SCHOOL &
LIBRARY VISITS
STORYTELLING CONCERTS
Edmonton storyteller Kathy Jessup is totally at ease entering a room full of lively young children. Holding the attention of several hundred students for the better part of an hour might seem daunting to some, but Kathy thrives on the experience. She’s now in to her second decade of entertaining children and over the years she’s performed her original tales in countless schools, libraries, concerts and festivals across Canada. As an experienced entertainer, Kathy presents her stories in a relaxed humorous atmosphere, building an instant rapport with her audiences. Her concerts are “interactive” with ample opportunity for her listeners to participate.
Kathy’s storytelling repertoire includes both original stories and world folktales. When featuring her own work, she loves to share insights into the creative process. Kathy reveals some of the magic, explaining how she starts with an idea then weaves in fact and fiction giving birth to a new story. The power of oral storytelling is not lost on young audiences!
“First I like to capture a child’s interest by telling them a story,” says Kathy. “Once they’re hooked, I take them on a backward journey, so they can understand how the story came to be. It gets them excited about creating their own stories.”
Storytelling concerts can be adapted to accommodate student grade level, time requirements, special requests and particular Curriculum interests (e.g. character education and appreciation of world cultures.)
Telling stories…depends principally upon one matter. It depends on making your listener ask all the time, “What’s going to happen next?”
-Frank Delaney
FOR GRANT OPPORTUNITIES:
The Canada Council
Funds storytelling performances hosted by libraries, bookstores and community centres. Events must be open to the public, well publicized and free of charge.
Check under the “Spoken word and Storytelling” grant program
www.canadacouncil.ca/grants/writingThe Young Alberta Books Society:
Funds storytelling performances during their October literary festival “TALEBLAZERS.” Schools and libraries pay the storyteller’s fee, YABS covers travel and accommodation costs. Kathy is an experienced performer with this festival.
www.yabs.ab.ca
STORYTELLING WORKSHOP
“YOUR TURN” GRADE 4 to 6
In this workshop students discover telling tales can be a good thing---in fact, children are born storytellers! Sometimes they just need a little creative encouragement so they can really “shine.” With Kathy’s help, they’ll discover how to let loose and have fun telling stories. They’ll also learn the ingredients for shaping a good story, come up with their own tale, and gather valuable performance tips.
Note: In this workshop, children must be prepared (and keen!) to perform in front of others.
WRITER-IN-RESIDENCE
Kathy has many years experience presenting her creative writing workshops to children from Kindergarten through Grade six. She has visited dozens of schools throughout Alberta, both in the public and separate school systems.
WORKSHOP: “TELL ME A STORY”
ECS to Grade 2
Using a storyboard format, Kathy encourages young children to tell/draw/write their stories in a fun and creative way. During the workshop Kathy guides students while providing many tips and strategies for improving their creative writing skills. This workshop is also popular in ESL and special needs classrooms.
WORKSHOP: “WRITE ON” GRADE 3 to 6
Kathy motivates young writers with this high energy fun workshop. Using creative analogies, she encourages students to write better stories, while emphasizing the basics of a good story plan. During the workshop Kathy shares many practical tips and strategies to help improve creative writing skills.
CLICK to view a complete description of Kathy’s week-long “Writer-in-Residence” workshop program
FOR GRANT OPPORTUNITIES
The Alberta Foundation for the Arts “Artists and Education” program provides grants for school residencies. Kathy has visited numerous schools throughout Alberta as part of this very worthwhile program.
www.affta.ab.ca/artists-and-education.shtml
CLICK to find out what people are saying about Kathy Jessup's School Writing Workshops.