Audiences always enjoy Glenda's shows.
Teaching Storytelling to Students
When I work as an Artist in Residence (AIR) in schools, I use the following basic steps to teach K-6 students the art of storytelling. I adjust the steps to match the learning skills of each class, so the example stories and the folktale reviews are appropriate for each grade level.
1. Tell the group an example story.
2. Provide ice breaking games involving verbal skills.
3. Introduce the concept of "Appreciations and Suggestions"
4. Initiate theater games to help students understand character,
conflict, struggles and motivation.
5. Have students review a variety of folktales and talk to other students
about a story they found interesting.
6. Invite students to create and share a new story or adapt a folktale using
some of the skills learned so far.
7. After each telling, ask the storytellers if they would like to receive
appreciations and suggestions from classmates. (This is not a
mandatory exercise, so it is not an issue if someone declines.)
8. Encourage students to re-tell their stories and receive new feedback
in the form of appreciations and suggestions.
9. After sharing a story two or three times, and receiving feedback from
fellow students, encourage the class to consider sharing their stories
with an audience.
Glenda Bonin Talks about Her Work:
I am experienced innovator, and I appreciate the value of constant growth, transferring skills and learning from one endeavor to another. I have been a performer for more than 25 years, and my background includes 14 years in PR/marketing and 3 years in the television industry. Prior to that, I worked as a free-lance professional clown, magician and puppeteer. Whenever I approach a project, I draw from past experiences to create something fresh, timely and unique. My career as a professional storyteller was launched in 1996, and I enjoy touring around the country to perform before a variety of audiences.
| 
