Dianne Hackworth, Storyteller:

Grades Two - Six

Necessary skills are taught to enable this age group to tell stories from either written or oral sources in both formal and informal settings. Along with their individual, personal stories, each grade level, two through twelve, will concentrate on a different type of story for telling such as Folk Tales, Fables, Tall Tales, Myths, Appalachian Tales, "How and Why" stories, repetitive stories, stories of animals, stories of other countries or cultures, etc. Residencies can be adapted to correlate with classroom curriculums as requested. Correlation between creative writing and storytelling skills is also emphasized.

^top      Permalink^   < Previous Next >  

Grades Seven - Twelve

Necessary skills for learning to tell stories from written and oral sources are taught. How to find, select, and adapt stories for telling is a major component of lessons for this age group. How to write personal or other types of stories suitable for telling is also an option for this age group. Telling stories to peers, or lower grade students if time allows, is also utilized.

^top      Permalink^   < Previous Next >  

Adult Residency Activities

Discuss various methods of learning to tell stories and common problems of storytelling Provide resources for stories and storytelling Discuss adapting stories for telling, how to make personal stories more interesting, places for telling, methods for collecting family stories.

^top      Permalink^   < Previous Next >  

Adult Residency Activities for Experienced Storytellers

Along with the above activities, also include demonstrating styles of storytelling; exploring different types of stories; studying vocal techniques; emceeing procedures; learning self-promotion and fee setting tips; procedures for producing a storytelling festival; but most importantly, practice telling and critiquing stories.

^top      Permalink^   < Previous Next >  

Senior Citizen Groups

Discuss how they can use storytelling in everyday life or for performing Demonstrate how to make their life stories more interesting for telling Provide opportunities for telling and improving storytelling skills

^top      Permalink^   < Previous Next >  

Special Population Groups

Techniques used with mainstream groups are easily adapted to fit the various needs and abilities of special populations. These groups excel in storytelling as it does not depend on high reading skills, attention span, or even mobility.

^top      Permalink^   < Previous Next >  

Themes for Concerts and Residencies

Animals - Stories of animals - real and unreal 

Appalachian Tales - Jack Tales, Grandfather Tales, Mountain Tales 

Celtic Tales - Scottish, Irish, Welsh stories 

Character Ed Tales - Stories that teach and reinforce values 

Classic Literary Tales - Beowulf, Cremation of Sam McGee, etc. 

Community Tales - Collect stories for telling and/or publishing 

Environmental/Ecology Tales - Recycling, restoring, preserving 

European Tales - Folk, fairy, and cultural tales from many European countries 

Fables - Aesop and beyond 

Family Tales - Interview family members, create oral & written tales 

Folk, Fable, and Fairy - Compare and Contrast these three story types 

Ghost Stories - Appropriate for various ages (from simple non-scary to hide-under-the-bed!) 

How and Why (Pourquoi) Tales - Used by various cultures to explain scientific phenomena 

Latin American Tales - Study of Latin American tales and culture 

Math Focus Tales - Stories involving the math process - puzzles, riddles, and tales with mathematical problems to solve 

Modern Fairy Tales - Familiar tales rewritten by changing characters setting, or point of view 

Musical Tales - Ballads and Story Songs 

Myths - Greek, Roman, and Norse 

Our Common Heritage: State Legends & Songs - Program or residency based on stories and history of your state 

Tall Tales and Legends - Lies, Whoppers, and Truth 

Science Focus Tales - Combined themes of Myth, ,Science , and How & Why - Examine the myth and the facts 

Stories From Around the World - Tales from various requested countries, Asia, Africa, Europe, North & South America 

U.S. Regions/History - Tales and History of the U.S.: Colonists, Westward Movement, Civil War, Gold Rush, etc 

Writing & Telling Your Own Tales - The process and skills for telling stories correlates to writing stories. Tell, then write it! 

Other themes available on request. You ask for it, I'll create it! 

Or, choose a combination of any of these themes. (Especially writing with any other theme)

^top      Permalink^   < Previous Next >  

General Information

Workshops can be arranged for teachers, parents, or community members and professionals who wanto utilize storytelling in their work or for enjoyment. There are also workshops for teachers who wan to teach storytelling in their classroom. Workshops can be from one hour to one day in length. Area of concentration varies, depending upon group make-up and need.

Basic Storytelling 

(Basic tips & story sources for all ages) 

Beyond the Basics 

(For the teller with some experience) 

Your Family Heritage 

(Collecting & developing the family stories) 

Integrating Storytelling into the Classroom Curriculum 

Organizing Your Own Storytelling Festival

^top      Permalink^   < Previous Next >  

Workshop Topics

Storytelling Basics 

Covers basics of storytelling: Finding, adapting, writing tales; how to learn a story; performance skills. 

Teacher As Storyteller 

Yes! You too can tell stories!!! As a teacher, you have all the necessary skills to tell. Discover easy & painless methods of learning to tell . 

Student Storytelling 

Use storytelling to increase student's interest in reading, writing, communicating skills 

Storytelling and the Curriculum 

Storytelling is both an art form and an excellent teaching tool. Find out how storytelling can be used in language arts, history, social studies, science, and (believe it or not!) math!!! 

Organizing Your Storytelling Festival 

Storytelling Festivals can be used for fund raising, PTO programs, or to show off talent. Learn to create and plan a day-long or evening event.

^top      Permalink^   < Previous Next >  

Workshop Topics

Basic Storytelling Techniques 

Adapted for novice or experienced tellers 

Collecting and Telling Family or Community Tales 

Mine the stories of your life and pass them on! 

Developing A Business Plan 

Know what your plan is, so you know when you succeed! 

Finding Your Storytelling Niche 

Don't blindly follow someone else, create your own place in storytelling 

Putting the WOW in Your Storytelling 

Connect with your audience through use of various techniques 

Self Marketing For Tellers, The Business of Telling 

Those Who Fail To Plan, Plan To Fail

^top      Permalink^   < Previous