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Michael R. Kasony-O'Malley, Professional Storyteller, offers one-week and two-week Storytelling Residency Programs for schools. Michael's residencies include storytelling programs, small-group classroom workshops, and, oftentimes, intensive work with a "core group of young storytellers." Each residency is tailored to meet each school's specific needs. A school's residency may also include professional development in-services for teachers, storytelling workshops for parents, and/or storytelling performances for families & the community. |
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One special feature that is often a part of Michael's residencies is his "core group for young storytellers." When managing a core group, Michael works intensively with a small number of students who then "tell their tales" to audiences at their school. Each "core group student" picks a different and unique folk tale to work on during the residency. As he explains, "The core groups provide me with the opportunity to work closely with a small group of students. I am always impressed with the level of progress students can make as storytellers in a mere week or two. It is very rewarding. Near the end of the residency, the core group students share their stories with other students during classroom presentations and school-wide assemblies. I love observing the students in the audience as they listen to their peers tell the tales. Their expressions, their attentiveness, and their enthusiasm speak volumes about the educational power of stories and storytelling. Everyone in the school shares in the excitement."
The Irish poet W.B. Yeats wrote, "Education is not filling a bucket - but lighting a fire." Michael's goal as a storyteller is to light the fire of excitement about stories, storytelling, story writing, story reading, books, story listening, and learning. With each storytelling residency, Michael's goal is to provide the students, the staff, and the school community with an enjoyable, memorable, and powerful educational experience. Michael's goal is to "light the learning fire" through the ancient art of storytelling.
Here's what folks are saying about Michael's Residencies:
"I have been here for 7 years. Michael's residency was simply one of the best programs we have ever had." Classroom teacher
"Students were able to hear and tell good stories - stories from excellent literature, stories rich with good vocabulary, plots, characters, etc. It was very valuable. Michael also made himself available to teachers as a storytelling resource." Classroom teacher
"The growth in the core group students was amazing!" Jayne Geers, Language Arts Specialist, Tussing Elementary School, Pickerington, OH
"It was a phenomenal experience for students and teachers alike." Classroom teacher |
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