Wednesday, May 22, 2013

May Preschool Class Visit

Preschool Class Visit - Thursday, May 2, 2013, 9:30 a.m., Ages 3 and 4, Attendance:
46 (28 children, 18 adults)

Books: The Duckling Gets a Cookie!? by Mo Willems
             Roly-Poly Egg by Kali Stileman
             Butterfly, Butterfly by Petr Horacek

Board Story: "The Knee High Man" from Multicultural Folktales: Stories to Tell Young Children by Judy Sierra

Prop Story: "Penny Penguin's Magical Meal"

Board and Prop Story: "The Most Wonderful Egg in the World"

Game: Birthday Guessing Game

Notes: It's been some time since I have done a preschool class visit so I really enjoyed doing this one. I picked some favorite stories and activities from recent family storytimes. The children particularly enjoyed "Penny Penguin's Magical Meal" though I think that "The Most Wonderful Egg in the World" was the audience favorite. I also had a great time reading The Duckling Gets a Cookie!?

 

Friday, May 17, 2013

The Most Wonderful Egg in the World

The Most Wonderful Egg in the World by Helme Heine is a great story that has been adapted for the flannel board. I found one with fantastic felt pieces on Flannel Friday's "Picture Books" board on Pinterest. The original post which has a brief plot summary is here. Years ago I found another version in Books in Bloom: Creative Patterns and Props That Bring Stories to Life by Kimberly K. Faurot (ALA, 2003). I loved the story but I did not love how complicated it was to make the chickens so I decided to simply make them out of card stock. I threw some yarn in a plastic bowl for the nest and that was it. The chickens became rather beat up after several years of use so I decided to make a new set for my recent family storytime program. This time I made a nice nest using a basket and filler shred (aka Easter grass). I also added a construction paper crown which I wore when the king spoke.

What makes this story so great is the fact that you take each hen off the board and place her in the nest to lay her egg. The eggs are previously hidden in the nest. It's a great opportunity to express each hen's personality as she lays her egg. Much can be conveyed by saying "Bawk!" in various ways. This silliness is what makes the story special. It is one of those rare instances when I think the board version is better than just reading the story. The audience loves it.

I really like using the board figures with a prop. It seems to add to the story. I did this as well with "Pot Luck" which is an adaptation of Two of Everything by Lily Toy Hong. I'll have to see if I can find another story that would work well with this format.

The Ladies


The Eggs


The Props


Bawk!


This week's Flannel Friday Round-Up is hosted by Katie of the Storytime Katie blog.

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Chickens! - Evening Family Story Time

Family Story Time Program - Chickens!
Monday, April 15, 2013, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Attendance - 27 (16 children, 11 adults)

Books: The Little Red Hen (Makes a Pizza) by Philemon Sturges
             Cock-A-Doodle Moo! by Bernard Most

Board Stories: "Chicken Little" from Story Telling with the Flannel Board Book 1 by Paul Anderson
                         "The Elegant Rooster" from Multicultural Folktales: Stories to Tell Young Children by Judy Sierra

Board and Prop Story: "The Most Wonderful Egg in the World" based on the book by
Helme Heine and found in Books in Bloom: Creative Patterns and Props That Bring Stories to Life by Kimberly K. Faurot

Stick Puppets: "Lion, Chameleon, and Chicken: A Gogo Bantu Folktale from Tanzania" found online as an excerpt from Working Together: Building Children's Social Skills Through Folktales - Grades 3-6 by G. Cartledge and J. Kleefeld

Craft: Squawking Chicken

Notes: This program featured some of my favorite stories and an always popular craft. The only story that I hadn't told before was "Lion, Chameleon, and Chicken." The biggest hit of the evening was "The Most Wonderful Egg in the World." I like to ham it up when the hens are laying their eggs. My version is closer to Heine's book than the version in Books in Bloom. My chickens are also more simply made. The craft was a big hit because the chickens made noise. There was a lot of squawking in the meeting room. I used construction paper instead of tissue paper for the "feathers" because that is what was available. The pieces did not stay on the plastic as well but that was a minor issue.


Telling One Story Five Ways - Conclusion

This is the last of a series of posts about "Telling One Story Five Ways."

"The Fisherman and His Wife" has been presented five ways - as a board story, using stick puppets, using props, as a draw and tell story and as a cut and tell story. Once I wrote my version of the story, I only needed to make minor changes to fit each of the different formats. Although I enjoyed the creative challenge of telling one story five ways, the reason I did so was to show that stories can be easily adapted to various formats and to encourage storytellers to try something different. If something does not work one way, I change it to something that does work. By doing so I am no longer limited to what is available when I plan my programs. I make changes all the time. I change stories so that I am comfortable telling them. I change stories to increase their appeal to my audience. This viewpoint has actually made my programs more creative and I've had positive feedback from my audience. It has certainly made planning my family storytimes much easier! Presenting the program is also more fun especially when I come up with something as over the top as "Sam and the Acorn."

Of course there are more than five ways to tell a story. I chose these five because they are the formats I use the most. Sometimes I mix formats. I use props and stick puppets when telling "The Birds and the Trees" and I use board figures and props when telling "The Most Wonderful Egg in the World."  "The Fisherman and His Wife" could also be performed by storytellers such as those done by Beyond the Book Storytimes or it could be adapted for Readers' Theater with students performing.

Now I must say farewell to the humble fisherman and his overachieving wife. I hope that their "stories" have inspired you. Now I must start thinking about my summer family storytimes. My library is doing the CSLP program, "Dig Into Reading." So far I have only a couple of stories, "Mole's New Hole" and a vegan version of "Herman the Worm."

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

The Fisherman and His Wife - Cut and Tell Story

This is part of a series of posts about Telling One Story Five Ways. It is also my Flannel Friday contribution for this week.

A cut and tell story will capture an audience's attention. Children want to see what you are cutting out and often try to guess. It is also great to take "on the road" since a piece of paper and a pair of scissors is all you need. All the preparation is done ahead of time. The storyteller just has to be careful that the audience does not see that part or the "magic" will be spoiled.

This cut and tell version of The Fisherman and His Wife is fairly easy to do. Years ago I told a more complicated version. I think it can be found in Paper Stories by Jean Stangl. I told it probably 15 years ago and I no longer have access to the book so I'm hoping I have the correct title. In this version, the storyteller is cutting out a crown. Use gold or yellow 8.5" x 11" paper. It can be easily crumpled at the end of the story. Fold the paper in half from top to bottom. Place the left side of the pattern along the fold and trace the pattern onto the paper with a pencil.

The Fisherman and His Wife - A Cut and Tell Story
by Linda Meuse
Notes from the Story Room

Long ago there was a fisherman who lived with his wife in a tiny shack by the sea. They had nothing but tfisherman was content.

One day the fisherman caught a most unusual fish. (Cut out A - the fish) The fish could talk! It asked the fisherman to set him free. The fisherman set him free and went home to tell his wife about his strange experience. "You should have made the fish grant you a wish since you spared his life," said the wife. "Go back and tell him that I want to live in a nice house." The fisherman went back to the sea. (Cut from 1 to 2) He called, "Oh wondrous fish, my wife has a wish." The fish rose out of the waves (Show fish) and asked, "What does she want?" "My wife wants to live in a nice house," answered the fisherman. "Her wish is granted," said the fish diving back into the sea. The fisherman returned home (Cut from 2 to 3) to find a nice house where the shack had been.

Alas, the wife was not content. She wanted more. "Go to the fish and tell him I want to live in a fine mansion," said the wife. The fisherman returned to the sea (Cut from 3 to 4) and called the fish. "Oh wondrous fish, my wife has a wish," said the fisherman. Again the fish rose above the waves (Show fish) and asked, "What does she want?" The fisherman answered, "My wife wants to live in a fine mansion." "Her wish is granted," replied the fish as he went back into the sea. The fisherman returned home (Cut from 4 to 5) to find a fine mansion where the house had been.

Still the wife was not content. She told her husband, "Go tell the fish that I want to become king and live in a castle." Again the fisherman went to the sea (Cut from 5 to 6) and called to the fish, "Oh wondrous fish, my wife has a wish." Again the fish appeared (Show fish) and asked, "What does she want?" "She wants to be king and live in a castle," said the fisherman. "Her wish is granted," said the fish as he leaped back into the sea. The fisherman returned home (Cut from 6 to 7) to find a castle where the mansion had been. (Cut B removing excess) His wife was wearing a crown. (Show B holding ends together to make a small crown)

Yet the wife was not content. "This crown is too small and too plain. I want one with a large gem in the middle. Also, I want to be emperor and live in a magnificent palace. Go back and tell the fish." The fisherman returned to the sea (Cut from 7 to 8) and called, "Oh wondrous fish, my wife has a wish." The fish appeared (Show fish) and asked, "What does she want?" The fisherman replied, "She wants a bigger crown with a gem in the middle. She wants to be emperor and live in a magnificent palace." "Her wish is granted," said the fish going back into the sea. The fisherman returned home (Cut from 8 to 9) to find a magnificent palace where the castle had been. His wife was wearing an even bigger crown. (Open paper to show the crown)

Even with all that the wife was not content. "I want to rule all of the stars and all of the planets. I want to rule the universe! Go tell the fish," said the wife. Sadly the fisherman returned to the sea and called, "Oh wondrous fish, my wife has a wish." The fish came up out the sea (Show fish) and asked, "What does she want?" The fisherman answered, "She wants to be ruler of the universe." "That she cannot do," said the fish. "She has asked for too much. She will have to be content with nothing." The fish dove back into the sea never to be seen again. The fisherman returned home to find the shack back where the palace had been. Indeed the fisherman and his wife were back where they had started - with nothing. (Crumple crown and toss)
 

Pattern


I outline my pattern in black marker. I then place it under the paper I am using. The maker shows through the paper making it easy to trace the pattern. The photo below shows this. If I were using heavier paper, I would cut out the pattern, place it on the paper and trace around it.


Below are the final pieces. I taped the small crown to show how I would hold it to show the audience.


This week's Flannel Friday Round-Up is hosted by Amanda of the Trails & Tales blog.


Thursday, May 2, 2013

The Fisherman and His Wife - Draw and Tell Story

This is a part of a series of posts about "Telling One Story Five Ways." It is also my Flannel Friday contribution for this week.

This tale is fairly long for a draw and tell story. It can be done, though the resulting story is one for an experienced draw and tell storyteller. The reason I made it into a draw and tell story is to show how a single story can be adapted to various formats.

This story takes a bit of preparation. It has to be drawn on paper which will be folded in half lengthwise at the end of the story. Since markers bleed through most paper a second sheet of paper should be glued to the bottom half on the back. I took a second piece of paper, folded it in half and glued the halves together, and then I glued that to the back of the first piece of paper. I then folded the paper in half to create a fold line to use as a guide for the placement of the figures and buildings.

To help show how the drawing comes together, I used different colored markers in the examples below. When actually doing the drawing a single color is all that is needed. However, I liked how the final drawing turned out. I am definitely tempted try telling the story using the different colors. It would be a challenge.

It is also going to take a bit of time drawing the buildings as they get more elaborate. I would talk about the how each one differs from the previous one as I draw them.

The Fisherman and His Wife: A Draw and Tell Story
 Linda Meuse
Notes from the Story Room

Long ago there a fisherman (1) and his wife (2) who lived in a very small shack (3) by the sea. One day the fisherman went down to the sea to fish as usual. He quickly felt a tug on his line and pulled up the largest and most unusual fish he had ever seen (4). He was quite startled when the fish begged for his freedom. The fisherman released the  fish back into the sea.


When the fisherman returned home, he told his wife about his strange experience with a talking fish. "You should have made him grant you a wish!" she said. "You spared his life and he owes you a wish. Go back and ask him for a nice house for I am tired of living in a tiny shack." The fisherman went back to the sea (5) and called, "Oh wondrous fish, my wife has a wish" "What does she want?" asked the fish as it came up above the waves. "She wants a nice house to live in," replied the fisherman. "Her wish is granted," said the fish disappearing under the waves. The fisherman returned home to find a nice house (6) where the shack had been.


A week passed but the wife was not happy. "This house is not big enough," said the wife. "Go back and tell the fish we need a fine mansion." The fisherman returned to the sea (7). "Oh wondrous fish, my wife has a wish," called the fisherman. The fish appeared and asked, "What does she want?" "She wants a fine mansion," said the fisherman. "Her wish is granted," said the fish diving back into the sea. The fisherman returned home to find a fine mansion where the house had been (8).


A week passed but the wife was still not happy. She said, "Go back to the sea and tell the fish that I want to live in a castle. Since I will have a castle I should be king as well." The fisherman went back to the sea (9). He called to the fish, "Oh wondrous fish, my wife has a wish." Again the fish appeared and asked, "What does she want?" The fisherman answered, "She wants to live in a castle and be king." "Her wish is granted," said the fish. The fisherman returned to find a castle (10) where the mansion had been. His wife was wearing a crown (11).


Another week passed. The wife was still not happy so she said to her husband, "Go back to the fish and tell him I want to be emperor and live in a magnificent palace." The fisherman returned to the sea (12) and called, "Oh wondrous fish, my wife has a wish." "What does she want now?" asked the fish. The fisherman replied, "She wants to be emperor and live in a magnificent palace." "Her wish is granted," said the fish. The fisherman returned to find a magnificent palace (13) where the castle had been. His wife was wearing an even bigger crown (14).


Was the wife finally happy? No. A week later the wife said to her husband, "Tell the fish that I want to rule the universe and everything in it including the moon and the stars." Sadly the fisherman returned to the sea (15). The fisherman called, "Oh wondrous fish, my wife has a wish." "What does she want?" asked the fish. "She wants to rule the universe and everything in it," answered the fisherman. "That she cannot do," replied the fish. "Now she must live with what she deserves." The fish dove into the sea never to be seen again and the fisherman returned home to find their tiny shack where the magnifcent palace had been (16).


Drawing Sequence:
(1) Draw fisherman with fishing pole near the bottom of the paper
(2) Draw wife below the fold line leaving enough room to draw the crowns on her head later in the story
(3) Draw the shack in the center with the bottom on the fold line
(4) Draw the fish
(5) Draw waves
(6) Draw house using the shack as a door
(7) Draw waves
(8) Draw mansion around house
(9) Draw waves
(10) Draw castle around mansion
(11) Draw crown
(12) Draw waves
(13) Draw palace around castle
(14) Draw larger crown
(15) Draw waves
(16) Fold bottom half up and draw the shack again

The front - with drawing sequence numbers:


The back:


This week's Flannel Friday Round-Up is being hosted by Library Quine of the Loons and Quines blog.