School Information

Dear Educator:

Would you like for all your students to be excited about words? Students who are excited about words have good vocabularies and express themselves well verbally and in writing. You can provide an opportunity for your students that will enrich their "word" experience by taking them to the fourth annual Athens Storytelling Festival in 2010. Five nationally renowned storytellers will spellbind your students by bringing their stories to life in the listener's minds and hearts.

The festival will be appropriate for student groups from third grade and up. Storytelling recordings, books and shirts will be for sale at the Athens Storytelling Festival Ticket Office/Bookstore located in the Athens State University Center for Lifelong Learning in historic downtown Athens. Food vendors will be located on the square downtown or schools may bring sack lunches.

Many of our Tennessee Valley area schools are being invited. Please make your reservation as soon as possible. You will be sent a complete schedule with times and detailed information.

If you have any questions, you may contact: Wayne Kuykendall Storytelling Festival Committee Chairman, 256-232-0400. Included with this letter is further information that could be used for grant writing to fund this opportunity

The festival goal is to provide students of all levels a unique experience that inspires and enriches their lives. Don't you want your students to discover the magic of storytelling?

Sincerely,

Wayne Kuykendall
Festival Coordinator

WHAT IS A STORYTELLING FESTIVAL?

Our community is being given the opportunity to participate in the oldest form of education. Students will be spellbound as they listen to five nationally renowned storytellers who will demonstrate the art of storytelling. Storytelling is traditional, creative, educational, cultural, personal, and therapeutic. The stories told will seem spontaneous, but not without hours of coaching and practice-the storytellers will captivate their audience by using eye contact, their voices, movement, and expressions to bring their stories to life in the listeners' minds and hearts.

BENEFITS OF ATTENDING A STORYTELLING EVENT:

  • Auditory processing skills and listening skills are supported and practiced
  • Visualization skills are expanded as children form pictures in their minds
  • Memories are enhanced, attention spans are stretched, and emotions are engaged
  • Characters, events, and settings are brought to life
  • Promotes an interest in literature and the appreciation of classic tales
  • Demonstrates the power of words and clear communication
  • Develops appreciation for family stories and their personal heritage
  • May inspire some to become storytellers
  • Creates a great class memory

Websites to use in preparing students for the storytellers:

http://www.planetesme.com/storytelling.html
http://www.storyarts.org
http://www.storyteller.net

For More Information Contact:
Wayne Kuykendall
Festival Coordinator
256-232-0400
E-mail: info@athensstorytellingfestival.com