliers to edit. Be brief, concise and informative, and don't forget your contact information. Let's build those audiences!

  
 

WEEKLY OR MONTHLY STORYTELLING EVENTS

 

UNITED STATES

 
ARIZONA

Phoenix, Arizona – Storytellers Open Mic - First Sunday of each month – 1:30 P.N –3:00 P.M. Try out your story in front of an accepting audience - Mama Java’s Coffee House - 3619 East Indian School Road, Phoenix - More Info: http://www.storytellermark.com/openmic/index.asp - Contact: Mark Goldman 602-390-3858 – Mark@StorytellerMark.com .

Phoenix, Arizona – East Valley Tellers of Tales - Second Saturday of each month – 10:00 A.M.–Noon. We gather to hear great stories and celebrate Storytelling Successes. Everyone is welcome; all tellers and listeners. - Scottsdale Civic Center Library - 3839 N Drinkwater Blvd. - Scottsdale - More Info: http://www.EVTOT.com - Contact: Mark Goldman 602-390-3858 – Mark@StorytellerMark.com

 

CONNECTICUT

Mansfield Center, Connecticut - VoiceMail an Open Mic for Storytelling - Held each month at The Mansfield General Store, Rte 195 Storrs Rd Mansfield Center. Come early for soup bar. Open mic slots of 5-7 minutes that begin at 7:00 p.m. The monthly featured teller goes on at 7:30 p.m. Donations will be collected and split 50/50 between the feature teller and the CT. Storytelling Center. There is more to come for more info contact producer Carolyn Stearns at 860-690-4292 mothermoo2001@yahoo.com

MAINE

Portland, Maine MOOSE! Maine Organization of Storytelling Enthusiasts. Open mic/Spoken Word at 7:00 P.M. followed by a featured performer at 8:10 P.M. the 2nd Wednesday of every month at the Portland Public Library 5 Monument Square Portland, ME 04101. See a list of performers and hosts at: http://moosetellers.ning.com/For more information contact: moose4events@gmail.com .

 

MARYLAND

Chevy Chase, Maryland - Tales in the Village - Storytellers Telling Stories to Adult Audiences. This is an ongoing series hosted by Ellouise Schoettler on the 3rd Wednesday of the Month @ 7:30 p.m. Admission is free! On March 21, 2012 this event will feature Noa Baum: Noa Scrolls - Stories of Non-Biblical Proportion. For additional information contact Ellouise at ellouise9112@aol.com or Noa at storytelling@noabaum.com .

 

MASSACHUSETTS

Cambridge, Massachusetts - The Story Space is a venue for storytelling that meets everyTuesday evening at 7:00 P.M rain or shine. Eight-minute open mic slots for any story you want to tell, try out, or refine. There is also a scheduled featured teller who has 30-45 minutes for a longer story. The venue was started in 1992 by Brother Blue and Ruth Hill, and we are proud to continue it in their honor. We meet at Out of the Blue Art Gallery, 106 Prospect Street in Cambridge, a short walk from the Central Square T-station. There is also free parking after 6:30 in two lots on Prospect Street - look for the barrier arm pointing up (i.e., open) at the parking lot entrance. $5 donation requested. For more information, visit www.StorySpace.org

Lynn, Massachusetts - SPEAK UP! The Walnut Street Coffee Cafe, 157 Walnut Street, Lynn, MA. Come to the Walnut Street Coffee Cafe for the best in poetry, storytelling, jive talking, etc. Sign up for the open mike starts at 7:00 P.M. with the actual talking kicking off at 7:30 P.M. Contact Tony Toledo at ToledoGoat@aol.com or 978-921-GOAT(4628) or 781-477-0700.

MINNESOTA

Minneapolis, Minnesota - Winter Storytelling Series - First Thursday of the month, January through April 2013 at 7:30 PM featuring Richard Rousseau and guest tellers: January 3 / Jim Stowell and February 7 / Loren Niemi - Anodyne Coffee House, 4301 Nicollet Ave. S. Minneapolis. No Charge - Donations Accepted - More Info: Richard Rousseau 651-649-1757 or RWR1350@aol.com .

MISSOURI

Kansas City , Missouri - River and Prairie Storyweavers First Thursday of the month, 7:00-9:00 PM. Kingswood Manor Retirement Center, 10,000 Wornall Road, Kansas City, Missouri Open telling with themes. South Meeting

Kansas City , Missouri - River and Prairie Storyweavers. Second Saturday of the month,

2;00-4:00 PM. First Bank of Missouri Community Room. 5959 NE Antioch Road, Kansas City, Missouri. Open telling and storytalk. North Meeting.
NEW HAMPSHIRE

Franklin, New Hampshire - Tea & Tales 120 Canal Street T.R.I.P Center. Doors open at 7:00 P.M. and stories start at 7:30 P.M. Featured teller begins at 8:10 P.M. Come and share in the refreshments and share a tale of your own. More info: Lauretta Phillips lphillipstale@comcast.net

Portsmouth, New Hampshire – Seacoast Storytellers storytelling guild meets first Wednesday of the month, September thru June, in the Hilton Garden Room at the Portsmouth Public Library from 6:30 – 8:30 PM. For more information contact Debra Ballou at dballou@aol.com or

603-749-9634

Rochester, New Hampshire - Storytelling in the Pantry - Catering to the Spoken Word at The Portable Pantry at 12 Hanson Street on the 2nd Friday of each month. Different theme; take part in the open mic, or just come to listen and enjoy! For information call 603-948-2035.


NEW YORK

Saugerties, New York - Every last Wednesday of the month, beginning October 26, 2011. Diverse tellers with stories for grownups. "Stories for Inquiring Minds" at Inquiring Mind Bookstore, Main & Partitions Sts. 845 246 5775 or Janet Carter 845 399 7730.

 

 

PENNSYLVANIA

Murrysville, Pennsylvania – StoryWorks Storytelling Guild Monthly Meeting – Second Monday of the Month, September – May at the Murrysville Community Center, 3091 Carson Avenue, Murrysville, Pennsylvania 15668. The Guild offers a monthly venue for storytellers and those interested in storytelling to share their tales, discuss storytelling and receive coaching. Sponsored by the Murrysville Community Library. For more information please call 724-307-8679 or email Joanna@joannademarest.com.

VIRGINIA

Fredericksburg, Virginia - Tell Fredericksburg -True stories on a monthly theme, 2nd Saturday of each month at 8:00 p.m. at Read All Over Books, 307 William Street, Fredericksburg. For more information, contact Maura -- maura@tellfredericksburg.com.

WASHINGTON

Seattle, Washington - Auntmama’s Storycorner sponsored by the Seattle Storytellers' Guild. Last Thursday of every month, 7 to 8:15 p.m. at Madison Park Starbucks. 4000 East Madison Street, Seattle, Washington 98112. Each month offers a unique theme, a featured teller, and regulars such as Kathya Alexander, Olubayo, and Auntmama. For more information: SeattleStorytellers.orgor Auntmama.com, contact info@seattlestorytellers.org.

 

GUILDS/STORY SWAPS - USA


ARIZONA

Phoenix, Arizona – East Valley Tellers of Tales Storytelling Guild, an affiliate of NSN – A safe place to tell your story. Second Saturday of each month – 10:00am - Noon.Scottsdale Library – Civic Center Branch - 3839 N Drinkwater Blvd. Website/Info: http://www.evtot.com Contact Mark Goldman at 602-390-3858 – Mark@StorytellerMark.com


CALIFORNIA

Claremont, California – Inland Valley Storytellers – Story swap and business meeting on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in the Claremont Forum, at The Packing House, 586 W. First St. in Claremont. For information contact John St. Clair at john@inlandstorytellers.org

Culver City, California - Community Storytellers, a story swapping group, meets the second Thursday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in Room 11, Culver-Palms Methodist Church, 4464 Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City. For more go to http://www.communitystorytellers.org/
or contact communitystorytellers@gmail.com or 424.234.TALE (424.234.8253)

Pasadena, California – San Gabriel Valley Storytellers – Story swap and business meeting on the 4th Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at the Hastings Branch Library, 3325 E. Orange Grove in Pasadena. For information contact Nick Smith [626-298-6532 or nick.smith@inlandstorytellers.org

COLORADO

Alamosa, Colorado - March 10, 2012 - San Luis Valley Spellbinders sponsored Story Swap at the Alamosa Public Library from 10:00-11:30 a.m. Bring a story to share or come to listen. Family friendly, children welcome. (storiesbyjulie@amigo.net)

ILLINOIS

Batavia, Illinois – The Fox Valley Storytelling Guild meets on the fourth Tuesday at Bethany Lutheran Church, 8 S. Lincoln Street starting at 7:30 PM. The guild is a member of the Fox Valley Folklore Society and has as its mission: “To encourage the telling of stories by sharing stories with listeners, fostering storytelling skills, and serving as a resource in our community.” The Fox Valley Folk Music and Storytelling Festival is held each Labor Day weekend in Geneva, Illinois. For more information, contact Donna Dettman, 630-879-6891 or ddettman57@gmail.com .

 

Chicago, Illinois - The Chicago Storytelling Guild meets the third Tuesday of the month from 7:30-9:30 pm, at the Oriental Institute on the University of Chicago Campus- corner of 58th and S University Street; parking available. Our 15th year nurturing storytellers, sharing stories, honing our craft, networking and welcoming story listeners who want to find out what this thing called storytelling for adults is all about! Producers of Tellabration. RSVP or questions: 312-925-0439, juhestories@aol.com; or jeffro1165@sbcglobal.net

Chicago, Illinois – ASE: The Chicago Association of Black Storytellers meets every second Sunday at Christ the Mediator Church, 31st and Calumet from 2:30 to 5:00 PM. We share stories, plan events, and discuss the business of storytelling. Come out and join us on our storytelling months of April, August and December (stories start at 3:30 pm). The December meeting may be at a different location. Contact Gwen Hilary 312-842-3062 or ghilary@sbcglobal.net .

McLean County, Illinois - Twin City Tale Spinners - We meet the third Thursday of each month September through May at the Normal Public Library in "Uptown" Normal, IL. We meet from 6:45 PM to 8:45 PM in the community room in the lower part of the library. Everyone ages 12 and over is welcome to attend our monthly story-coaching sessions. Children younger than 12 are welcome if a responsible adult attends with them. The contact person for the guild is Mike Lockett, President of the Twin City Tale Spinners, 309-454-2300, email at Mike@mikelockett.com

MICHIGAN

Ann Arbor, Michigan - Fourth Sunday of each month (excluding December, July & August), 2- 4 pm, Nicola's Books with the Ann Arbor Storytellers' Guild - Monthly Guild Meeting - We start with stories and cram the business into the last half hour. Visitors welcome. Details at www.annarborstorytelling.org or contact Judy Schmidt at FransDotir@aol.com

 

MISSOURI

St. Charles, Missouri - McClay Library, 2760 McClay Road, St. (636) 441-7577. Second Monday Story Swap -- May 9 (and subsequent second Mondays*), 6:30 p.m. The library will provide coffee. Feel free to bring snacks if you wish. Directions: Page Ave onto MO-364 W. Take the exit toward Muegge Rd. Keep left at the fork and merge onto Muegge Rd. Turn left at Old Missouri 94 W/N Outer Rd. Turn right at McClay Road. Library is on the left (before Hackmann Road.)

 

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Concord, New Hampshire - Central NH Storytelling Guild Monthly Meetings The Guild meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 7:00 P.M. at Horseshoe Pond Place Senior Center Community Room 26 Commercial Street, Concord, NH 03301 (old Page Belting building) for more information contact George Radcliffe gradcliffe@mcttelecom.com

Portsmouth, New Hampshire – Seacoast Storytellers storytelling guild meets first Wednesday of the month, September thru June, in the Hilton Garden Room at the Portsmouth Public Library from 6:30 – 8:30 PM. For more information contact Debra Ballou at dballou@aol.com or 603-749-9634


NEW MEXICO

Taos, New Mexico - April 7, 2012 Story Tellers of New Mexico Taos sponsored Story Swap at the Taos Public Library from 2:00-3:30 p.m. Bring a story to share or come to listen.
(575-751-3442)

TENNESSEE

 
Jonesborough, Tennessee - Weekly spoken word performances, 7-8:30 PM, the Jonesborough Storytellers Guild, Telling Tales Downtown since 1994. 100 W. Main Street, Jonesborough, TN 37659. Contact: Saundra Kelley, 423-913-2166; saundrakelley@hotmail.com .


WISCONSIN

Lacrosse, Wisconsin - Bluff Country Tale Spinners storytelling guild meets monthly, year-round 2nd Thursday of every month 7:00 pm at Grounded Specialty Coffee house 308 Main St. Storytellers and general public welcome. Contact: wachutateri@yahoo.com

Milwaukee, Wisconsin – The Milwaukee Area Story Tellers (M.A.S.T.) guild meets every third Friday of every month 7:00 pm at Mount Mary College – 92nd and Burleigh; parking lot at 92nd St. entrance. We've been meeting here for over 25 years as we pass the storytelling stick to share tales, welcome new tellers (and story-hungry listeners), encourage story crafting, and catch up with storytelling news. M.A.S.T. has sponsored TELLABRATION! since 1990. For more info contact Jean-Andrew: 414-962-4425 or jean-andrew@storylore.net .

St. Charles, Missouri - McClay Library, 2760 McClay Road, St. (636) 441-7577. Second Monday Story Swap -- May 9 (and subsequent second Mondays*), 6:30 p.m. The library will provide coffee. Feel free to bring snacks if you wish. Directions: Page Ave onto MO-364 W. Take the exit toward Muegge Rd. Keep left at the fork and merge onto Muegge Rd. Turn left at Old Missouri 94 W/N Outer Rd. Turn right at McClay Road. Library is on the left (before Hackmann Road.)

CANADA

A Storytelling Circle takes place every Tuesday afternoon from 2:15 to 3:15 at 6 Saint Joseph Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Saint Joseph Street is north of Wellesley Subway Station on the west side of Yonge Street. We tell personal stories and favourite tales. #6 Saint Joseph Street is an artists resource centre for people who are at a crossroads in life. Contact: Molly Sutkaitis . mollysutkaitis@hotmail.com .

STORY SLAMS

Asheville, North Carolina - The Synergy Story Slam - Join us every first and third Monday of the month for a community-based, open mic story slam at The Magnetic Field, 372 Depot St., Asheville, NC. Each slam features a different theme, and a portion of the proceeds from door donations with go to benefit a different community organization. Anyone can throw their name in the hat to tell a true, personal story on the theme of the night. Winner of the slam takes home a cash prize and an invite to tell at the annual Grand Gala Slam. More information at http://www.synergystoryslam.com/ , or by calling Fynn Crooks at (828)450-7293.

Boston, Massachusetts - massmouth, inc. has taken Boston and the surrounding area by storm with events geared towards the spoken word, modeled after The Moth in New York. Themes are changed each month and vary by location. Tellers have five minutes to tell their best true story based on the theme. For all of the information, locations, dates and times go to http://www.massmouth.com/

Connecticut - Campus Slammer – Modeled after massmouth story slams seven colleges go head to head in Story Slam competition. All the guidelines can be found on http://www.connstorycenter.org/ site and regular updates, samples and tips found on the blog http://www.anansihelps.blogspot.com/ .

Commerce, Michigan - RED Thread Stories Story Slam - Second Tuesday of every month through April, 2013. Doors open at 5:00 p.m., stories start at 7:30 p.m. LIFE...LIVE, SPOKEN AND TRUE. Share your true story live, on stage with our audience. Contact karen@redthreadstories.org, call 248-766-4323 or go to http://www.redthreadstories.org/.

 

 

School Daze, School Daze

Storybook Girl, Edmund Dulac

It is almost time for school to begin here in Massachusetts and some schools around the country are already in session. Through the years I have researched and compiled curriculum connections to complement a variety of  topics and themes in my blog posts and have compiled all of them  here. I hope this makes it easier for you to find some lesson plans to use in your work.

May the coming school year bring you joy, satisfaction and the knowledge that you are appreciated!

"The teacher who is indeed wise does not bid you to enter the house of his wisdom but rather leads you to the threshold of your mind."
                                      ~ Kahlil Gibran

ARBOR DAY

From the Mango Tree and Other Folktales from Nepal - Classroom Guide http://www.sarahlamstein.com/MangoStudyGuide.pdf

How Many Leaves - A Book for Early Readershttp://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/plants/leaf/howmany/

Indiana Department of Natural Resources - Arbor Day

http://www.in.gov/dnr/forestry/5319.htm#anchor719935

ART

An Education Resource from the North Carolina Museum of Art - Grades 6-8 http://ncmoa.org/artnc/content/lesson/wordDoc/45.pdf 

Information about Water Lilies by Monet 

http://www.ehow.com/about_5100967_information-water-lilies-monet.html

BULLYING

• A Guide for Educators – Bullying, It’s Not Just Child’s Play from the University of Pennsylvania. Although this information was compiled and published in 2002 there is still useful information for educators and administrators. http://pubs.cas.psu.edu/freepubs/pdfs/ui367.pdf
• Anti-Bias Lesson Plans and Resources for K-12 Educators: Words That Heal – Using Children’s Literature to Address Bullying - A good place to start if you are planning a program or lesson on anti-bullying. The site offers discussion guides, extension plans statistics and an annotated bibliography of children’s fiction. http://tinyurl.com/66kyjp 
• Children’s Literature to Address Bullying - A good place to start if you are planning a program or lesson on anti-bullying. The site offers discussion guides, extension plans statistics and an annotated bibliography of children’s fiction. http://tinyurl.com/66kyjp 
• COPS – Center for Problem-Oriented Policing by Rana Sampson – Bullying in Schools
• http://www.cops.usdoj.gov/files/ric/publications/e07063414-guide.pdf
• Cyberbullying.org – From our friend in Canada, a useful website with related resources. http://www.cyberbullying.org/ 
• Education Guardian – A number resources that specifically address bullying in the United Kingdom. http://tinyurl.com/3okglg9
• Education World - Many sites, activities, lessons plans and resources to use in the classroom and community to help eradicate bullying. http://tinyurl.com/26r2l48
• International Bullying Preventions Association – Research, newsletter, conference information and more. http://www.stopbullyingworld.org/
• Seeds of Peace - "A non-profit, non-political organization dedicated to preparing teenagers from areas of conflict with the leadership skills required to promote coexistence and peace. Their outreach program also includes a Conflict Resolution CD Rom which is used in both Israeli and Palestinian schools. They also publish The Olive Branch, an online magazine to further their work in the world.” http://www.seedsofpeace.org/
• Stop Bullying Now - This site is full of resources to help address the problem of bullying. There are specific areas for teachers, administration, communities, parents and other professionals. There are also games and webisodes for children to help them deal with the issue of bullying. Use this link to access the main page. http://www.stopbullyingnow.com/
• Stop Bullying.gov – Information for parents, teens, educators on intervention, monitoring and prevention. http://www.stopbullying.gov/ 
• Story-Lovers.com – Jackie Baldwin offers a collection of stories, books, and more to assist you in presenting an anti-bullying program. http://tinyurl.com/34jazlr 
• Unlocking the Classroom: The Storytelling Project’s Anti-racism Curriculum - “…developed at Barnard and in NYC schools and includes over 30 lessons for high school students that include arts-based storytelling activities to discuss racism.” http://tinyurl.com/25zwa8r

CHINA

China Word Search
http://tinyurl.com/35cspxe

Education World - Celebrate the Year of the Rabbit

http://tinyurl.com/32xxno3

Chinese Proverbs

http://tinyurl.com/4francl

Chinese New Year Printables and Worksheets 

http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/chinese-new-year/printables/

CINCO DE MAYO

• Cinco de Mayo Word Search http://homeschooling.about.com/od/holidays/ss/cincoprint.htm
• Cinco de Mayo Vocabulary
• http://homeschooling.about.com/od/holidays/ss/cincoprint_2.htm
• Cinco de Mayo Crossword Puzzle http://homeschooling.about.com/od/holidays/ss/cincoprint_3.htm
• Cinco de Mayo Challenge
• http://homeschooling.about.com/od/holidays/ss/cincoprint_4.htm
• Cinco de Mayo Alphabet Activity http://homeschooling.about.com/od/holidays/ss/cincoprint_5.htm
• Mexico for Kids - There’s something here for everyone; fun and useful information on the various indigenous cultures, music, traditions, myths and stories.
• http://www.pocanticohills.org/mexico/mexico.htm

COLLECTING FAMILY HISTORIES

• Family Traditions - UNC Education - Grade 1 
  http://www.learnnc.org/lp/pages/2856
• Family Traditions - Utah Education Network 
  http://www.uen.org/Lessonplan/preview.cgi?LPid=599
• Learning to Give - Traditions of the Family 
  http://learningtogive.org/lessons/unit67/lesson1.html
• Read Write Think - My Family Traditions: A Class Book and a Potluck Lunch http://tinyurl.com/2d96by6

CONFLICT RESOLUTION

Easy to Read Folktale Plays to Teach Conflict Resolution – Extension Activities to complement the story of The Grateful Statues. http://tinyurl.com/2f6gaka

Peace Corp World Wide Schools – Lessons plans to fit a variety of subjects from Grades 3 – 12. http://tinyurl.com/c3ktlq

Anti-Bias Lesson Plans and Resources for K-12 Educators A good place to start if you are planning a program or lesson on anti-bullying. Discussion guides, extension plans, statistics and an annotated bibliography of children’s fiction. http://tinyurl.com/66kyjp

Race Bridges - The artists associated with this organization are accomplishing amazing work and offer free lesson plans and resources. Take a moment to cross the bridge and envision a brighter world! http://www.racebridgesforschools.com/

Teaching Tolerance - Promoting Peace - This is a collection of resources I have gathered over the years. http://www.storybug.net/links/peace.html

CRABS

The Barnegat Bay Watershed

http://www.bbwa.org/crab_curriculum.htm 

National Park Service – Glacier Bay Crabs Lesson Plans 

http://www.nps.gov/glba/forteachers/glacier-bay-crabs-lesson-plans.htm

DRAGONS

Fntastic Adventures with Dragons, Gods and Giants – Grade 3http://tinyurl.com/3d8f6mq

San Diego Zoo - The Lifestyle of the Komodo Dragon - For grades 4 – 6; facts, activities and more on this interesting and ancient creature http://www.sandiegozoo.org/teachers/curr_komodo_dragon.html

EARTH DAY

Planet Pals.com - This is a colorful, fun and information filled website on all things Earth: Lesson plans and activities for both teachers and parents, the history behind Earth Day, coloring pages, puzzles, clip art and so much more. http://www.planetpals.com/index.html 

EGGS

The Talking Eggs Study Guide – This guide is connected to the book by Robert San Souci, an adaptation of the Creole folktale. http://www.rsansouci.com/pages/studyguides/talkingstudy.htm

Egg Theme Unit Elementary Reading Lesson Plan - Integrated Reading and Elementary Science Activity – How Eggs Hatch http://tinyurl.com/4lsoatg

Egg Theme Unit – Elementary Science Lesson Plans http://www.suite101.com/content/egg-theme-unit-elementary-science-lesson-plans-a98126

 

ELEPHANTS

The Blind Man and the Elephant

http://www.peacecorps.gov/wws/educators/lessonplans/lesson.cfm?lpid=295

The Elephant Sanctuary – Two units focusing on the study of elephants offering teaching and learning activities for children grades K-8 consisting of 72 pages of instruction, background information, charts and graphs, activities, etc. http://www.elephants.com/curriculum.php

KidsParkZ – Story starters, elephant shapes and more for young children. http://www.kidsparkz.com/elephants.html

Shape Book from ABC Can Teach

http://www.abcteach.com/free/members/15411.pdf

FAIRY TALES

• Brothers Grimm - Magic figures predominately in their fairy tales. Here is a lesson plan to complement a story from their work. http://tinyurl.com/64a6wqw 
• Reading Rainbow – Classroom extensions for Liang and the Magic Paintbrush http://www.shopgpn.com/guides/rr/7.pdf
• A Magic Seed - English Language Arts Grade 2
• http://its.guilford.k12.nc.us/act/grade2/act2.asp?ID=554
• Teacher Resource for The Magic Paintbrush – From Australia, a very useful resource with classroom extension to complement the tale. http://www.cambridge.edu.au/education/resource/sample_2_728317.pdf
• Multicultural Fairy Tales –The Stuff of Magic – Curriculum Unit
• http://www.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/2004/2/04.02.01.x.html
• Fairy Tale Printables
• http://abcteach.com/directory/theme_units/literature/fairy_tales/

FISH

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources – This curriculum was designed to complement a 2011 art contest. Although the contest has now passed, the curriculum information is still very useful .http://tinyurl.com/6dueswb  

The Pacific Salmon and Steelhead Coloring Book – Children will have fun coloring while learning all about lives of these fish.
http://www.fws.gov/pacific/publications/salmnbk.pdf 

What’s the Catch? Fish Contamination Educator Curriculum Guide – This is a pdf file "aligned with the CA Science and Social Science standards, National Science Standards, Ocean Literacy Principles and Education in the Environment Initiative Concepts for 4th-8th grades.” http://tinyurl.com/633mgxk

FROGS

A Frog’s Life – Lots of information to share with your audiences from the American Museum of Natural History. http://tinyurl.com/ykyypoz

Suite 101.com – Information on the mythology and folklore associated with frogs. http://tinyurl.com/y93hchv

Tiddalik the Frog Folktale Reading Lesson Plan - Teach How to Compare and Contrast Setting, Character, Plot. - http://tinyurl.com/y8pxy8f

 

GROUNDHOG DAY

Groundhog Day Activities! – Poetry, songs, art and more.http://www.artisjoy.com/ghactivities.pdf

How Did the Groundhog Get a Day of His Own?   

http://wilstar.com/holidays/grndhog.htm

Student Activity – Ground Hog Day Map 

http://tinyurl.com/34z7vxo

Groundhog Day Crossword Puzzle http://homeschooling.about.com/od/holidays/ss/groundhogprint_3.htm

Groundhog Day Word Searchhttp://homeschooling.about.com/od/holidays/ss/groundhogprint.htm

Natures Big Sleep by Gardner Soule – An article from Popular Science magazine on the science of hibernation.

http://tinyurl.com/69a9d3u

Hinterland Who’s Who – Interesting fact sheet on woodchucks. 

http://www.hww.ca/hww2.asp?pid=1&id=109&cid=8

Urashima Taro by Edmund Dulac, 1916

JAPAN

Japanese Folktales Lesson Plans for K-8 http://tinyurl.com/btzck2  

Teacher’s Resource Guide: Japanese Art and Culture Outreach Kit - Although you may not be able to borrow the actual kit, there are many helpful curriculum ideas in this guide you may duplicate on your own. http://tinyurl.com/cby5p6









Children’s Books on Japan K-8 

http://www.ceas.ku.edu/outreach/documents/children-lit-review-japan.pdf
Activity Village – Make your own carp kite or origami to celebrate Kodomo no hi (Children’s Day). There are many other crafts, activities and printables to make this Japanese national holiday shine! http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/childrens_day_japan.htm

HALLOWEEN

Halloween Games for the Classroom - “A collection of fun and educational Halloween games that build math and language skills for grades K-5. With Halloween-themed versions of games like tag, musical chairs, and “Pin the Tail on the Donkey,” you’ll teach your student’s math and language skills while still enjoying the holiday. Your students will think they’re playing but will be learning at the same time!” * Requires subscription to access full information. http://tinyurl.com/ya4hn36

Lesson plans to complement the works of Edgar Allan Poe. 

For grades 9-12

http://tinyurl.com/yelpp64

For grades 6-12

http://tinyurl.com/ydfp93u

For grades 6 -8http://tinyurl.com/y9agcyf

Not Just Halloween: Festivals of the Dead From Around the World 

Learn how other cultures celebrate the holiday with this interesting article and complementing links on Japan, Mayan, Aztec, Mexico and more.

http://tinyurl.com/5wwwz6

LIGHTHOUSES

Education World – Grades 3-5

http://www.educationworld.com/a_tsl/archives/00-1/lesson0075.shtml
Keeping the Lights for Kids by Elinor De Wire http://permanent.access.gpo.gov/websites/crm.cr.nps.gov/archive/20-8/20-8-12.pdf
Learning From Lighthouses – A Webquest for intermediate grades. http://www.yorkville.k12.il.us/webquests/webqwilliams/webqtwilliams.html

Lighthouses of North Carolina – Math and social studies for grade 4.

http://its.guilford.k12.nc.us/act/grade4/act4.asp?ID=459
Teacher’s Lighthouse Resources for grade K-4 – Offered by the United States Coast Guard
offers a rich history of lighthouses from past to present. http://www.uscg.mil/history/articles/LighthouseCurriculum.pdf

MAPLE SUGAR

School of Forest Resources – Lesson Plan for Kindergarten classes. http://sfr.psu.edu/youth/sftrc/lesson-plans/forestry/k-5/maplesyrup

Maple Syrup Classroom Activities – Word search, coloring pages, crossword puzzle,

vocabulary and more.  

http://homeschooling.about.com/od/freeprintables/ss/maplesyrupprint.htm

Vocabulary Sheet – Match the definition with each word.
http://tinyurl.com/3hy44kc

Maple Syrup Lesson Plan – Grade 3 

http://www.uwsp.edu/education/pcook/unitplans/syrup.htm

Teach Children About Maple Sugaring  

http://www.suite101.com/content/teach-children-about-maple-sugaring-a103814

NATIVE AMERICANS

Wampanoag Culture and History Links – Geography, lifestyle and traditions, books and more. http://tinyurl.com/njqk6y

Wampanoag Indian Fact Sheet for Kids 

http://www.bigorrin.org/wampanoag_kids.htm

Learning to Give – Native American Lesson Plan for grades 9 – 12 in Arts, Language Arts, Library Technology, Philanthropy and Social Studies. Includes numerous folktales to share. http://learningtogive.org/lessons/unit226/lesson12.html


All ‘Bout Cranberries - A comprehensive cranberry curriculum for grades K-8 covering many aspects of cranberry growing and takes the user on a journey from the Cranberry Bog to the Kitchen Table. It is designed to give students an appreciation of Massachusetts number one food crop through problem solving and thought provoing activities. http://www.cranberries.org/cranberries/teachers.html

American Indian Leather Painting– For grades 5-6, students will create stories that resemble ol Indian leather paintings. Students will tell a story using only pictures and drawing them in sequence so others can read the story back. http://tinyurl.com/6q8jjt

PIRATES

New England Pirate Museum – Educational material from Elementary School to High School, including historical perspectives and poems and biographies for teachers. http://www.piratemuseum.com/educ.htm

SAINT PATRICK’S DAY

St. Patrick’s Day Theme – For grades Pre-K to 1 http://www.eduref.org/Virtual/Lessons/Social_Studies/Holidays/SSH0202.html
Across the Curriculum – St. Patrick’s Day Activities  http://tinyurl.com/3dos4ot

Mifflin County School District – This is like find the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow! Wonderful links, including the history of Ireland, activities, stories and more.

http://www.mcsdk12.org/curr/Holidays/stpatrick.htm

Read, Write, Think – For grades 1 – 12.

http://tinyurl.com/2g5wvm4

 

Young Lady in a Conservatory
by Jane Marie Bowkett (1837-1891)

SPRING - FLOWERS, BEES, PLANTS AND SUN


Leap into spring with ABC Teach.com Counting games, math facts, printables, word searches and more. http://tinyurl.com/bqmmvc   

Cross-Curriculum Flower Activities - An Elementary Gardening Theme Unit
http://tinyurl.com/3zswm5h 

Spring Theme Activities for Young Children
http://www.preschoolrainbow.org/preschool-spring.htm

Flower Week Theme Lesson Plan
http://www.adaycare.com/PreschoolCurriculumSample5.html

Early Childhood Sun Protection Curriculum
http://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/SkinCancer/Documents/skin_sunproteccurriculum.pdf

Flower Facts and Trivia – Add some interesting trivia about flowers to your storytelling or classroom lesson plans. http://www.angelfire.com/journal2/flowers/pcd11.html

• Flowers in the Classroom - Grades 5 to 8 Language Arts: Legendary Flowers lesson plan including myths, folktales and legends of flowers. http://www.teachertube.com/support_files/1390.pdf
• Honey Bees and Cultural Attitudes - Grades: 4-6 Essential Skills: Literature, Language Arts, Social Studies Students explore how honey bees are portrayed in art and literature. It also offers a comprehensive and age appropriate bibliography at the end. http://ag.arizona.edu/pubs/insects/ahb/lsn25.html
• The Teacher’s Guide: Plants and Flowers - Lots of lesson plans and ideas to keep the ideas blooming! http://www.theteachersguide.com/plantsflowers.htm

THANKSGIVING


The Pilgrims Voyage: A Map and the Mayflower - This project teaches geography and history. The student makes a map of the voyage and a tiny replica of the Mayflower. http://tinyurl.com/mauanx The First Thanksgiving - Visit web sites about the Pilgrims, the Wampanoag, and the famous harvest feast and learn new facts along the way. http://tinyurl.com/2ef6xck 

General Thanksgiving - Proclamation by President George Washington.
http://www.earlyamerica.com/earlyamerica/firsts/thanksgiving/thankstext.html

The National Day of Mourning - Not everyone has the same view of the national holiday of Thanksgiving. For a Native American view go to: http://www.pilgrimhall.org/daymourn.htm

What Do You Eat? - A lesson unit on comparing how others eat in developing countries. http://www.planusa.org/docs/smsmw/quest2.pdf

TRICKSTERS

Aesop and Ananse – Animal Fables and Trickster Tales
http://edsitement.neh.gov/lesson-plan/aesop-and-ananse-animal-fables 

Fable and Trickster Tales From Around the World 

http://edsitement.neh.gov/lesson-plan/fables-and-trickster-tales-around-world

The Trickster Around the World
http://tinyurl.com/3c2xa9p

Trickster Tales Lesson Plan  

http://www.pps.k12.or.us/schools-c/pages/dart/Trickster_Tales_EC-LA_A_(WP).pdf

Fables and Trickster Tales From Around the World – From Edusitement, lesson plans, information and stories, everything you need to introduce your students to those globe-trotting tricksters, Anansi, Brer Rabbit, Fox, and Rabbit. http://tinyurl.com/23trr 

WATERMELONS


Teacher's Guide - More curriculum ideas than watermelons have seeds!

http://www.theteachersguide.com/watermelondaylessons.htm

WIND AND ENERGY

Energy Educators – Lesson plans about the wind for elementary, intermediate and secondary level classes. http://www.energyforeducators.org/lessonplanstopic/wind.shtml

Lesson Plans Directory - K-12http://www.lessonplansdirectory.com/renewable_energy/wind_energy.html

Traditional Stories About the Wind - Please note, this is a pdf file.

http://tinyurl.com/4q5y2z4

 
WINTER AND SNOW

Science - "Flakes of Snow" crystals. 

http://www.LessonPlansPage.com/to/12-08-Snowflakes

Snow Flake Crystals - See how amazing snowflakes really are with close up photographs that will amaze your students!

http://www.its.caltech.edu/~atomic/snowcrystals/photos/photos.htm
Bulletin Board - Add to your classroom with cooperative snowmen for the bulletin board.http://www.LessonPlansPage.com/to/12-08-Sneaky

Snowy Weather Resources Around - Here's a lesson on where snow comes from.
http://www.teachervision.fen.com/weather/resource/3827.html

What do animals do in winter? Help your students find out! 

http://www.eduref.org/Virtual/Lessons/Science/Animals/ANM0201.html

Winter Activities Work Sheets – Crossword Puzzles, Anagrams and more.http://www.dltk-holidays.com/winter/worksheets.htm

   

WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH


The Library of Congress: Women’s History Month - Features biographies, audio clips, images, classroom materials, and links to relevant collections and exhibits. http://www.loc.gov/topics/womenshistory/

National Women’s History Project - An educational nonprofit organization founded in 1980. Their mission is to “recognize and celebrate the diverse and historic accomplishments of women by providing information and educational materials and programs.” Search by category, state or discipline.

http://www.nwhp.org/

 Notable Women Ancestors - From adventurers to witches the site offers a brief synopsis for each woman with a link to additional biographical information.

http://www.rootsweb.com/~nwa/index.html

ABC Teach - http://tinyurl.com/y9em546 

Footsteps to Success - http://tinyurl.com/yld8r9e

Library of Congress: Women's History Month Resources and Multimedia http://womenshistorymonth.gov/

Long Ago and Maybe Far Away 

http://tinyurl.com/yjvjvyn

Mother and Daughter Griotshttp://tinyurl.com/ybyb2le

National Education Association: Women of the Century 

http://www.nea.org/tools/lessons/Women-of-the-Century.html

Women's Words of Wisdom

http://www.nea.org/tools/lessons/Women-s-Words-of-Wisdom.html

© 2011 Karen Chace