Showing posts with label literacy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label literacy. Show all posts
January 18, 2016
December 31, 2015
Upcoming Events
Here's the latest listing of what I've got coming up, in both storytelling and "storytiming!" Storytiming first:
Section 1:
WEEKLY LIBRARY STORYTIME EVENTS:
MONDAYS (Livermore Public Library) 1/4 - 5/27
10:15 a.m. Toddler/Preschool Storytime (Civic Center)
10:45 a.m. Toddler/Preschool Storytime (Civic Center)
4:00 p.m. Big Kids Wonder Workshop(Storytelling & activities for students 1st grade & above) (Civic Center)
WEDNESDAYS (Livermore Public Library, Rincon) 1/4 - 5/27
10:15 a.m. Toddler/Preschool Storytime
11:00 a.m. Bilingual Baby Storytime (prewalkers)
THURSDAYS (Menlo Park Library)
10:15 a.m. & 11:15 a.m. Toddler Storytimes
___________________________________
Section 2:
STORYTELLING APPEARANCES:
Thursday, January 7
Saturday, January 16
Sunday, January 17
CHILDREN'S FAIRYLAND
Lake Merritt, Oakland
Storytelling at 1:30 & 2:30 each day, included with park admission.
CHILDREN'S FAIRYLAND
Lake Merritt, Oakland
Storytelling at 1:30 & 2:30 each day, included with park admission.
Sunday, January 24
PALO ALTO CHILDREN'S LIBRARY STORYTELLING FESTIVALFestival runs from 1:15 - 4:15; I will be performing at around 2:00 p.m.
Thursday, February 4
MENLO PARK LIBRARY
Storytelling at 4pm
Wednesday, February 17
SUNNYVALE LIBRARY
Storytelling at 2 p.m.
MENLO PARK LIBRARY
Storytelling at 4pm
Wednesday, February 17
SUNNYVALE LIBRARY
Storytelling at 2 p.m.
Tuesday, May 17
Storytelling at 4:00 p.m.
Storyteller John Weaver
September 30, 2015
Upcoming Events
Here's the latest listing of what I've got coming up, in both storytelling and "storytiming!" Storytiming first:
Section 1:
WEEKLY LIBRARY STORYTIME EVENTS:
MONDAYS (Livermore Public Library) THROUGH 12/18
10:15 a.m. Toddler/Preschool Storytime (Civic Center)
10:45 a.m. Toddler/Preschool Storytime (Civic Center)
4:00 p.m. Big Kids Read (Storytelling & activities for students 1st grade & above) (Civic Center)
WEDNESDAYS (Livermore Public Library, Rincon) THROUGH 12/18
10:15 a.m. Toddler/Preschool Storytime
11:00 a.m. Bilingual Baby Storytime (prewalkers)
THURSDAYS (Menlo Park Library)
10:15 a.m. & 11:15 a.m. Toddler Storytimes
___________________________________
Section 2:
STORYTELLING APPEARANCES:
Thursday, October 22
3600 Norbridge Ave, Castro Valley, CA
10:00 a.m.
Thursday, November 5
MENLO PARK LIBRARY
Storytelling at 4pm
1:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 21
Sunday, November 22
CHILDREN'S FAIRYLAND
Lake Merritt, Oakland
Storytelling at 1:30 & 2:30 each day, included with park admission.
Thursday, December 3
MENLO PARK LIBRARY
Storytelling at 4pm
CHILDREN'S FAIRYLAND
Lake Merritt, Oakland
Storytelling at 1:30 & 2:30 each day, included with park admission.
Thursday, December 3
MENLO PARK LIBRARY
Storytelling at 4pm
Saturday, December 5
Sunday, December 13
Saturday, January 16
Sunday, January 17
CHILDREN'S FAIRYLAND
Lake Merritt, Oakland
Storytelling at 1:30 & 2:30 each day, included with park admission.
CHILDREN'S FAIRYLAND
Lake Merritt, Oakland
Storytelling at 1:30 & 2:30 each day, included with park admission.
Storyteller John Weaver
July 09, 2015
From the Inbox: Creating New Storytellers
I loved performing for an enthusiastic group this week at the Campbell Library. As usual, I encouraged kids & families to tell each other stories--the ones I'd shared, or favorites of their own.
I was very pleased today to open my email to this message from a parent:
"...my kids 7 year old ...and 5 year old ... saw you at the Campbell Library and my son loved it. They ... went up to thank when you were done. (My son) retold me your stories for 20 minutes straight. Thanks"
Nice--one of my hoped-for outcomes! I can call the day a success. I also noticed books of folktales flying out of the place, so that makes me doubly-happy.
For regular updates, connect with me on Facebook!
Storyteller John Weaver
February 24, 2015
From the Inbox
Well you were paid the ultimate compliment the other day... My daughter, age four, told me that the story teller is sooo good that he does not even need BOOKs. Rather, he TELLs the story without them. She also told me that anyone can be a story teller. Mission accomplished John! i love it! Also, several parents have told me they have seen the development of much more imaginative play in their children since you have been with the school.
We are so happy with this!
I'm so glad to know the program has been making a difference!
February 15, 2015
Upcoming Events
Here's the latest listing of what I've got coming up, in both storytelling and "storytiming!" Storytiming first:
Section 1:
WEEKLY LIBRARY STORYTIME EVENTS:
MONDAYS (Livermore Public Library)
10 a.m. Toddler Storytime (walkers to age 3) (Civic Center)
11 a.m. Toddler Storytime (walkers to age 3) (Civic Center)
6 p.m. Pajamatime Family Storytime (Rincon)
THURSDAYS (Menlo Park Library)
11:15 a.m. Toddler Storytime (monthly online registration required)
FRIDAYS (Livermore Public Library, Civic Center)
10 a.m. Preschool Storytime (age 3-5)
SATURDAYS (Livermore Public Library, Civic Center)
New MONTHLY event--the 4th Saturday of each month
10 a.m. Family Storytime
February 28, March 21, April 25
___________________________________
Section 2:
STORYTELLING APPEARANCES:
Saturday, January 17
Sunday, January 18
Lake Merritt, Oakland
Storytelling at 1:30 & 2:30 each day, included with park admission.
Thursday, February 5
Storytelling at 4pm
Wednesday, February 18
665 W. Olive Ave.
Storytelling at 4 p.m.
Thursday, March 5
Storytelling at 4pm
Saturday, March 14
Sunday, March 15
Lake Merritt, Oakland
Storytelling at 1:30 & 2:30 each day, included with park admission.
Thursday, April 2
Storytelling at 4pm
Saturday, April 26
665 W. Olive Ave
Participating in the library's Annual Storytelling Festival, which begins at 2 p.m.
Thursday, May 7
Storytelling at 4pm
Saturday, May 16
Sunday, May 17
Lake Merritt, Oakland
Storytelling at 1:30 & 2:30 each day, included with park admission.
Wednesday, July 8
77 Harrison Avenue, Campbell, CA
Storytelling at 3:30 pm.
Other recent or upcoming events include storytelling & education programs for Covenant Preschool. Private events (for schools, etc.) do not show up in listings above. For regular updates, connect with me on Facebook!
December 31, 2014
2014: A Look Back
I’m starting off 2015 with a look back at 2014:
Speaking Engagements:
It was a pleasure this year to speak at conferences of the Santa Clara County Reading Council & the American Library Association's Association of Library Service to Children. At the Asilomar Reading Conference, I shared a few tips to help teachers refresh their reading presentation for their kids' benefit & their own sanity. At my ALSC Institute talk--held this year at Oakland's Children's Fairyland--I spoke with librarians about some ideas for incorporating the art & benefits of storytelling into their programming. It was an honor to be included in both events!
Festival Storytelling:
I love library Storytelling Festivals; they bring the art into peoples' communities, perhaps introducing them to storytelling for the very first time--and all for free! This year, I shared tales at the Palo Alto Children's Library's Annual Storytelling Festival, and at the Sunnyvale Library's 25th Annual Storytelling Festival.
Library Storytelling:
I also visited the Sunnyvale Library and the Palo Alto Children's Library this year for individual storytelling appearances. Other libraries I visited included the Campbell Library, the Los Osos Library, and the Menlo Park Library. In Menlo Park--one of my two home libraries--I hosted both weekly and monthly storytelling events at different times of the year. It's wonderful to have ongoing programs like these, which have given me the opportunity to build on stories, and on audience knowledge, to really enrich the experience.
Storytelling in other public venues:
I got to bring my stories to some wonderful places this year! I made several visits to Children's Fairyland, a long-time storytelling home of mine, with regular weekend visits, as well as special-event storytelling for their Sleepover and Fairy Winterland events. I also returned to two of my favorite children's museums, the Hawaii Children's Discovery Center in Honolulu, and the Children's Discovery Museum in San Jose.
 |
| I enjoyed being back in Pacific Grove for the 2014 Asilomar Reading Conference! |
Festival Storytelling:
I love library Storytelling Festivals; they bring the art into peoples' communities, perhaps introducing them to storytelling for the very first time--and all for free! This year, I shared tales at the Palo Alto Children's Library's Annual Storytelling Festival, and at the Sunnyvale Library's 25th Annual Storytelling Festival.
 |
| Sharing my stories & nonsense with everyone at the Sunnyvale Library |
Library Storytelling:
I also visited the Sunnyvale Library and the Palo Alto Children's Library this year for individual storytelling appearances. Other libraries I visited included the Campbell Library, the Los Osos Library, and the Menlo Park Library. In Menlo Park--one of my two home libraries--I hosted both weekly and monthly storytelling events at different times of the year. It's wonderful to have ongoing programs like these, which have given me the opportunity to build on stories, and on audience knowledge, to really enrich the experience.
Storytelling in other public venues:
I got to bring my stories to some wonderful places this year! I made several visits to Children's Fairyland, a long-time storytelling home of mine, with regular weekend visits, as well as special-event storytelling for their Sleepover and Fairy Winterland events. I also returned to two of my favorite children's museums, the Hawaii Children's Discovery Center in Honolulu, and the Children's Discovery Museum in San Jose.
 |
| Aloha from the Hawaii Children's Discovery Center |
 |
| On stage at Children's Fairyland |
Schools, Summer Camps & More:
Preschools, Elementary Schools, Middle Schools, day camps, family campouts, book fairs, assemblies, a monthly "Storyteller-in-Residence" program...so many different opportunities! This year, they brought me to cities including Alameda, Atherton, Foster City, Fremont, Moraga, Morgan Hill, Menlo Park, Novato, Palo Alto, Redwood City, San Mateo, San Ramon, Sunnyvale, and Walnut Creek.
Storytimes, programming & more at my library homes:
The Menlo Park Library and the Livermore Public Library have kept me busy this year with a multitude of duties. My regular storytimes have included Baby Storytime, Toddler Storytime, Preschool Storytime, School-age Storytime, Family Storytime, and Bilingual English/Spanish Storytime. Hundreds of books shared!
Summer Reading Program planning once again allowed me to bring fun and valuable events to the libraries, and my new role in adult programming in Menlo Park has brought decades of my various experiences together, as I plan, promote, and host a regular series of events, including author appearances, informational presentations, cooking demonstration & instruction, poetry, and performance. A big highlight of the year in Menlo Park was getting to host the Montclair Women's Big Band, an amazingly-talented group! Over 300 people crowded the library to take in the after-hours holiday concert.
The programming job also lets me bring in a variety of professional storytellers for both adult & youth programs; this year, that group included Olga Loya, Eth-Noh-Tec, Ruth Halpern and Leona Hoegsberg. I've already got more such events planned for 2015!
 |
| The Menlo Park Library. I love being here. |
So what’s ahead for 2015?
More storytimes! More library programming! More special library storytelling visits! More Children's Fairyland! More festival storytelling! More school Storyteller-in-Residence! Visit my Upcoming Events listing for dates of my upcoming storytelling visits in Campbell, Menlo Park, Oakland, Sunnyvale and beyond. What is beyond? Stay with me and we will find out together! And if you know of a place you'd like to see me perform, please let the people in charge know about me!
More storytimes! More library programming! More special library storytelling visits! More Children's Fairyland! More festival storytelling! More school Storyteller-in-Residence! Visit my Upcoming Events listing for dates of my upcoming storytelling visits in Campbell, Menlo Park, Oakland, Sunnyvale and beyond. What is beyond? Stay with me and we will find out together! And if you know of a place you'd like to see me perform, please let the people in charge know about me!
Happy New Year! Wishing you much health & happiness in 2015.
April 17, 2014
Upcoming Events
Catch me story telling or "story timing!" Here's where to look...
Storytimes at the Livermore & Menlo Park Libraries are in brown; storytelling events are in red. Keep checking in for updates!
_______________________________
WEEKLY LIBRARY STORYTIME EVENTS:
MONDAYS (Livermore Public Library, Civic Center) Through 5/12
10:30am Toddler Storytime
11:30am Toddler Storytime
7pm Pajamatime Family Storytime
THURSDAYS (Menlo Park Library)
11:15 Toddler Storytime
**MUST BE REGISTERED ONLINE**
FRIDAYS (Livermore Public Library, Rincon) Through 5/16
10:30 Toddler Storytime
11am Preschool Storytime
_____________________________________________
STORYTELLING APPEARANCES:
Thursday, April 17
School-Age Storytelling
**Must register online**
4pm
It’s a new weekly storytelling series (this is NOT a storytime) for school-agers and their grown-ups!
Thursday, April 24
School-Age Storytelling
**Must register online**
4pm
It’s a new weekly storytelling series (this is NOT a storytime) for school-agers and their grown-ups!
**FINAL EVENT UNTIL SEPTEMBER**
Saturday, April 26
665 W. Olive Ave
Participating in the library's Annual Storytelling Festival, which begins at 2pm
Saturday, June 5
Sunday, June 6
Lake Merritt, Oakland
Storytelling at 1:30pm & 2:30pm (different stories each time), weather-dependent.
Thursday, June 26
2075 Palisades Ave.
Storytelling at 11am
Wednesday, July 16
77 Harrison Ave.
Storytelling at 3:30pm
Saturday, July 19
Lake Merritt, Oakland
**SLEEPOVER EVENT** Check the park's website to see how you can camp out at Fairyland!
Other recent or upcoming events include storytelling & education for Highlands Elementary (San Mateo), Brier Elementary(Fremont), Ardenwood Elementary (Fremont), Heads Up (Palo Alto), Bright Horizons (Alameda), Fremont Unified School District summer schools, Sequoia Preschool & Kindergarten (Redwood City), Montevideo Elementary (San Ramon), Live Oak Elementary (San Ramon),Valle Verde Children's Center (Walnut Creek), and Rolling Hills Club (Novato). Private events (for schools, etc.) do not show up in listings above. For regular updates, connect with me on Facebook!
Check out the book: How to be a Storyteller: Essays and Advice on the Art of Storytelling!
February 15, 2014
Classics, illustrated
 |
| If Mama is as angry as she looks, Juan Bobo is in big trouble! |
A VERY GOOD day in the life of a storyteller: a fifth-grade regular at my afternoon storytelling sessions drew her rendition of a scene from one of my tales that captured her imagination. This story had stuck with her an entire week, coming out in illustrated form after the subsequent Thursday session. Big smile on my face!
I encourage my listeners to share their favorite stories with others, to tell them their own way, to write down a version or draw a picture. I loved seeing this very famous Juan Bobo tale brought to life--and so beautifully.
Do you know about Juan Bobo? Visit your library and read a version of his story!
February 13, 2014
Read Up: Moo!
 |
| Better mooo outta the way! |
A cow spots a car in her grazing space, and just like that, everything is mooving at a fast pace!
What a book! David LaRochelle and Mike Wohnoutka manage to tell an engaging, action-packed tale in just a few pages, and just about one word.
Is "moo" a word?
We've had a lot of fun at storytimes discussing what is happening, so there is absolutely no lack of language and thought involved in processing this hilarious story. Pick it up, share it, and talk about it--and be sure to moo along!
Check this book out! Have fun with it, & let me know what you think. Do you have any favorite books about cows, or cars--or whatever? Please let me know!
January 11, 2014
"Parents, put down your phones."
Do you see it all the time, too: children trying to engage with their parents, only to be ignored in favor of a screen?
From the KQED Perspective series, here's a very well-put-together commentary on the topic by Pam Miller, a psychotherapist & early literacy adviser.
From the KQED Perspective series, here's a very well-put-together commentary on the topic by Pam Miller, a psychotherapist & early literacy adviser.
Hang Up and Talk
Pam Miller sees it all the time -- parents more interested in their phones than talking to their children.
Pam Miller sees it all the time -- parents more interested in their phones than talking to their children.
By Pam Miller
I bet we all can agree: parenting is hard work. It's a huge responsibility. It's tiring, never-ending and sometimes unrewarding. Yet, as a therapist and mother, I've never met a parent who didn't want to be good at it.
Still, as I ride the bus, I notice how many parents are not talking to their kids, especially their little kids, the two-to-five year olds, kids old enough to talk. The parents I see are almost always staring at or talking on their cell phones.
Their children try valiantly to engage them in conversation. The kids look out the window or at their fellow passengers. They're curious, watchful and stimulated. They want to share their experiences, to connect, to feel attached. Yet, too often, these precious opportunities are lost.
Recently, on Muni I heard, "Mommy, look at that house out there." "Daddy, I'm thirsty." "Mommy, why is that person in a wheelchair?" Kids trying to talk things over with their parents. Yet, in each instance the parents were too absorbed in their phones to respond. Some even seemed annoyed.
The kids' reactions? Either they asked again and again, and were reprimanded, or they withdrew in silence, believing they'd done something wrong. Their little faces registered rejection, resignation, and they tugged at my heartstrings. They were just doing what comes naturally -- trying to share their experiences with a grownup.
Yes, parenting is hard, but parents are the ones who have the most influence on their children's futures. Research is overwhelmingly clear: kids who are spoken to and who hear lots of words, hopefully positive ones, do much better in school than kids who don't. And that means they usually do better in life, too.
What can we do? We can remind adults who care for children to talk to them or to bring a book along to read to them.
We can encourage Muni and BART to put up public service signs, reminding parents to talk to their children on their ride.
Parents, put down your phones. Give your kids a very special gift this season, the gift of conversation.
With a Perspective, this is Pam Miller.
Pam Miller is a San Francisco psychotherapist and an advisor to an early literacy non-profit group.
With a Perspective, this is Pam Miller.
Pam Miller is a San Francisco psychotherapist and an advisor to an early literacy non-profit group.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)