Chalk Up Student Fairy Tales

         What do kids know and understand of fairy tales? How do they interpret them? I, as a storyteller, was wondering and used sidewalk chalk as a way to begin exploration of the questions.

     I work in an after school program and thought the kids would enjoy a spring afternoon with sidewalk chalk. I began by  reminding them of our visit to a local art gallery. I pointed out how each piece of art had its own space and people walked by admiring them. I proposed we make a fairy tale art gallery on the front sidewalk for the parents to look at when they came for pick up.

        Sidewalks are broken by distinct cracks, this sure makes building a student art gallery easy! Each of the kids was assigned a segment of our walkway.  I said our art show subject was fairy tales they could draw a picture from any fairy tale they wanted, I then gave the example Cinderella or The Little Mermaid.

     Right from the example we have Cinderella in her beautiful gown and wearing the crown. Two of three step sisters are present but not as glamorous at all. The third step sister fell off the curb, I was told this! ( I titled the art for them so we could read it)  At 7 years old this young lady was focused on interpreting the happily ever after part of the story.

   This little lady, just 6 years old depicted the Little Mermaid, again straight from  my examples. She had many questions as to the requirements of the art before beginning to draw. I told them this was to be their art, anything they wanted to show from the story, no rules except stay in their square and physically on the sidewalk. The Little Mermaid is swimming into the cave in her picture. She chose to show a part that scares her, we talked about this and what made it scary, it was not knowing the outcome.

      I love this one, it has a special meaning. This young lady was 8 years old. She chose the 3 Little Pigs to draw. In this scene they are dancing, the wolf is gone. I asked why she liked this story and was told, "because the third pig is smart, he built a brick house". I know this represents safety to this little girl - all the buildings in this housing project where they live are BRICK!

      A 6 year old boy drew this rendition of the Little Red Hen. He is a very physical boy, in constant motion as he drew. The blue spirals were her fields and the pink is Mrs. Hen herself. He commented he wasn't good at chickens - he didn't know any! This tied in nicely with all the garden work we have been doing.

        This artist was 8 years old and chose Robin Hood to depict. I did  not go into the difference between fairly tale, folk tale and legend, I wanted them to have a totally positive experience and for me to leave it as much to their interpretation as possible.  Robin is drawn with a crown, I'm not sure that he would like to be part of the royal family but I believe her interpretation was of power and good. I am most interested in her using the form of a snake as the image for the "bad guy".  The evil serpent certainly has a frown, Robin isn't happy he is fighting for his money I was informed.

      This student is 9 years old. I thought it very interesting that she did not pick a particular story but singled out the common character from  many stories. In her words "they all have a mean guy". This was also her writing, it's boldness certainly showing some of the strength of the character. She laughed and commented he wouldn't be a mean guy when it rained.  What power it is to show what is scary and know it would be gone the next morning!

       This use of fairy tales was a fun project the children enjoyed and were proud of. They were very excited to show family members at pick up time. There was much more excitement over this art, than art on paper, I believe because it was so public a space. This few minutes of sidewalk time was a window into their world. Fairy Tales have a place in children's learning to give voice and interpretation of feelings that are complex. They have the power to give hope and wipe out evil with a single rain storm! This day at our after school was a happily ever afternoon!

 

Weather Vanes Fox Story Resource

Weather vanes story resources is an occasionally recurring series in my blog. Each weather vane highlights particular subjects with links and anecdotal information to help create a living story from material on the web.

Elusive and wily the fox in story and in the wild represents a character of resource and cunning.

Brer Fox is a character of the Uncle Remus folk tales that were collected by Joel Chandler Harris. These folk tales were made popular once again and brought to the new era by Walt Disney. The first use of Brer Fox in his 1946 movie Song of the South and later with the construction of Splash Mountain at Disney World Orlando, Fla.  To read more about the history of Brer Fox in media here is the link to the Wikipedia page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Br'er_Fox_and_Br'er_Bear

Here is an online link to a classic Brer Fox tale; http://americanfolklore.net/folklore/2008/09/brer_fox_goes_hunting.html

Eatonton, GA. is home to the Uncle Remus Museum. Housed in former slave quarters the small museum an American folklore treasure. Trip Advisor has news and reviews of the Uncle Remus Museum with photos included.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g34919-d2290571-Reviews-Uncle_Remus_Museum-Eatonton_Georgia.html

The direct link to the museum is here:
http://www.uncleremus.com/museum.html



     Francis Marion  of South Carolina was among the legends and heroes  created during the American Revolution. Smithsonian sifts through the resources, legends, lore  and fact to get a closer look at our wily patriot.
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history-archaeology/biography/fox.html

more on the legend: http://www.swampfoxmemorial.org/francismarion.html

Walt Disney again had a part in the later career of this Fox. Disney created a TV series in 8 parts depicting the life of the notorious patriot. Actor Leslie Nielsen was the star. After the original airing
dates the show returned in syndicated programming and three episodes on DVD. More here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Swamp_Fox_(TV_series)  

Here is a quote from the theme song:
      "Swamp Fox, Swamp Fox, tail on his hat... nobody knows where the Swamp Fox at; Swamp Fox, Swamp Fox, hiding in the glen, He'll ride away to fight again. Got no money, got no beds, got no roof above our heads; got no shelter when it rains, All we've got is Yankee brains!"

South Carolina Storyteller Tim Lowry portrays the Legendary General Francis Marion. His website: http://storytellertimlowry.com/ 

                                                          


 Other posts from the Weather vane series:
http://carolynstearnsstoryteller.blogspot.com/2012/08/weather-vanes-story-resources-part-7.html

http://carolynstearnsstoryteller.blogspot.com/2012/01/weather-vanes-story-resources-part-5.html

http://carolynstearnsstoryteller.blogspot.com/2011/12/weather-vanes-story-resources-part-3.html

 

Never the Twain Shall Meet

We will never meet Mark Twain ( the pen name of Samuel Clemens), but standing in his home, surrounded by possessions that were his, a glimpse. Reading his works penned in the third story "man cave", I know more. Reading what a few of our American Presidents had to say about Mark Twain, yet another piece. Mark Twain was a storyteller!  Our guide related about his stories at dinner parties, I felt at home.

This recent visit was a warm late summer day and I could imagine Twain at his desk writing and growing drowsy. The guide told us a hammock once hung on the third floor porch so he could nap out there. It is in among the tree tops and so resembled a tree house. From there the views were of the carriage house, the Park River (now underground), Harriet Beecher Stowe's house, and the greenhouse that supplied table flowers year round.

As I stood on the porch I tried to imagine the family here. One could easily imagine children playing
here even on a rainy day. Their voices drifting up to their father far above them in the hammock or at his desk. I could almost hear the crunch of the gravel as a carriage bearing guests could have come up the drive way and paused under the portico for them to disembark.

The Clemens family kept some ducks who had this view of the house from down near the river and marsh. Today cars park where they once swam, but it is not hard to imagine on a warm summer afternoon.

A unique example of Victorian architecture from top to bottom, the Twain/Clemens home was state of the art when built and yet designed for the family to enjoy. A favorite feature of mine is the curved butlers pantry that connects the service wing to the main house. Only the butler had access, it was his little kingdom. China and silver services were kept here and  he served the meals from this space.

Here are a few more pictures from my most recent visit:

                                                        details details everywhere!

 

a slate roof

                              Glass conservatory off the family library complete with fountain!

 In Connecticut or coming to Connecticut here is the link to the Twain Visitor Center:
                                                   http://www.marktwainhouse.org/

         His boyhood home in Missouri is a museum as well: http://www.marktwainmuseum.org/

Mark Twain, many of his quotes you will recognize even if you did not know they were from him.

Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it.
Mark Twain

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/mark_twain.html#0kcolVxTHv7LwrYK.99

Norma Cameron TedX Powerful Narrative Storytelling

More on the power of narrative from a Storyteller on Tedx Give her a few minutes of time please. From the iron forges of Scotland to  Tedx in Victoria Canada it is a journey of just a couple minutes. The message Norma shares is one from the beginning of time. I just love how she refers to her Granny as a "wee firebrand of a woman".

5 Unusual Gifts

I don't want to give what everyone else is giving, but where do we find the unusual?

In our imaginations!

5th place in my list of unusual gifts to give:  A tire and a rope for hours of fun!
 ( rocker not included; some assembly required!)

4th Place

The Wheelbarrow

Fill this gift with fertilizer, trowel, seeds, gloves and a sprinkler and hose and get the gardener on your list dreaming of spring!

                                                           3rd in our list of Unusual Gifts

                                                                The Family Membership

         Old Sturbridge Village a Massachusetts museum  a great choice to give the gift of family membership for a year. Look for a similar museum near you get the family out  learning and enjoying the day together! www.osv.org       

           Another museum choice in the Connecticut area would be  Mystic Seaport can't go wrong either way both great adventures over and over again! P.S. a camera memory card would go great with this gift!  www.mysticseaport.org 

                                                               #2 on the Unusual Gift list

                                                                                
 How about an experience they will never forget. Bundle up for your very own "over the river and through the woods", adventure. This scene from www.blueslope.com in Franklin CT. You can find a suitable livery service, carriage rides in most states with a google search.  Sleigh Bells ring, are you listening.....

                                                  Number 1 on the Unusual Gifts List
                                   scoring high in the shop local ideology this holiday season

                                                           A Special  Performance
The perfect gift for families, relatives in a nursing facility, reunions, company get together, a school, a child's teacher, your scout or 4-H group, give a gift of storytelling or musical performance.

                              You can find a storyteller near you by visiting one of these sites:

www.connstorycenter.org    Connecticut

www.lanes.org                     New England and New York

www.storynet.org                 National

Mike Lockett :Tales and Fables East Meets West

 

Another incredible collection of stories from Mike Lockett. Plenty  of time to down load this from CD Baby ( www.cdbaby.com ) for a gift for the holidays or for the long car ride over the river and through the woods.

Dr. Mike Lockett of Normal, Illinois is the Normal Storyteller

Find info on where to see him perform on his website www.mikelockett.com  

I used the download from CDBaby to bring all sorts of animals and wonderful stories into the living room. This collection is sure to be a hit with the kids and excellent as a classroom addition. A few moments of music ease us from one story to another and we hop around the world  hearing tales from a wide variety of cultures. The ox and frog, the hare are accompanied by all their friends on this journey. 

 Log in to CD Baby today to download your Mike Lockett adventure in storytelling.

www.cdbaby.com

A search of "storytelling" on CD Baby will lead you to a whole world of stories from many different tellers. Be sure to look around while shopping in there!

Other reviews of Mike Lockett's work on my blog:

www.carolynstearnsstoryteller.blogspot.com/2011/07/tales-from-aound-world-with-mike.html

www.carolynstearnsstoryteller.blogspot.com/2011/05/review-tales-from-hills-by-mike-lockett.html  

You Write Story Needs an Ending

So it appears that no one wants to commit to finish the spooky story, are you so scared of the flea eater or the talking gargoyle door knocker? Maybe you ate to much candy and needed a day off from things.
I told what we have last night at VoiceMail but as I had a lot on my mind left out one of the best parts so rather than air the err, I am asking for some input to finish the  spooky tale so we can do it up right and then I will tape it with some practice.

As a suggestion you can use the photos in this blog as ideas for the storyline. You can read the whole thing in the post from Oct 29  ( blogger having an issue with the link sorry, just go to October listings in the right sidebar and click on October it is the post on 10/29)


This is such a fun project and I never could have predicted the  way the story has grown. Hope you have some more fun with  it.                                  

Keith Munslow NO Token NO Milk

It was a perfect summer day,sunshine, blue sky, breeze and  a Library Summer Reading Program  sponsored by Richmond Library and held in Marlborough Senior Center, Marlborough Connecticut.
Just down the road a little way is the turn we have taken so many times for the 4-H Horse camp at Marlborough, I know the way like I was going home.

  I had been looking forward to this performance by Providence's storyteller /entertainer Keith Munslow www.keithmunslow.com Keith performed at this past spring's Connecticut Storytelling Festival to rave reviews, mine included! www.connstorycenter.org  

                                                                         
  This was a children's program that delighted the parents and grandparents in the room as well. Keith mixed his trio of talents, drawing, music and storytelling to bring the Marlborough audience a great blend of his original material. There were pirates in the room and the school lunch lady, feats of daring on the trampoline and the sadness of having no token to get milk at a school lunch time.

                                                                     

Little did Keith know how the song that day pertained to me!  Everytime he came back to the rythmic No Token No Milk line, I smiled. Around our house its No Cows- No Milk,  Now Cows- No Milk!  After the show I told Keith about our family business is dairy,  at some point when I see him again I will just have to bring some of the world's best chocolate milk - Mountain Dairy Chocolate Milk! www.mountaindairy.com  In the mean time you might catch me humming  No token, No milk!  Get yourself to a performance by Keith Munslow but  let me warn you,  when its over you are going to need some Oreo's and milk!

                                               
    My roots are in agriculture, my heart in storytelling, www.carolynstearnsstoryteller.com  I like bringing you a diverse blog of agriculture, story, horses, cowboys, history and reviews. Follow me here or on Face Book and Twitter to see my most recent post and where I  am travelling and the fun things I bring back to share with you.                                                                                     

A Single Story - When We Need Many

Take a few minutes to watch this TED Talk  http://www.ted.com/  Writer and storyteller Chimamanda Adichie of Nigeria, Africa presents a much more worldly view of  the power of a single story or as she puts it the danger in a single story.

Hearing Voices? Maybe Jay O'Callahan's

Baby it's cold outside, the weather just isn't delightful, so as long as it's gonna snow, tune in tonight ( 12/14/10) to 95.9 in Mass. or http://www.959watd.com/ This is a much better way to pass a wintry night. Just before 8 p.m. make a cup of your favorite hot beverage. Pull on warm socks and wrap yourself and against a winter draft. Settle into a comfortable chair( OK if you tend to nod off then make it a uncomfortable chair) Tune your radio or computer to SPOKEN VOICES and listen.

This writers, book and storytellers group will bring you warm words, thoughts and some of their best mental meanderings. If the wind howls about the gables it's only jealous it can't come in and listen. You can listen though so tune in, I'll be there listening too. Jay O'Callahan www.ocallahan.com and his group will be on the air waves this evening. If you have heard Jay's "Pouring the Sun" or "Forged in the Stars", you can already guess this might be some extraordinary listening.

A Gem - Michael Parent cassette

This spring when the trees were fully blooming and the wind came warm off the sea for the first time in months, I was in New London Ct. My annual trek to the Ct. Storytelling Festival http://www.connstorycenter.org/festival.htm I was there to gather in the warmth of story, the exuberance of new and renewed friendship , and the inspiration of hearing the magic that is live storytelling. It was everything I was hoping for and then some. I set aside a small budget for books and items from the sales room and this is where I came across my treasure.

Can you imagine having a treasure chest and not opening it for months? Can you imagine the mystery not calling you, the curiosity not beckoning you to pry free the lid. Never again will I be able to ignore the beckoning call of a story not listened too, for the gem I had left to collect dust on the bookshelf was incredible and its late discovery I hope will encourage me to unlock mysteries as soon as I can.

It happened like this. At the festival there is a sales room. All the performers have their books and CD's etc in there as well as a wonderful selection from the Conn College bookstore. Browsing between shows is a chance to savor titles and make out a wish list and for me one or two titles each year make their way home. I carefully pondered the selection this year and made two choices and approached the checkout table. There I noticed a basket with cassette tapes. Remember those outdated items lost in the technology cyclone that has hit us in the last ten years? I pawed through the tapes and came up with three at such a nominal price it seemed to me like stealing! Oh I know they are outdated and do no good in a closet but still I know the work that goes into these projects and was so happy to put my treasures in my take home bag!

I came home from the Festival overflowing with excitement, ideas, conversations buzzing in my head, so much to think about. I unpacked and looked at the cassettes and placed them on the shelf with other audio and video. I don't presently own a cassette player. Ah well one will turn up. Well this was the weekend, I borrowed my Mom's car to make a trip into Boston, (my car is a story in itself). When I got in I spotted a cassette player, yes they had this car awhile but it is in excellent condition. So I packed up for the day trip to Boston and climbed in toting one extra bag full of cassettes a bit dusty but the anticipation of the 4-6 hours of riding in such good company was high.

I slid in the cassette and was swept away. Somehow the miles between Boston and Ct. slipped by amid the rousing French songs and the envisioned Sundays at Grandma's ( Dimanches Chez Memere) This was my gem, this story of growing up in that wonderful bilingual family of story and song. Here in cassette form, adorned with the shiny gold seal of the Parents Choice Award I was reminded this was recorded a long while back but the story was timeless. Indeed on the cassette is the date 1988, like fine wine a story grows better with age and telling and so this one has come to its maturity and sweeps us back to our childhood memories. Michael Parent opens the door to this tale and you can smell Grandma's cooking and hear Uncle Arthur's truck coming down the road.

All is not lost for the treasure seekers as the cassette has been updated and is available in CD format on his website http://www.michaelparentstorytelling.com/ or email him at michaelparent@maine.RR.com For me, I will happily keep the gem I found at the festival a reminder to stop and listen and even when technology is pushing us forward remembering to look back, we may have left a gem or two behind.