The Magic of Mexico - Celebrate Cinco de Mayo

MEXICO


Mexico (name is taken from the Mexica, one of the seven Nahuati tribes that inhabit the central region of the country.)

Official name: United Mexican States
Continent: North America
Capital: Mexico City (also the world’s largest city) It built on the site of the Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan. Mexico city is the oldest city in Latin America. Over 2,000 newcomers arrive each day. 50% of the inhabitants live as squatter in illegal dwellings.
Money: Peso
Government: Republic. President has a six year term.
Colors of flag: red, green and white
Language: Spanish




Mexico History and Culture http://www.geographia.com/mexico/mexicohistory.htm

At Christmas time the children of Mexico may get presents on Christmas Day but traditionally, they must wait until Three Kings Day on January 6. The night before, they leave out their shoes. Then the next morning they find their shoes filled with presents left by the Three Kings, who long ago brought gifts for the Baby Jesus.

STORIES
May 5 is Cinco de Mayo, the national festival of Mexico; here are a few sites to help you get ready to join in the celebration!

Mexican Folktales - An extensive bibliography of folktales to help you find just the right story to share. http://nancykeane.com/rl/682.htm

Magic Tales of Mexico - I shared this site in 2005 but it bears repeating; nine stories from the colorful culture of Mexico. http://www.genecowan.com/magictales/home.html

American Folklore: Mexican Folklore - Thirteen Ghost Stories, Fairy Tales, Myths and Legends from Mexico. http://www.americanfolklore.net/mexican-folklore.html#2


Children’s Game

The Moon and the Stars – A game of Shadow Tag played near a large tree or building that casts a shadow. One player is chosen to be the Moon and that person must stay only in the trees shadow, (since the moon is visible only in the dark sky). All the other players are Morning Stars. The run in and out of the shadow, teasing the moon. Found in Hands Around the World by Susan Milford

Crafts

Three sites filled with fabulous, fun crafts for children for a variety of ages.

Cinco de Mayo Crafts for Kids http://tinyurl.com/nhr7uh

Cinco de Mayo Finger Puppets http://tinyurl.com/373ybda

Cinco de Mayo Door Hangers http://homeschooling.about.com/od/holidays/ss/cincoprint_6.htm

Mexican Crafts http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/mexico/


Curriculum Connections

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


Songs and Fingerplays

Children’s Songs and Fingerplays: Bilingual in Spanish and English – Some of the songs may be downloaded as an MP3 file. http://www.mamalisa.com/?p=285&t=ec&c=50

Mexican Music – Three Fun Songs for Children - This site also offers the accompanying sheet music and midi-files so you can listen to the melodies.. http://cnx.org/content/m12599/latest/

A Poem Lovely As A Tree - Celebrating Arbor Day!

THE MOMENT
by Hal Borland

This is the moment, that moment which may last for a day or a week, depending on the wind and weather. It is the same time when tree green trembles between wary bud and opening leaf, when a few hours of concentrated sunlight could almost change the face of the land. The canopy that will be summer shade and next autumn's vivid color is there on twig and branch, ready to unfurl. And even that statement is so local, so circumscribed by geography and weather, that it was out of date yesterday a hundred miles from here and probably will be out of date this morning somewhere within reach of a stoutly flung stone.

And that in itself is a measure of the delicate poise of the moment. A chilly wind can prolong it a little longer in one valley; across the hill in the next valley an afternoon of sunlight can mist a whole woodland with such green as we have not seen in a twelvemonth. The tracery of maple blossoms has been like the brushing stroke of a pastel crayon across the treetops in the lowlands, and the tiny bloom of spicebush has twinkled, stardust in the lower woodland. The osiers and the willows have been amber and ruby and then have ventured first leaves, among the most eager of all the trees and bushes, along the watercourses.

And the others are waiting, the birch, the breech, the ash and elm, and the maples especially. The oaks are later, cautious to fringe themselves with delicate pink and fugitive orange and then with green. But this is the moment when it is beginning to happen, one place and another, that breathless moment when new green leaves first open to the sun.

STORIES

Yes, I know I am rather late since today is Arbor Day, but why not celebrate our beautiful, life-giving trees all year long!

Arbor Day.org - The official site with everything to help you support and share this important day.
http://www.arborday.org/

A Hmong Folktale
 http://www.csuchico.edu/~cheinz/syllabi/asst001/fall97/5may-her.htm 

Spirit of Trees - Cristy West’s growing website offers curricular resources, essays, organizational links, poetry and folktales from some of our leading storytellers and scholars. Rest in the cool shade of its branches and let the spirit of the trees nourish your soul. http://www.spiritoftrees.org/

The Tree That Absorbed Tears - Adapted by Laura Simms http://www.laurasimms.com/TreeTears.html

The Mango Tree - Lao Folktale
http://hubpages.com/hub/Lao-Folktales--The-Mango-Tree

Trees for Life - “Award winning conservation charity dedicated to restoring the Caledonian Forest in the Highlands of Scotland.” From Alder to Yew, this site is offers an array of myths and folklore of the Caledonian Forest that will surely complement an Arbor Day storytelling program. http://www.treesforlife.org.uk/forest/mythfolk/index.html

The Tree Angel a Vietnam Legend – A lovely story for Arbor Day about how the banana tree was created. http://www.vietnamwebsite.net/myth/myth17.htm

The Story of the Coconut Tree -This is the story of a beautiful moon princess, but it is also a story about bamboo, a plant which was once believed to be sacred. http://www.topics-mag.com/folk-tales/folk-tale-disobedience-malay.htm

The Story of the Tree of Life - Tibetian folktale from Sacred Texts
http://www.sacred-texts.com/asia/tft/tft43.htm


CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS


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

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

Indiana Department of Natural Resources - Arbor Day http://www.in.gov/dnr/forestry/5319.htm#anchor719935

CRAFTS

Enchanted Learning - Lots of activities and crafts. Just click and go! http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/arborday/

Salt Leaf Magnets -  Quick, cute and easy. 
http://crafts.kaboose.com/leaf_magnets.html


MISCELLANEOUS

An Annotated Bibliography of Children's Literature with Environmental Themes http://teachers.net/archive/envirobks.html

Quotes for Gardeners http://www.gardendigest.com/trees2.htm

Karen Chace  © 2010

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.

"It Happened Something Like That..." at the Story Cafe!

“It Happened Something Like That…”

Featuring New Hampshire Storyteller
Joanne Piazzi

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Once upon a time, the people sat at the feet of the elders and listened to stories. From these, they learned who they were and who they could become. They learned that the stories were a part of them, and that they were a part of the story of time.

Joanne, (herself a future elder), shares stories that connect us with ourselves, each other, and the world around us. Whether it’s the traditional tale of the man who learned to turn dirt into gold, her updated version of The Three Pigs, or her original saga about disgruntled chickens, you’ll find a little of yourself in every story. “It happened something like that” is a collection of tales crafted from memory, folklore and free-range wit. They’re all mostly entirely true, because she’s in them, and so are you.

Her CD, Lemmetellya! New Twists on Old Tales, was awarded a 2009 National Parenting Publications Honor Award.


"What a pleasure to hear stories so well crafted, well told, and so much fun. [Joanne's] voice work is also delightful, crisp, fitting the characters as snugly as Puss' boots."
                                                                                                                     ~ Michael Parent, storyteller

"We got the CD "Lemmetellya!" as a gift and have been listening to it (several times a day) ever since then. Thanks for your wonderful stories! They have really touched our family!"
                                                                                                                     ~ Mary, audience member


ADULT OPEN MIC: Sign up for your eight minute (maximum) turn at the mic beginning at 7:00 p.m. Share your own story, song, music, essay or poem.
TIME: 7:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M. (Feature begins at 8:00 P.M.)
LOCATION: Artworks, 384 Acushnet Avenue, New Bedford, MA
ADMISSION: FREE (pass the hat for the featured performer)
AUDIENCE: 18 and older
DIRECTIONS: http://www.artworksforyou.org/hours.html  
For more information email Karen Chace at storybug@aol.com  or call Artworks at (508) 984-1588

ArtWorks is right in the middle of the historic district of New Bedford. Come early and enjoy a beautiful spring day, have dinner, then join us for the perfect "night cap" at the Story Cafe!


City of New Bedford http://www.ci.new-bedford.ma.us/
Restaurant Information: http://www.freestones.com/
Parking: Elm Street Parking Garage and Custom House parking is within easy walking distance. http://tinyurl.com/ylx2akr

Sponsored by Artworks! Partners for the Arts & Community http://www.artworksforyou.org/
ArtWorks! is supported in part by the MCC as well as business and individual members

Put Your Story Where Your Mouth Is!

The MassMouth organization has been making great strides in bringing storytelling to new audiences throughout 2009-2010 with their amazing Story Slams. Next week, they will host the final slam of the year. You won't want to miss a word!

                SLAM OF ALL SLAMMERS
                     THE BIG MOUTH OFF

The final contest in Boston’s first story slam season, produced by massmouth and will be held. 6:00 P.M. on April 20, 2010 at in the Boston Public Library’s Rabb Auditorium, Copley Square, Boston MA.

Come hear the winners of the monthly slams plus one People’s Choice entrant compete for the grand prize – a week at a medieval Tuscan townhouse. There are more prizes for the winners chosen by the distinguished judges; including Jay O’Callahan (master storyteller), Charlie Pierce ( Boston Globe, panelist on npr's "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me" NPR) Brian O’Donovan ( host of a Celtic Sojourn- WGBH-FM, Josna Rege ( English professor, blogging at Tell Me Another ) and Jay Allison ("Independent journalist and producer for radio, including NPR's This I Believe") In between sets of judged stories, the audience and People’s Choice entrants will participate in a mini-slam of stories on the theme - “ the first time”.

Rabb Auditorium is in the new wing of the Boston Public Library, 700 Boylston Street, Boston, at the Copley T stop. We start at 6:00 P.M. sharp on April 20th. Come to a virtual marathon of storytelling! massmouth presents a program of stories that highlight the human experience in all its darkness and light. Seasoned professionals and fledgling storytellers strut their stuff, share their experiences and reveal their insights in this epic competition of 21 finalists. Any one of them can win the grand prize – it all comes down to the winning story. So… if you ran the Boston marathon, come recharge with us! If you didn’t run April 19th and want a different kind of marathon, come experience massmouth‘s 26+ story marathon! After Slam at Kennedy’sMidtown.com – see http://www.massmouth.com/ for details.

It's Not Easy Being Green: Frog Tales From Around the World

Frog Prince
by Walter Crane (1845 - 1915)

April is National Frog Month so get let’s get hopping with these tales from around the globe!

STORIES

Allaboutfrogs.org - Sixteen fables and parables about frogs.
http://tinyurl.com/36fjtg

The Armadillo's Song – Bolivia
http://tinyurl.com/yzwl3lq

Brer Fox Catches Old Man Tarrypin – USA
http://tinyurl.com/ybds94o



Frog Kings – Fourteen folktales from around the world.
http://tinyurl.com/28ukyj

Why the Stork Eats Frogs And The Wolf Hunts Sheep - Ukrainian Folktale
http://www.4to40.com/Folktales/index.asp?p=Why_The_Stork_Eats_Frogs_And_The_Wolf_Hunts_Sheep&c=English&k=stork

How Frog Went to Heaven A Tale of Angola – retold by Aaron Shepard
http://tinyurl.com/yk8cdjh

Story-lovers.com – A virtual pond filled with Folktales, Folklore, Fairy Tales, Legends, Myths, History, and more.  
http://tinyurl.com/ya8v8ma

The Two Frogs – Japan
http://tinyurl.com/y9ngkky


CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS

Additional facts and information to complement your program of frog tales or use in the classroom.

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

CRAFTS

DLTK.com - Frog Activities for children.
http://www.dltk-kids.com/animals/frogs.htm

Family Crafts.com - Clay Pot Frog
http://familycrafts.about.com/od/frogcrafts/a/ClayPotFrogCraft.htm

Frog Coloring Page
http://familycrafts.about.com/cs/frogcrafts/l/blcolorfrog1.htm

Karen Chace ©

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.

Sharing the Fire of the Arts!

This past weekend I presented my workshop Story by Story - Building a Student Storytelling Troupe at the LANES Northeast Storytelling Conference: Sharing the Fire in Rhode Island. I was delighted to have 18 eager participants who not only came to learn but to share their thoughts as well. That is what this conference is all about, everyone adding to the pot to make a delicious stew where there is enough for everyone!

Although this is first and foremost a storytelling conference with an eclectic array of workshops for the shyest beginner to the most seasoned pros, we were blessed with people who shared their talents across the many arts. There was dancing with abandon, lively music, the breathtaking quilt work of Debbie Block and the smooth, hand thrown pottery of Mary Stewart, and of course, stories, stories and more stories!

Bill Harley took the first step and opened the conference with is insightful keynote on elevating our art and urged us to continue to walk the path towards excellence. He spoke about the differences between "the workmanship of certainty" and "the workmanship of risk." I urge all of you to purchase the CD of his keynote from LANES. You will want to listen to it again and again for his unabashed honesty and "straight to the heart" pearls of wisdom, shared so accessibly and effortlessly.

I wish I could have taken every workshop offered. Any idea how we can clone ourselves? Mary Jo Machiek's How to Sing Like a Pro: Techniques Learned the Hard Way, Made Easy was fun, inspiring and useful, Meg Gilman's Sensing Personal Stories, Images, Sound Bites – Stories!was insightful, powerful and emotional for me, and broke through many of those "protective blocks" in a very safe and caring space. I know my work will be enriched because of it. The panel discussion (Doug Lipman, Debbie Block of Round River Records and Marilyn McPhie on How to Produce, Market and Sell a Winning CD was very informative. I loved the format and the easy flow of information.

This year, storytellers Massmouth organizers extraordinaire  Norah Dooley, Andrea Lovett, Doria Hughes and Stu Mendelson, won the prestigious Brother Blue - Ruth Hill Award for

“demonstrating their dedication in creating and nurturing a strong storytelling community, be it by individual mentoring, guild or event venues or by fostering a greater public awareness of storytelling and its applications in all areas of society.”

In the eloquent words of fellow storyteller and friend Meg Gilman,

"Brother Blue watched over us all as we reunited for this annual story feast. His presence was there in the blue butterflies pins we wore, in an amazingly vital and resonant large photo of him on the stage, and in a moving and deeply personal tribute by Kevin Brooks, Laura Packer and Robert Smythe. And of course, there was Ruth - her quiet, centered grace and dignity blessing the event. I kept waiting for Blue to leap up and wax poetic about the tellers' performances, but, that was not to be, except in my memory. I still had to smile, knowing he would have had something to say."

I was thrilled to be one of the presenters, along with Vernon Cox and Lynne Cullen. Here is a small part of the letter I wrote to support Vernon Cox's nomination of the group:

"Through their unique and continuous efforts they have breathed new life into the storytelling arena in New England. They have done all of this without thought of personal gain but for the benefit of all while maintaining their own personal work as storytellers. I predict their efforts will be emulated throughout the country in the near future. We are all riding on the wings of their combined efforts and vision..."

From the stage I had a glorious view and could immediately see the stunned and surprised look on all of the recipient's faces. It was one of the conference highlights for me! Bravo to the Massmouth team, you are leading the way  for all of us.

Four of my storytelling students (three fourth graders and one third grader) graced the stage during Sunday's closing ceremonies and I couldn't be prouder! They displayed an amazing amount of poise for their age and had the time of their lives! I think their joy shines through in the pictures below. I was one proud teacher!

  The Four Musketeers basking in the glow of a story well-told!

Paul telling "The Fearsome Monster in Hare's House "

 Aidan telling "The Silly Farmer"

          

Danny and Evan tandem telling "The Hare and the Tortoise"

Here's to the stories!

I told them it would be the most supportive audience they will every have and my colleagues did not disappoint, rising to give them a standing ovation at the end. Also, not to be missed was Shelby Leard, daughter of Donna Leard who started the stories off in grand style; a beautiful and talented young lady to be sure! This is the next generation that will carry our art forward. A huge thank you to everyone who made their experience one to remember!

* My storytelling program at Freetown Elementary is generously funded  by the Freetown Elementary PTO and the Massachusetts Local Cultural Council

First Image: Arabian Nights by Edmund Dulac, 1907

He-roes and She-roes, Unsung and Unlabeled

Award-winning storyteller, musician and raconteur Michael Parent will grace the space at the Story Cafe on Saturday, April 10, 2010 . Join us for an amazing evening of stories of heroism, of people whose deeds are not trumpeted by a media hungry for sensation, but who are appreciated by the people whose lives they touch!

This is a fundraiser for ArtWorks, through the generosity of award-winning storyteller Michael Parent. Come and support this wonderful non-profit venue so they may continue to  offer new and exciting artistic programs throughout the year.

Michael Parent, a Franco-American Mainer, has performed as a storyteller-singer, in both English and French, since 1977. He is a 1999 recipient of the National Storytelling Network's Circle of Excellence Award and his recordings have won the American Library Association Notable Record Award, Parents’ Choice Magazine Gold Award and the Cine’ Golden Eagle Award. He has been featured at events throughout the U.S., as well as in Canada, France, Austria, New Zealand, Ireland, England, Poland, Brazil, and Costa Rica.

"(He) was almost a festival in himself. He played, sang in French and English, and juggled balls, rods, and what-nots as he simultaneously told the story of a down-and-out juggler. A magnificent voice, an inexhaustible fund of stories, wit, charm, a gift of mimicry..."
Layna Verin - U.C. Berkeley Daily Californian"

"The storyteller, in the fullness of his craft, has struck, and the spell is on, as surely as it was when Homer conjured up a fleet of ships on a wine-dark sea bound for the walls of Troy."

Melvin Maddocks - Time Magazine

“He created characters they knew, sang songs they could remember and gave new life to traditional forms of entertainment."
Madge Manfred,  Mohegan College, Norwich, CT

"Michael Parent is a unique blend of consummate professional, yet wonderfully approachable artist. Audiences of all ages loved him, as was evidenced by the standing ovation! Distractions fall away as Michael lures listeners into his tales and heart. Pure joy was the outcome of Michael's visit to our festival." Teresa Clark, Director, Snake River Storytelling Festival

Seating is limited so get your tickets early! Call
(508) 984-1588 for tickets.
Audience - 18 and Up There will be NO open mic this evening.
Members: $15 for one ticket/$20 for two
Nonmembers: $20 for one ticket/$35 for two

Time: 7:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M. (there will be an intermission and refreshments)
Location: Artworks, 384 Acushnet Avenue, New Bedford, MA
Admission: Ticket required - Call Alanna Schull at (508) 984-1588
Audience: 18 and older

ArtWorks is right in the middle of the historic district of New Bedford. Come early and enjoy a beautiful spring day, have dinner, then join us for the perfect "night cap" at the Story Cafe!

City of New Bedford http://www.ci.new-bedford.ma.us/
Restaurant Information: http://www.freestones.com/
Parking: Elm Street Parking Garage and Custom House parking is within easy walking distance. http://tinyurl.com/ylx2akr
Directions: http://www.artworksforyou.org/hours.html