Q & A
- What kinds of residencies do 'Beauty & the Beast' offer?
- How do students benefit from learning to tell a story?
- What happens before 'Beauty & the Beast' arrive?
- What is the length of a residency?
- What happens during a residency?
- How do I arrange to have a residency at my school?
What kinds of residencies do 'Beauty and the Beast' offer?
1) Folktale Residency: Students learn to tell their own versions of traditional folktales. Because Martha and Mitch's priority is to have the students' first experience at telling be a positive one, they have retold child-friendly versions of numerous folktales, and these are the stories from which students choose. This ensures the success of the project since every student chooses a story that is good for oral telling. Watch the companion DVD to Children Tell Stories: Teaching and Using Storytelling in the Classroom to get a clear idea of what a folktale residency experience is like.
2) Personal/Family Stories Residency: Students learn to tell stories based on their own experiences or interviews with family members. Since it is vital that students have a story ready before 'Beauty & the Beast' arrive, it will be necessary for the target group students to do some interviewing and writing (based on materials that 'B&B' will send in advance) before the residency begins. Alternately, Mitch and Martha can do a longer residency where they work with students first on writing skills, and then on speaking and public presentation skills.
3) Original Stories Residency: Mitch and Martha do one or more writing workshops in individual classrooms where teachers would like to get their students excited and confident about making up and writing their own stories. Mitch and Martha demonstrate how one can be inspired by folk literature to make up one's own "how and why" stories and/or "noodlehead" tales. Before they arrive, teachers can use Martha and Mitch's books and recordings to arouse enthusiasm. After the workshop(s), teachers will be able to follow through using their writing units: Writing How & Why Stories: A Unit for Second through Sixth Graders and Writing Noodlehead Stories: A Unit for Second through Sixth Graders.
How do students benefit from learning to tell a story?
The state standards for learning throughout the U.S. place an emphasis on speaking and listening skills, both of which storytelling teaches. Many schools have found storytelling to be such a valuable learning tool that it is now a part of their curriculum. Among the many other benefits that teachers involved in residencies have noticed are:
an increase in self-esteem and a sense of pride in accomplishing something that at first seemed difficult and scary.
improvement in class cooperation and peer support.
increased understanding of standard story components: beginning and end, plot, characters, setting, theme.
poise and confidence when speaking before a group.
For much more detail, see Children Tell Stories: Teaching and Using Storytelling in the Classroom.
What happens before 'Beauty & the Beast' arrive?
The school will choose target groups (e.g., all fourth grade classes) which 'Beauty and the Beast' will work with in individual classrooms.
Before a folktale residency, materials are sent to teachers well in advance, providing them with guidelines for helping students choose and learn stories. Students in the target groups must choose and learn a story before Mitch and Martha arrive.
Before a personal/family stories residency, students will receive a packet of information that will instruct them on interviewing family members and help them write their stories for telling.
What is the length of a residency?
'Beauty & the Beast' have led a variety of residencies ranging from one school building to an entire school district, and are always willing to tailor the format to meet the needs of a particular school. The length varies according to the number of target groups involved, and the amount of preparation done in advance by target group teachers. 'B&B' residencies last anywhere from three days to several weeks. Contact Mitch and Martha for specific information for your school.
What happens during a residency?
'Beauty and the Beast' will begin the residency with performances for the entire school population. They will then meet 3-5 times with each of the target groups for 50 minute workshops. The first session will be an interactive 'How-To" workshop. During later sessions, Mitch and Martha will each take half of the class and give all students individualized help with their stories.
During the residency 'Beauty & the Beast' encourage teachers to provide students with ample opportunities for telling their stories (e.g., sharing stories with other classes or traveling to interested organizations in the community). An excellent culminating event is a program where the students tell their stories for families and invited guests. In many schools, Mitch and Martha open the culminating event by telling a story for everyone. The large group then splits into classrooms where students tell their stories.
Other options for the residency include: one-time workshops with other grade levels; a teacher workshop; an evening parent workshop; or a 45 minute evening performance by 'B&B' open to the community.
How do I arrange to have a residency at my school?
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Contact: Beauty and the Beast Storytellers Mitch Weiss and Martha Hamilton 954 Coddington Rd. Ithaca, New York 14850-6022 Phone: (607) 277-0016 Fax: (607) 277-0968 e-mail: info@beautyandthebeaststorytellers.com
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They will be glad to answer any questions about fees or how they might tailor a residency to fit the needs of your school.
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