Maine Arts Education Conference
Samoset Resort: Literature, Storytelling and Music in the Classroom
Peter and Mary Alice's workshop notes for Friday, Oct 5, 2007
Dear Maine workshop participants,
Thank you for your enthusiastic participation in our workshop today.
Here are notes from the workshop:
Fox Went Out on a Chilly Night p. 2 in handout
What great language in this song, right from the start: "He had many
a mile to go this night". The ducks and the geese are kept therein.
He grabbed the grey goose by the neck and he flung a duck across his
back. Old Mother Tippertopper jumped out of bed and out of the window she
cocked her head crying, "John, John," the fox, he said "I
better flee with my kill." Then the fox and his wife without any strife,
they cut up the goose with a fork and a knife." If children get
involved in the story of this song they will memorize this great poetry very
quickly. Make up your own story introduction to this.
Owl and the Pussycat p. 5 and 8 in handout
We encourage you to make up your own songs to poems, and see how it makes
you, the children, and the poem come alive.
Faerie's Gift
faerie'sgift.pdf
PICTURE BOOKS 1
Mother Earth p. 6 in handout
Marion Anderson ("Keep On Singing")
MarionAnderson.pdf
I Live in Music p. 6 in handout
After I tell a story I often give the children homework: tell this story out loud before you go to bed. It could be to your mother or father or sibling or even your dog or just say it out loud to yourself. Then you will remember it for a long time.
We loved your acting-out interpretation of the story. Try this out with your students. It is a risk, and it might get a little chaotic, but it can also be one of the most memorable experiences you and your students have together.
PICTURE BOOKS II
In the Fiddle There is a Song
by Durga Bernhard, Chronicle Books LLC, Pub. Date: June 2006, ISBN-13: 9780811849517.
Do this to your favorite fiddle music CD.
Johnny Appleseed p. 3 and 8 in handout.
The Whales p. 6 in handout
Mama Buy Me a Chiney Doll p. 1 and 7
Sam, age 2 1/2, can't sing the song without telling the story. Sam's 26 now,
and you can here samples of his upcoming album ('All is Well', scheduled
for February 2008 release) at this link: Sam Amidon's Album Samples.
Keep telling those stories!
Best,
Peter and Mary Alice Amidon