July August 2011 Newsletter

                           Summer Days by

                Edward Killingworth Johnson
                     (1825 – 1896, English)

Summer's here and the time is right, for dancing in the streets...Yes, I am dating myself by knowing the lyrics to the Mamas and the Pappas song, which I just learned was first recorded by Martha and the Vandellas in 1964. No matter who sings it, that song always gets me in the summer time mood!

Last month my two storytelling troupes rocked the house on both nights of the festival. They always add new twists to their tales at the last minute, showcasing their amazing talents and most importantly, having fun! Stop by the Kid’s Corner in this newsletter and read about just one of the creative moments. I plan on writing a blog post highlighting more in the next week or so. 

I had the great pleasure last month of being interviewed on the radio by Dr. Bill Lampton of Championship Communication in June as well. If you would like to read a bit more about it and perhaps listen, go to http://tinyurl.com/64t47js.  

This July I will be attending the Tejas Storytelling Conference in Texas, conducting a storytelling workshop in Newfoundland, and visiting Maine in August. If you will be visiting or live in Newfoundland and are interested in attending the workshop, please email me; I will be happy to answer your questions and I would love to meet you!

Remember, if you are seeking stories, curriculum, etc., for other special days or events don’t forget to search the newsletter archives. I have also listed a few below in the Stories section for you so you just have to point and click. A Google search box is available on the main newsletter site at http://storybugnewsletter.blogspot.com . I also add stories and education resources on my blog as well. You may find it here: http://www.karenchace.blogspot.com/.

As always, I appreciate your time. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions please drop me a note at  storybug@aol.com . Wishing you a joyful and safe summer, surrounded by loving family and good friends; see you in September!

Warm wishes,
Karen Chace
www.storybug.net

STORIES

There seems to be a special day for just about anything! July 15 is National Cow Appreciation Day. If you don’t have a cow to hug, at least tell a story about them!

Brer Rabbit Fools Sis Cow – African American
http://tinyurl.com/6fjcjce

Cow’s Head – Ukraine
http://tinyurl.com/6fhcutk
The Cow Tail Switch – Liberia
http://tinyurl.com/62wtj63

Lappa, the Elfin Cow – Iceland
http://tinyurl.com/6xlpwtg

The Miraculous Cow – Philippines
http://tinyurl.com/6hol5f9
One Man and His Precious Cow – West Africa
http://tinyurl.com/6kupksw
The Three Daughters and the Lost Cow - Tibet
http://tinyurl.com/68c4tfn

July 17 is Yellow Pig Day! I am not sure what color these pigs are but I am sure you will have a great time reading these tales from around the world.

The Dog and the Pig – India
http://tinyurl.com/6kw57cf

The Impatient Pig – Nigeria
http://tinyurl.com/6hryg9l
The Ram and the Pig and the Who Set Up House – Norway
http://tinyurl.com/6ykz9gr

I thought I would throw in some farm tales as well.

The Farm – France
http://tinyurl.com/5ugv2rz

The Robber and the Farm Animals – Switzerland
http://tinyurl.com/6a62klw

Need some frog tales? Hop on over to my blog post from 2010.

http://tinyurl.com/685ddh3

Or perhaps you are buzzing around looking for stories about bees?
Fly over to my newsletter from May/June 2010. http://tinyurl.com/6cloyje

August 3 is National Watermelon Day. Visit my blog post from August 2010 for some sweet and seedless stories! http://tinyurl.com/4oc9njh


BOUNTIFUL BLOGS

Chaz-Tales – My storytelling colleague Charles Kiernan chooses one fairytale a month to “take a peek under its surface.” http://chaz-tales.livejournal.com/

CRAFTS

DLTK’S Craft for Kids – Lots of fun, farm animal crafts; chickens, lambs, donkeys and more for a variety of age groups. http://www.dltk-kids.com/animals/farm.html

Enchanted Learning – Ducks, pigs, and rabbits oh my! More easy and fabulous farm crafts to keep the children smiling through the summer. http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/farm/

 

CURRICULUM

The Kind Tiger and the Truthful Cow: Folk Discourse in Oral and Written Literature – This issue of the Electronic Journal of Folklore offers an interesting discussion but there are also examples of stories sprinkled throughout. http://www.folklore.ee/folklore/vol14/pdf/tiger.pdf

The Teacher’s Guide – On the Farm – Lesson plans, whiteboard resources, print outs, crafts, recipes and clip art. http://www.theteachersguide.com/onthefarm.htm

EDUCATION HIGHWAY, RADIO, SPOKEN WORD AND GUILDS

I have moved these sections to my blog:

Education Highway -  Go to this link http://tinyurl.com/6e5mk9l for  the listings. If you have an upcoming workshop, festival, or retreat event I will be happy to list it there for free. Specific directions are at the link. 

      
Spoken Word and Storytelling Guilds - You will it at this link http://tinyurl.com/3w7yutc. If you have regular spoken word and storytelling venues, such as guild gatherings, I will list them for free. end them to storybug@aol.com. Directions at the link.  

BUSINESS NOTES

10 Ways to Differentiate Your Customer Service & Make Your Clients Actually Feel Valued by Sara LaForest and Tony Kubica http://www.businessknowhow.com/marketing/differentiatecs.htm

How Branding Can Lead to Your Business's Success or Failure by Michele Pariza Wacek

http://www.businessknowhow.com/marketing/businessbrand.htm

KID’S CORNER

My storytelling students always find a way to surprise me! At our June festival Aidan was telling the story of The Mayor’s Golden Shoes. The mayor is upset because no one notices him and the wise men of the village tell him the will find a solution. The mayor returns home to await their decision; Aidan decided to add a little modern spin and as the mayor waited he hummed the jingle from the Jeopardy television game!

READER’S THEATER SCRIPT

The Three Little Pigs - Puppet Theater for children with printable animals to use for props.
http://tinyurl.com/6k2qsql

SONGS AND FINGERPLAYS

Alphabet Soup – Cute ideas to put the “interactive” in your farm program.
http://www.alphabet-soup.net/farm/farmpoem.html

SOMETHING EXTRA

Parenting.com – Bubbles, music, crafts and more. All things fun and sassy to keep your children cool and entertained during the summer months. http://www.parenting.com/article/fun-things-to-do-summer

This newsletter was painstakingly researched and compiled by Karen Chace. Permission for private use is granted. Distribution, either electronically or on paper is prohibited without my expressed written permission. For permission please contact me at storybug@aol.com. Of course, if you wish to link to my newsletter via your website, blog, newsletter, Facebook page or Twitter please feel free to do so; I greatly appreciate your support and personal integrity.
© 2011