Storytelling, Multiculturalsm, and Conflict Resolution

Conflict is an inevitable part of life and a crucial element in a good story. In this participatory workshop you will learn to use stories to build cultural awareness and teach alternatives to violence. Learn the basic skills necessary to tell a tale and how to use stories to introduce cooperative games and activities that will help your students to solve problems creatively.

A Multicultural Tapestry of Teaching Tales

Storytelling can enliven most any topic. Ideas come to life in a tale. Stories can become the warp upon which a teacher weaves the threads of the various content areas. Learn math stories that teach problem solving skills and science stories that make abstract concepts tangible while teaching scientific processes. Learn to tell his-story (and her-story!) in a way that motivates students to want to know more about their past. Most importantly, discover ways to use storytelling and creative writing to tie the curriculum together, to integrate ideas and build thematic units, to introduce concepts and explain important theories, and to stimulate critical thinking.

There is a growing body of research to affirm what storytellers have long known, oral language development is the first and most important step towards teaching reading and writing. Storytelling is also the thread that ties the curriculum together. This is the basis of much of my work in eductional storytelling. I have written both academic and public interest articles on storytelling as a tool for teaching basic literacy skills, (Follow this link to read a few Articles) Many of the following workshops have been presented at dozens of conferences, in-service workshops and teacher institute days. Please Contact Fox if you would like to host a workshop for your community.

STORYTELLING AND THE READING-WRITING CONNECTION

Learn lessons that stimulate creative writing and a love of reading in the primary classroom. Storytelling helps preliterate students learn story form and story grammar through the writing and telling of original tales. Teachers will learn several stories they can tell ‘on Monday’ as well as several dynamic lessons they can use to help their students develop a love for language.

PLAYING WITH GENRE: Using Oral Language Skills to Improve Reading and Writing

Improving writing scores and reading skills is really about teaching thinking. In this participatory workshop you will use oral language to initiate writing in several genres. We will explore the personal narrative by telling personal stories. We will discuss important ideas and retool the expository essay. And we will engage in lively debate to develop persuasive writing skills.

A TAPESTRY OF TEACHING TALES:
STORYTELLING AND CREATIVE WRITING AS WARP AND WEAVE FOR INTEGRATING THE CURRICULUM

Storytelling can enliven most any topic. Ideas come to life in a tale. Stories can become the warp upon which a teacher weaves the threads of the various content areas. Learn math stories that teach problem solving skills and science stories that make abstract concepts tangible while teaching scientific processes. Learn to tell his-story (and her-story!) in a way that motivates students to want to know more about their past. Most importantly, discover ways to use storytelling and creative writing to tie the curriculum together, to integrate ideas and build thematic units, to introduce concepts and explain important theories, and to stimulate critical thinking.

BIRD IS THE WORD:
Journaling, Poetry, Non-Fiction Writing, and Ornithology

A poet’s eye and gift for language is very similar to the detailed observation and ability to communicate complex ideas required of field ecologists. In this participatory workshop you will learn some tips for effective journaling. You will learn to use haiku to focus your eye and ear. You will learn to use poetry to help you write clearer more exciting essays and turn your field notes into publishable articles. Come to celebrate the voices of nature and find your voice in the natural world.

Mark Twain's River His-story, (and Her-story, too!)

Learn how to conduct oral history interviews to research local history with an emphasis on average folks. Learn library research skills and how to turn "field notes" into dynamic literature. Though we will focus on river history and the context that inspired Samuel Clemens, the skills learned are applicable to any period of history.

Content Area Reading Storytelling:
His-story, Science and Math Stories

Improving basic literacy, reading and writing test scores, by integrating the curriculum is the aim of this participatory workshop. Stories can become the warp upon which a teacher weaves the threads of the various content areas. We listen and speak at a higher level than we can read and write, so it is only natural to use storytelling and listening to teach content. And oral language development is the cornerstone for better reading and writing.

I Tell, We Tell, You Tell:
Oral Language Development, the First Step Towards Teaching Reading and Writing

Within this action packed participatory presentation you will learn at least three stories that you can tell and teach to your students. You will also learn techniques to improve your storytelling skills and teach storytelling to your students. Author and storyteller Brian “Fox” Ellis will highlight the research implications of oral language development as a potent tool in teaching basic literacy in the early childhood setting. Grounding the latest research in literacy education with practical classroom tested ideas, this dynamic workshop will reinvigorate your classroom.

Fox presents dozens of family literacy nights at schools across the country. He was instrumental in a state wide program that provided outreach to inner-city and rural audiences to develop intergenerational family literacy events. Fox has been a keynote speaker at the Illinois Family Literacy Conference. Because he believes a parent is the child's first teacher, and wants to encourage parental involvement in schools, these programs are often offered at a reduced rate in conjunction with a school visit. Please Contact Fox for more information. Follow this link for Lesson Plans related to telling family stories, family history and geneology.

Telling family stories

Each of us comes from a rich oral tradition of stories handed down from one generation to another. What? Not me, you say? Yes! They may be jokes heard at the dinner table or the funny thing that happened to Aunt Mable. Maybe it is a sad story about a pet or your first day of school. We all have a story to tell. This family oriented, participatory workshop will help us find ways to recover and pass on this deep sense of who we are and where we come from. These stories will enrich your children and draw you closer as a family. Come to listen and come to tell.

Nurturing a love of language:
Creating a home rich in love and literature

Learning truly begins at home and parents are a child's first teacher. Family stories give your child a sense of who they are and where they are going. Letters to distant relatives can bridge the gaps and bring the family closer together. In this participatory workshop you will learn ways to use storytelling, reading aloud and letter writing to build a good foundation in language development and build stronger bonds in your family.

Writing with your children

Learning truly begins at home and parents are a child's first teacher. Writing together can be a time for bonding, sharing important thoughts and feelings, and creating funny stories remembered for a lifetime. Family stories give your child a sense of who they are and where they are going. Letters to distant relatives can bridge the gaps and bring the family closer together. In this participatory workshop you will learn ways to use storytelling and creative writing to build a good foundation in language development and build stronger bonds in your family.

His-story and Her-story, too! Storytelling as a Tool in Historical Interpretation

Learn to tell historical stories and collect family stories. Learn how to write good questions, prepare for and conduct oral history interviews to research local history, with an emphasis on people often left out of the history books. Learn library research skills and how to read between the lines. Learn how to turn "field notes" into dynamic literature. And learn to perform, share, or otherwise publish this work.

Stepping Into Character: Presenting First Person Interpretations

The stories of real people allow you to travel to distant times and places. Meet important characters from the worlds of science, literature and history, step into their shoes and learn to embody their story. The goal of this workshop is to help you bring to life the characters you connect with and tell their stories in a powerful performance. We will discuss research, choosing characters that fit, developing scripts, creating costumes, rehearsal, marketing and the performance skills you need to ensure success.

A World Full of Stories: Storytelling and Multicultural Education

In this participatory workshop you will learn to use stories to build cultural awareness and teach alternatives to violence. Learn how to use stories to introduce cooperative games that help your students to develop an appreciation for cultural diversity.

PRAIRIE TALES
Explore the Relationships between Natural History and Human History through the Literature of the Tall Grass Prairie: An Inter-Disciplinary workshop that blends social studies, language arts and science to celebrate the Prairie State

American Indian folklore and pioneer history blend in this celebration of one of America's most diverse and magnificent ecosystems. In this participatory workshop we will learn creative writing strategies that integrate the curriculum in meaningful, inspiring lesson plans. Blending math and field ecology we will create poetry that explores the adventures of a seed, journeys through the four seasons with the plants and animals that call the prairie home. Trace the geological history of the oak savanna through the travels of "Rusty", a molecule of ferrous oxide. Learn of the struggles and successes to restore the prairie to America's heartland and motivate your students to write dynamic historical fiction, while making a difference in the future of our ecological well-being!

STORYTELLING, MULTICULTURALISM, AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION

Conflict is an inevitable part of life and a crucial element in a good story. In this participatory workshop you will learn to use folktales to build cultural awareness and teach alternatives to violence. Learn to tell a tale and how to use stories to introduce cooperative games and activities that will help your students to solve problems creatively.

The following keynote address was originally developed for an Amnesty International Conference and then later adapted for the Great Lakes Conference of Social Studies. It could easily be custom tailored to fit your needs:

SPEAKING TRUTH TO POWER

From ancient Japan to early America, there have always been individuals who dared to confront violence with the truth of their lives. The audience will visit the German prison camps of World War II and the jungles of Central America. They will sing the songs of the Underground Railroad and celebrate the freedom that one finds inside oneself. Listeners will hear true tales and learn from these historic struggles. Within the context of these stories we will learn problem-solving strategies as we participate with the main character in conflict resolution. We will meet inspiring roll models and learn the skills we need to confront the crises that are a necessary step towards personal growth.

FOLKLORE AND ECOLOGY IN THE DIVERSITY OF NATIVE AMERICAN CULTURES:

Social Studies and Native American Storytelling In 1491 there were more than two hundred distinct cultures here in North America with cities larger than London, temples larger than the pyramids of Egypt, and a calendar more accurate than the Greco-Roman. Within this diversity stories were a unifying force. In this workshop, you will hear stories from several of the major tribal groups. You will learn some basic storytelling skills including cultural differences in style and content. We will discuss ways in which stories can highlight the differences and similarities between cultures and their relationship with the environment. Cooperative lesson plans for integrating language arts, science, and social studies will be shared. We will play traditional games, learn a craft, and perform a few dances. This is an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of American Indian folkways and the ways in which they have impacted modern American culture. A bibliography and handouts for students will be included.

Turtle Island Tales: Mythology and Geography

Ancient creation myths and modern map making merge in this hands-on exploration of geography. Maps do tell tales and many cultures around the world have a complex understanding of earth wisdom. In this participatory workshop we will hear stories from many cultures, study maps and storytelling, and write our own myths of modern cartography.