Tuesday, December 31, 2019

Crossing Over Into the New Year: Bridges in Folktales, Myths, and Legends

The Ponte Salario (The Old Bridge)
by
Hubert Robert, 1775
Soon the New Year will be here, a time to reflect on the past, rejoice in the future, and remember those who helped us along the way. I hope 2020 will find us all smiling more, laughing longer, and building bridges that will bring us all closer together. 

Wishing you the warmth of friends and family as we ring in a brand new decade full of positive possibilities!


STORIES

The Bloody Bridge – United States

The Bridge of the Gods – Native American

The Devil’s Bridge – Twelve versions from around the world.
http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/type1191.html

Haunted Covered Bridges and Their Legends

The Legend of the Magpie Bridge – China
http://www.novareinna.com/festive/valmagpie.html

My Lord Bag of Rice - Japan

The Old Bridge – United States



The Pedlar of Swaffham - England

The Rainbow Bridge - Greece


Three Billy Goats Gruff – Various versions from around the world.
http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/type0122e.html

BOOKS

15 Adorable Children’s Books for Your Little Architects


CRAFTS

Building Bridges Engineering Activity - PreK

Suspension Bridge

CURRICULUM

The Three Billy Goats Gruff Steam Bridge Building Activity

SOMETHING EXTRA

Terri Windling – Troll Maidens and the Magic of Bridges



“So the bridge was mended and my story's ended.”
From Lady Featherflight in TheOak-Tree Fairy Book



Please note, websites change at a rapid pace and weblinks may change or break without notice. I cannot be responsible for redirected or broken links.  At the time of this posting all links were in working order. Thank you for understanding.

Karen Chace 2019 ©
This blog post was 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 blog via your website, blog, newsletter, Facebook page or Twitter please feel free to do so; I greatly appreciate your support and personal integrity.



Thursday, December 19, 2019

Toss Your Tale

A Game of Dice
by
William Joseph Shayer 1787-1879
I am always looking for new ways to help my storytelling students with their performance skills. This year I have quite a few students who speak very softly when sharing their stories. Of course we practice how to use a microphone but I always discuss that the microphone is there to assist them, not do the work for them. 

Recently, some of the students told their stories during class and I realized this would create a problem when they were telling from the stage. I improvised a game that day and asked for a volunteer to demonstrate the new activity. It was fitting that the child who volunteered is one of the quieter students. I happened to have a large, foam dice (found at the Dollar Store) in my rolling classroom (suitcase) that day and the new game Toss Your Tale was born.


Directions:
  • A student stands at one end of the room. The teacher stands at the other end. Make sure there is a good distance between you and the student.
  • The student tosses the dice as far as they choose and the teacher moves to that spot. (Interestingly, none of the students chose to throw it softly so it landed close to them but rather threw it as far as possible.)
  • The number rolled on the dice corresponds to what they will do, making sure their voice carries enough (without shouting) so the teacher can hear exactly what they are saying.
  • The teacher repeats what they have said to demonstrate that they have heard the student clearly.


Dice numbers:
  1. Share one line of story dialogue using the emotion you give them. For example, they may have to speak as if they are mad, happy, bored, frustrated, angry, etc.
  2. Describe a character from your story.
  3. Share something that is happening in the middle of your story.
  4. Tell the end of your story.
  5. Describe something from your story using one of your five senses: taste, touch, hearing, seeing, smell,
  6. Describe a gesture from your story, demonstrating and exaggerating it.

Of course, you may change the choices for each number if you choose. If you have a large enough space, for example, if you have access to an auditorium, you could also play this game by breaking up the students into pairs. Each pair has one dice and the set of corresponding numbers above. All pairs play the game simultaneously; switching partners so each student has a chance to play the game,

The students enjoyed this game and everyone was able to use their voice effectively. A lovely side effect of this game was that the children instinctively added body language, facial expressions, and gestures, regardless of what number came up on the dice. It is my hope that the skill will carry through the next time we practice their stories.

The link below will lead you to another interactive game I invented for my students where I also use a foam dice.

Dicing Up Your Story
https://karenchace.blogspot.com/2014/11/dicing-up-your-story-new-storytelling.html

These games are free for you to use in your work. However, I do ask that you respect copyright and offer attribution.
You can find additional original interactive activities and worksheets in my book Story by Story: Creating a Student Storytelling Troupe.

Please note, websites change at a rapid pace and web links may change or  break without notice. I cannot be responsible for redirected or broken links.  At the time of this posting all links were in working order. Thank you for understanding.

  



Karen Chace 2019 ©
This blog post was 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 blog via your website, blog, newsletter, Facebook page or Twitter please feel free to do so; I greatly appreciate your support and personal integrity.



Thursday, December 5, 2019

Cooking Up Stories: Herbs and Spices in Folklore, Myth, and Legend

A Dinner of Herbs
by
George W. Joy
1844-1925

While National  Herb and Spices Day isn’t until June 10 the holiday season finds many of us baking and cooking up a storm. I thought I would share some of these tales now in case you want a taste of some stories to spice up your winter repertories.

Happy holidays one and all! May you be surrounded by those you love and those who love you.







STORIES

The Discovery of Salt – China

The Dreammaker – Scotland

Epsen Ashlad and Redfoks – Norway


King’s for Breakfast! - Hindu


Lion Who Took Woman’s Shape – South Africa
http://www.sacred-texts.com/afr/saft/sft39.htm

Love Like Salt Fourteen versions from around the world.

The Maiden Who Loved a Star – Native American
http://www.sacred-texts.com/nam/se/wsgr/wsgr20.htm

Redfox and Askeladden – Norway (An adapted version of Epsen Ashlad and Redfoks)

Salt - Russia

The Turtle and the Lizard - Philippines

Why Dogs Sniff - Portugal

CRAFTS

5 DIY Decorating Ideas to Deck the Halls (with Herbs!)

Cinnamon-n-Spice Ornaments Herbal Style

Cinnamon-n-Spice Ornaments Craft Style

Herbal Play Dough

RECIPES

Recipes with Spices and Herbs

A Taste of Home: 57 Recipes with Fresh Herbs

SOMETHING EXTRA

Granny Sue’s News and Reviews Herbal Legend and Lore: Rosemary, Sage, Fennel and Marjoram


Herb Facts for Kids

Herbal Folktales for Fall – This blog has wonderful information about herbs that would be delightful, educational additions to herbal stories in your repertoire.
https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/herbal-folktales


Into the Woods: The Folklore of Food by Terri Windling
http://www.terriwindling.com/blog/2014/12/the-folklore-of-food.html


Please note, websites change at a rapid pace and weblinks may change or break without notice. I cannot be responsible for redirected or broken links.  At the time of this posting all links were in working order. Thank you for understanding.

Karen Chace 2019 ©
This blog post was 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 blog via your website, blog, newsletter, Facebook page or Twitter please feel free to do so; I greatly appreciate your support and personal integrity.


Monday, November 25, 2019

Chinese New Year 2020: The Year of the Rat


The Chinese New Year of 2020 falls on January 25th and the festival will last to February 8th. According to the Chinese zodiac 2020 is a Year of the Rat.

  • The rat is the 1st animal in the Chinese Zodiac, an every 12th Chinese new year heralds the start of another year named for this clever animal.
  • It has characteristics of an animal with spirit, wit, alertness, delicacy, flexibility and vitality. In Chinese culture, rats were seen as a sign of wealth and surplus. Because of their reproduction rate, married couples also prayed to them for children
  • People born in the year of the rat are thought to be generous witty, alert, and flexible. On the other hand, they are also thought to be a bit stubborn and picky.
  • The recommended occupations for rats are artist, author, teacher and doctor.


The above information is shared from the following websites:


A well-known legend or origin of the Chinese Zodiac tells the tale of the Jade Emperor who invited the entire animal kingdom to take part in a race. The first 12 animals to cross the river would be assigned a year of the Chinese Zodiac system.

All of the animals were very excited and the news spread quickly. On the day of the race all of the animals gathered at the river and rat won the race. You see, although he was the smallest animal he used his bran and played a little trick! To read the rest of the story click the link below:

STORIES


The Monkey with the Tom –Tom – Southern India
https://www.pitt.edu/~dash/type0170a.html#kingscote

The Pied Piper of Hamelin - Germany
And the poem written by Robert Browning with gorgeous illustrations here.
https://archive.org/details/piedpiperofhamel00brownyctest2


The Rat Princess - Japan

The Rats and Their Daughter - Japan

The Rat’s Wedding – Northern India
https://www.pitt.edu/~dash/type0170a.html#steel 

The Story of a Monkey – Philippines
https://www.pitt.edu/~dash/type0170a.html#cole

The Story of the Rat and Her Journey to God – Romania



BOOKS

Gift of Curiosity – Books About the Chinese New Year for Kids

CRAFTS AND ACTIVITIES

Education.com – Make a Chinese Zodiac Mask: Year of the Rat

Enchanted Learning – Crafts and Activities for the Chinese New Year

First Palette – Chinese Paper Lanterns

Make an Origami Rat

Printable Coloring Pages: Year of the Rat

FOOD

Food Network – Chinese New Year Recipes

SOMETHING EXTRA

Chinese New Year Taboos


Please note, websites change at a rapid pace and weblinks may change or break without notice. I cannot be responsible for redirected or broken links.  At the time of this posting all links were in working order. Thank you for understanding.

Karen Chace 2019 ©
This blog post was 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 blog via your website, blog, newsletter, Facebook page or Twitter please feel free to do so; I greatly appreciate your support and personal integrity.


Thursday, November 14, 2019

World Kindness Day



Reine Lefebre and Margot before a Window
by Mary Cassatt, 1902
"Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see." ~ Mark Twain 

I know I am a few days late but truly, it's never too late to be kind. November 13 is World Kindness Day. Spread some kindness with these lovely tales?





STORIES

The Crystal Heart – Vietnam

Evil Allures But Good Endures – Russia

The Fairy Shilling – Ireland

Great Joy the Ox – India

Old Woman Who Was Kind to Insects – Inuit/Native American

The Princess Mouse – Finland


BOOKS

Thirty-five Children's Books That Teach Empathy and Kindness
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/childrens-books-empathy-kindness_l_5d52e7b1e4b0c63bcbee2699


CRAFTS
55 + Kindness Activities for Kids

https://kidsactivitiesblog.com/68659/55-kindness-activities-kids/

Teach Kids Kindness with Crafts
https://www.craftfoxes.com/blog/kindness-crafts


ADDITIONAL RESOURCE


Storytelling and Empathy - My previous blog post from my National Storytelling Magazine column.
http://karenchace.blogspot.com/2019/08/stor-e-telling-fall-2018-storytelling.html


Tuesday, August 13, 2019

Stor e Telling Fall 2018: Storytelling and Empathy


Young Man with a Candle
Michel Gobin, 1685
Empathy is an important part of our humanity. Below are some links to complement this issues theme and explore how it relates to our storytelling work and life.

The first three links “… explore how stories serve important functions in our day-to-day life, a reality that social justice advocates can harness for awareness raising and motivating public action…this series will illuminate the “why” behind the human love of stories.”





Wired for Empathy: Why We Can’t Resist Good Narrative
Part One focuses “on the brain’s response to stories, and why stories are so prevalent in all human societies from an evolutionary perspective.”

Wired for Empathy: How and Why Stories Cultivate Emotions
Part Two “takes this foundation and connects it to empathy development and what this means for crafting effective advocacy stories, with an emphasis on homelessness.”
https://tinyurl.com/yafbpjwr

Empathy, Neurochemistry, and the Dramatic Arc
Part Three discusses “how to use stories to reach challenging audiences, with an analysis of how affluence and power impacts empathy.
https://tinyurl.com/h34mjk2

How We Can Develop Empathy Through StorytellingWhen a personal story is being shared we unconsciously create an emotional connection with the storyteller and empathize with their experience… and therefore, helps us develop empathy towards people that were once strangers.” This article also includes a link to a powerful Tedx talk on the subject of Empathy to Combat Social Violence.
In the United States pumpkins dot the landscape in gardens and on front porches. Below are a few pumpkin tales to help you celebrate the lovely autumn season.

The Great Pumpkin – Taino Indian/Puerto Rico

Grinding Stone to the Rescue - India

The Legend of Stingy Jack - Ireland

The Magic Pumpkins – Ukraine
https://tinyurl.com/ybqo2lr4

The Pumpkin in the Jar – Philippines
https://tinyurl.com/y7a4cgw2

It’s Harvest Time! Apple and Pumpkin Fun for the Wee Ones – I’ve shared this before but thought it would  be worthwhile to share once more. Fingerplays, songs and more to make your lapsit program shine.
http://tinyurl.com/nrluwpj

December 7 is the Feast of Saint Ambrose, patron saint of candle makers. Here are some folktales to add some light to a dark winter night.

The Candles of Life: The Story of a Child for Whom Death Stood Godmother Czechoslovakia
h
ttps://tinyurl.com/y7uk7j4s

Chanukah Candles in Chelm – Poland
The link leads to a pdf file chock full of Chelm tales. You will find this story on page 58.
https://tinyurl.com/yalfq5mg

The Iron Man - Germany

I Know What I Know - Denmark

The Rose Tree - England

The Twist Mouth Family


SOMETHING EXTRA

Stor e Telling Spring 2018: Storytelling World
Seven public domain resources filled with stories from Holland, Breffny, South Africa, Scotland and more. Keep reading for stories to celebrate the national holiday in Turkmenistan known as A Drop of Water Is a Grain of Gold, to celebrate our precious resource, water.
https://karenchace.blogspot.com/2019/01/stor-e-telling-spring-2018-storytelling.html

Stor e Telling Spring 2018: Storytelling World
The theme was Storytelling World so you will find tales from many cultures. There are also legends to savor on Tea for Two Tuesday on March 21, Noodlehead tales to tickle your funny for International Moment of Laughter Day on April 14, and folktales for Bat Appreciation Day on April 17.
https://karenchace.blogspot.com/2019/01/stor-e-telling-spring-2018-storytelling.html

1001 Nights to 2001 Story Resources V: Stor e Telling 2017
https://karenchace.blogspot.com/2018/12/1001-nights-to-2001-story-resources-v.html

1001 Nights to 2001 Story Resources IV: Stor e Telling 2016

From 1001 Nights to 2001 Story Resources III: Stor e Telling 2015
http://karenchace.blogspot.com/2017/01/from-1001-nights-to-2001-story.html

From 1001 Nights to 2001 Story Resources II: Stor e Telling 2014

http://karenchace.blogspot.com/2016/01/from-1001-nights-to-2001-story.html

From 1001 Nights to 2001 Story Resources: Stor e Telling 2013
http://karenchace.blogspot.com/2014/06/from-1001-nights-to-2001-story.html

Stor e Telling Columns: 2007 to 2012 with Synopses
http://karenchace.blogspot.com/2013/12/stor-e-telling-columns-2007-to-2012.html

Please note, websites change at a rapid pace and web links may change or break without notice. I cannot be responsible for redirected or broken links.  At the time of this posting all links were in working order. Thank you for understanding.

Karen Chace 2019 ©
This blog post was 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 blog via your website, blog, newsletter, Facebook page or Twitter please feel free to do so; I greatly appreciate your support and personal integrity.