November December 2012

Sewing in the Garden
by Henri Martin

Hello friends,

The month of November brings my favorite holiday, Thanksgiving, and this year, I have something extra special to be grateful for, the birth of my first grandchild, Mason! There is no greater gift, other than having your own child., to grace your life. He has instantly become the light of the family and his presence will make this holiday season very special.

Here in New England we are dealing with the aftermath of Sandy, the super storm that ravaged the east coast. I am very thankful  my town survived its wrath with little damage but I know many are enduring devastating losses. I have resource links to a number of resources to help those in need at the bottom of the newsletter. I pray that all of you are safe and that your life returns to normal very soon.

As always, I appreciate your time. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions please drop me a note at storybug@aol.com; I love to hear from you! May the holiday season find you surrounded by those you love, and who love you, during the holiday season. See you next year!

Warm wishes,

Karen Chace

www.storybug.net

  

 

STORIES

November 1^st is Pins and Needles Day so I offer you some stories to stitch together and make them your own!

"Which path are you taking? said the bzou. "The one of needles or the one of pins?"

From The Grandmother, a French folktale

 

 

Birth of Iao Needle – Hawaii
http://www.hulahips.com/legend/thirteen.html

The Darning Needle – Hans Christian Andersen
http://hca.gilead.org.il/darning.html

The Golden Spinning Wheel – The Story of King Dobromil and the Good Dobrunka - Czechoslovia

http://tinyurl.com/bweyhq8

The Spindle, the Shuttle and the Needle - Grimm
http://tinyurl.com/c4t793d

Judgments of Karakash - Palestine
http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/type1534a.html

Last Darning Needle  - United States
http://tinyurl.com/cy33zkk
 

Not a Pin to Choose Between Them -  Norse
http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/ptn/ptn34.htm

The Sprightly Tailor – Celtic

http://tinyurl.com/c2z7vcr

Story-Lovers.com - Jackie Baldwin offers a number of stories sources at this page.
http://www.story-lovers.com/listspinsandneedles.html

The Tailor in Heaven - German

http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/type0800.html

The Tailor’s Wish – Russia

http://tinyurl.com/dx7fg3n

The Valiant Little Tailor -German
http://tinyurl.com/borp24g Why the Bear is Stumpy-Tailed - Norway

http://www.folktale.net/beartail.html

“What kind of people we become depends crucially on the stories we are nurtured on.”
~ Chinweizu, Nigeria

ADDITIONAL STORY RESOURCES

Thanksgiving also visits our homes in the US this month. Here are two of my blog posts offering stories, crafts and curriculum for Thanksgiving and some for Christmas as well.

http://tinyurl.com/36ln97w
http://tinyurl.com/ydsld4k

December 1 is Eat a Red Apple Day! Here is a bushel of apples stories from my 2008 blog post. Crafts and curriculum links as well.
http://tinyurl.com/3fcyr27

Tis’ the Season: Christmas Stories from Around the World – Stories, crafts, songs and curriculum ideas. 

http://karenchace.blogspot.com/2011/11/tis-season-christmas-stories-from.html

BOUNTIFUL BLOGS

Jai Joshi’s Tulsi Tree – Jai is a multi-talented storyteller, writer, poet so you never know what wonders she will share.
http://www.jaijoshiz.blogspot.com/ 

BUSINESS NOTES

“All lasting business is built on friendship.” ~ Alfred A. Montapert

10 Business Survival Strategies for a Bad Economy by Janet Attard
http://www.businessknowhow.com/marketing/getgoing.htm

 

Key Components of a Business Plan: Part I by Dave Lavinsky

http://www.businessknowhow.com/startup/business-plan-parts.htm

Ten Tips for Attending a Conference by Bill Lampton, Ph.D. 

http://www.businessknowhow.com/growth/conf10.htm

 

Ten Tips for Getting Your Business Letters Read by Bill Lampton, Ph.D.

http://tinyurl.com/8t8aj4v

CRAFTS

Free Kids Crafts.com – Lots of easy sewing crafts to try at home.

http://tinyurl.com/7d994k8

TLC.HowStuffWorks.com – No-sew crafts for children.

http://tinyurl.com/c4ut46o

 

“In a completely rational society, the best of us would be teachers and the rest of us would have to settle for something less, because passing civilization along from one generation to the next ought to be the highest honor and the highest responsibility anyone could have.” 
~ Lee Iacocca

 

CURRICULUM

The Eye of the Needle – Yupit folktale retold by Teri Sloat

http://tinyurl.com/9gbrw68

Puppets for Librarians - A great site by my friend and colleague, Granny Sue.  In this post she shares a puppet play based on the folktale above, Why Bear is Stumpy-Tailed
http://tinyurl.com/9gbrw68

Lesson Corner.com – A wide variety of lesson plans on sewing spanning grades K -12.

http://www.lessoncorner.com/Art_and_Music/Crafts/Sewing

EDUCATION HIGHWAY, RADIO, SPOKEN WORD AND GUILDS

 

Education Highway - Go to
http://karenchace.blogspot.com/2012/08/education-highway.html

Spoken Word, Open Mics and Storytelling Guilds - Go to http://karenchace.blogspot.com/2011/08/story-slams-open-mics-and-storytelling.html

 

TELLABRATIONS ™

Every November storytellers around the country host Tellabration events, with proceeds going to many worth causes. Check out the terrific offerings around the USA. 
http://karenchace.blogspot.com/2012/09/tellabration-equals-celebration.html

 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Remember, if you are seeking stories, curriculum, etc., for other special days or events don’t forget to search the newsletter archives. 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 my blog here: http://www.karenchace.blogspot.com/.

STORM RESOURCES AND ASSISTANCE

Charity Navigator

http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=content.view&cpid=310

Disaster Assistance.Gov

http://www.disasterassistance.gov/

FEMA.GOV

http://www.fema.gov/

Red Cross.org

http://www.redcross.org/

GUEST BLOGGER ARTICLES

A Rising Tide – Guest Blogger’s Share Their Expertise

It is with great appreciation and admiration I offer you the links to the current Guest Blogger articles from my storytelling and business colleagues in the USA and beyond. I will continue to add more as they are published.

If you are interested in becoming a Guest Blogger email me at storybug@aol.com for details with “Guest Blogger Information” in the subject heading and be part of the rising tide!
http://karenchace.blogspot.com/2012/09/a-rising-tideguest-bloggers-share-their.html

This newsletter was 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. © 2012

September October 2012

Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Eater
by Ella Dolbear Lee, 1907

I know summer has not yet left us but here in New England fall is already in the air. That crisp, cool scent is a sure sign of the glorious autumn season. Fall begins on September 22 this year. Soon pumpkins will be sprouting up in fields and on my neighbor’s porches so I offer you stories, crafts and more about these delectable fruits. Since I will be blessed with my first grandchild (it's a boy! :) at the end of October I have also added a link to a blog post I wrote to celebrate Grandparent’s Day on September 9 below.

I spent a glorious week in Stonington, Maine this August and will be back in Portland as the featured teller on October 10, 2012 for MOOSE: Maine Organization of Storytelling Enthusiasts at the Portland Public Library 5 Monument Square. There will be an open mic at 7:00 p.m. then at 8:10 I will share tales of Wise, Witty and Wicked Women! I hope to see you there!

This October I will again take part in the six week Massachusetts Humanities FAIR program at the Attleboro Public Library. I have worked with them since 2010 and I can’t speak highly enough of this amazing, family oriented program. To learn please stop by this article I wrote for them about the many successes I saw during my very first session. http://karenchace.blogspot.com/2010/10/fair-fiction-families-and-fun.html. Bring your children/grandchildren and join in the fun.

Remember, if you are seeking stories, curriculum, etc., for other special days or events don’t forget to search the newsletter archives. 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 my blog 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; I love to hear from you! Wishing you a glorious autumn filled with amazing colors and magical memories!

Warm wishes,

Karen Chace
www.storybug.net

"If you don’t know the trees you may be lost in the forest, but if you don’t know the stories you may be lost in life." — Siberian Elder

STORIES

Farmer Brown’s Crop – Kentucky, USA. This story is found in Mary Hamilton’s new book Kentucky Folktales: Revealing Stories, Truths, and Outright Lies. You may read this story, an excerpt from the book, at the link but I encourage you to purchase the book; you will be delighted. http://tinyurl.com/8ksqs38

The Four Marvelous Brothers – Laos

http://www.seasite.niu.edu/lao/multimedia/four_brothers.htm

The Legend of Stingy Jack - Ireland

http://voices.yahoo.com/the-legend-stingy-jack-beginning-the-1916128.html?cat=37

The Magic Pumpkins – Ukraine

http://www.4to40.com/folktales/index.asp?p=The_Magic_Pumpkins

The One Handed Girl – Swahili

http://www.classicreader.com/book/1088/19/

The Pumpkin in the Jar - Philippines http://www.storiestogrowby.com/stories/pumpkin_jar_philippines.html

The Snake Prince and the Pumpkin Seed - Hmong
http://www.wipps.org/BTS/pdf/folklore/The_Snake_Prince_and_Pumpkin_Seed.pdf

Walnuts and Pumpkins – Turkey
http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/hodja.html#walnuts

Grandparent’s – Adding Richness to Our Lives –  Stories, crafts, curriculum and more.

http://karenchace.blogspot.com/2012/08/grandparents-adding-richess-to-our-lives.html

PREVIOUS BLOG POSTS OF INTEREST

Fun in the Classroom with Folktales
http://karenchace.blogspot.com/2012/05/fun-in-classroom-with-folktales.html

School Daze, School Daze
http://karenchace.blogspot.com/2011/08/school-daze-school-daze.html

School Daze, School Daze II
http://karenchace.blogspot.com/2011/10/school-daze-school-daze-ii.html

Going to the Dogs: October is Adopted a Shelter Dog Month
http://karenchace.blogspot.com/2011/09/going-to-dogs-october-is-adopt-shelter.html

Ghouls, Ghosts and Goblins: Halloween is Here!

http://karenchace.blogspot.com/2010/09/ghouls-ghosts-and-goblins-halloween-is.html

"The thing about a story is that you dream it as you tell it, hoping that others might then dream along with you, and in this way memory and imagination combine to make spirits in the head."

From The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien

BOUNTIFUL BLOGS

American Indians in Children’s Literature (AICL) – “An American Indians in Children’s Literature provides critical perspectives and analysis of indigenous peoples in children’s and young adult books, the school curriculum, popular culture and society. Book reviews, Native media and more…” http://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com/

Teach.com – This blog is important not only for those in the teaching profession, but offers wonderful insights for parents and teaching artists as well. We can learn a lot from their comprehensive blog, which discusses a variety of important topics. Visit their website as well, “a comprehensive educational web resource dedicated to discovering, discussing and encouraging great teaching around the world.” http://teach.com/blog

“All lasting business is built on friendship.” ~ Alfred A. Montapert

BUSINESS NOTES

The Five Biggest Business Networking Mistakes - and How to Avoid Them by Sue Clement.
http://www.businessknowhow.com/marketing/business-networking.htm

How to Write Press Releases That Get Media Attention by Janet Attard.http://www.businessknowhow.com/marketing/release.htm

Jewelry Stores Do It--Do You? by Bill Lampton, Ph.D.
http://www.businessknowhow.com/marketing/spotlight.htm|

Proactive Networking Strategies To Build Professional Practices by Janet Attard.
http://www.businessknowhow.com/marketing/ntwkstrat.htm

CRAFTS

ABOUT.COM – Finger Painting Pumpkin Craft for ages 3 and up; requires only five minutes to complete.

http://familycrafts.about.com/u/sty/craftstechniques101/Publish-Your-Craft-Projects/Finger-Paint-Pumpkin-Craft.htm

DLTK.COM – Lots of pumpkin and Jack O’Lantern crafts here for the children.

http://www.dltk-holidays.com/halloween/pumpkin_crafts.html

HandsOnAsWeGrow.com – Forty cute and inventive pumpkin crafts.

http://handsonaswegrow.com/2011/10/40-pumpkin-activities-for-kids/

CURRICULUM

Education World.com

http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/dailylp/dailylp/dailylp132.shtml

History of the Jack O’ Lantern

http://www.history.com/topics/jack-olantern-history

Pumpkin Folktale Reading Lesson Plan - Students compare and contrast two trade book versions of a Bengali trickster folk tale: The Old Woman and the Red Pumpkin (Betsy Bang) and No Dinner! (Jessica Souhami).

http://suite101.com/article/pumpkin-folk-tale-reading-lesson-plan-a74208

EDUCATION HIGHWAY, RADIO, SPOKEN WORD AND GUILDS

Education Highway - For listings on storytelling events around the world go to http://karenchace.blogspot.com/2012/08/education-highway.html

Spoken Word, Open Mics and Storytelling Guilds– For  listings on regular events connected to storytelling go to
http://karenchace.blogspot.com/2011/08/story-slams-open-mics-and-storytelling.html

GUEST BLOGGER ARTICLES

I reached a personal goal in July,100,000 visits to my blog. I am very grateful to my supporters and decided to share my audience. I opened my blog up to Guest Bloggers and six of my colleagues have shared wonderful articles about their work to date. More are on the way! I have listed the links to those articles below. If you are interested in becoming a Guest Blogger email me at Storybug@aol.com for the details.

Pinocchio's Nose Grows by Linda Gorham
http://karenchace.blogspot.com/2012/07/does-your-story-ring-true.html

Her Story, Your Story, Our Story: An Afternoon with Women Who Have Escaped the Troll by Regina Ress
http://karenchace.blogspot.com/2012/07/escaping-troll.html

Sweeping the Air, Catching the Dust by Eileen DeLorenzo
http://karenchace.blogspot.com/2012/08/sweeping-air-catching-dust.html

Five Minute Creativity Boost by Monica Davis
http://karenchace.blogspot.com/2012/08/send-your-senses-soaring.html

Superlative Speakers Tell Superlatives Stories
http://karenchace.blogspot.com/2012/08/weaving-spell-with-stories.html

Fighting Demons with Compassion by Gaye Sutton
http://www.karenchace.blogspot.com/2012/08/fighting-demons-with-compassion.html

 
SOMETHING EXTRA

Pumpkin Bars –Something delicious to add to your fall fun!
http://folktalesfabricshop.blogspot.com/2011/11/pumpkin-bars.html



This newsletter was 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. © 2012

November December 2011

Wheat Field With Cypresses
by Vincent Van Gogh, 1889

Time continues to fly…the fall hasn’t even finished drifting away and heavy snow has already fallen on some areas of Massachusetts. The rare snowstorm gives new meaning to the pharse, "The frost is on the pumpkin!"

I have been busy with the Massachusetts Humanities FAIR Program these past five weeks and Halloween storytelling, both have been very rewarding. This month I will begin the 10^th year of my student storytelling program at our local elementary school; I am always excited to see what new stories the students will choose to tell.

Soon the holiday season will be upon us but before we begin our regular celebrations we have the chance to enjoy Homemade Bread Day on November 17! Very fitting as I always think of the month of November as a time when we break bread with family and friends and share our thanks for the food before us. With that in mind in this issue you will find bread stories, crafts and curriculum to satiate your hunger. 

November also brings us many Tellabrations around the country. My colleagues have been kind enough to share their events, which you will find listed under the Tellabration link below. The events are always in celebration of story and many of the proceeds go to worthy causes in their respective cities and towns. I hope you will be able to attend one and fall into the magic of stories!

This issue also marks the three year anniversary of my newsletter. It is fitting that it falls during the month of November, a time when we pause and give thanks for wonderful family and friends, and the many blessings in our lives; I count you among them. Thank you for taking this journey with  me.

As always, I appreciate your time and support. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions please drop me a note at storybug@aol.com . I wish you all a joyous holiday season. See you next year!

Warm wishes,
Karen Chace
www.storybug.net

“Porque no solo de pan vive el hombre –
Tambien vive del cuento.” 

Translation:  “Because man does not live by bread alone - he also lives by stories.”
~ Motto of a Spanish Storytelling Festival

STORIES

November 17 is Homemade Bread Day and who doesn’t love homemade bread? I offer you some delicious stories to feast upon.

The Dream Bread – Seven stories on the theme by D.L. Ashliman.
http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/type1626.html

The Dun Horse - Russia
http://tinyurl.com/66tm5m5

The Icon’s Warm Bread – Greece
http://www.stnicholascenter.org/pages/icons-warm-bread/

The King’s Loaves – Afghanistan
http://jhom.com/topics/bread/folktale.html

The Little Red Hen - England
http://www.rickwalton.com/folktale/bryant05.htm

The Ostrich Wife – South Africa
http://tinyurl.com/5uople8

Legend of the Bread-Fruit Tree – Pacific Island
http://www.sacred-texts.com/pac/hloh/hloh08.htm

The Wonder-Working Lock – Croatia
http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/sfs/sfs71.htm

November is also Native American Heritage Month. For stories, curriculum and more go to:
http://karenchace.blogspot.com/2011/10/native-american-heritage-month.html

Thanksgiving also visits our homes in the US this month. Here are two of my blog posts offering stories, crafts and curriculum for Thanksgiving and some for Christmas as well.

http://tinyurl.com/36ln97w  

http://tinyurl.com/ydsld4k

December 1 is Eat a Red Apple Day! Here is a bushel of apples stories from my 2008 blog post. Crafts and curriculum links as well.
Storybug.net – http://tinyurl.com/3fcyr27

ARTS AND CRAFTS

Ecuadorian Masapán Bread Dough Sculpting 

http://tinyurl.com/6dtazsn 

Edible Crafts – Bread Bears

http://ediblecrafts.craftgossip.com/bread-bears/2011/02/25/

Family Fun – White Bread Dough Clay Crafts
http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/white-bread-dough-708924/

BLOG

Puppets for Libraries – My storytelling colleague and friend Granny Sue has teamed up with her colleague Nancy to develop some short, easy and fun puppet shows based on folktales.

https://puppetsforlibraries.wordpress.com/

BUSINESS NOTES

10 Ways to Create More Time in Your Day by Lisa Jay
http://www.businessknowhow.com/growth/timetips.htm

Cloud Computing for Small Businesses by Cathy Zimmermann
http://www.businessknowhow.com/technology/cloud.htm

Speakers--Use A Checklist To Make Sure You're Ready by Bill Lampton, Ph.D
http://www.businessknowhow.com/growth/checklist.htm

Using Handouts to Reinforce Your Training Presentations by Bill Lampton, Ph.D.

http://www.businessknowhow.com/growth/handouts.htm

CURRICULUM

“He who has good flour makes good bread.”    Italian proverb

Baking Traditions – Fourth and fifth grade activities along with wonderful recipes and reading suggestions.
http://www.homebaking.org/familyfun/2004_fourth_fifth.htm

Breads All Over the World – For grade 3-4.
http://www.hawaii.edu/hga/GAW98/breadlesson.htm
The Little Red Hen – Lesson plan, crafts, printables for preschool and kindergarten.
http://www.first-school.ws/activities/fairytales/redhen.htm

Science of Bread – Curriculum Activities from Australia
http://tinyurl.com/6hv924q 
Southern Utah University – Books music, lesson plans, recipes and more for the classroom.

http://tinyurl.com/69b3xjf 

Whole Grains Council – Lesson plans for the power of 3: Get Healthy with Whole Grain Foods - “This school-based curriculum available from the University of Minnesota Extension Service is designed to increase intake of whole grain foods by elementary school students in grades 3 to 6.”

http://tinyurl.com/64j9ete 

For more curriculum links on a wide variety of subjects here are two blogs posts where I have listed them all by category.

http://tinyurl.com/63oq6bj 

http://tinyurl.com/6zoco65 

EDUCATION HIGHWAY

I have moved this section to my blog. Every issue the old information will be deleted and new events will be listed. If you have an upcoming event I will be happy to list it for free. Please go to this link http://tinyurl.com/6e5mk9l for the specific directions and format then email it to me at storybug@aol.com with the subject heading “Education Highway.”

SPOKEN WORD/STORYTELLING VENUES

I have also moved this information to my blog. You may find it at this link http://tinyurl.com/5sr7fev. Also, if you have any regular spoken word and storytelling venues such as guild gatherings you would like to list send them to me at storybug@aol.com and I will be happy to add; this is a free service. Directions are at the above blog link.

TELLABRATIONS

Every November storytellers around the world take part in Tellabration events, sharing stories with both children and adults. A list is compiled on my blog by location. I hope you will have time take in a show or two. Follow the link to find your “happily ever after.” http://tinyurl.com/6dn2vjy

SONGS AND FINGERPLAYS FOR TURKEY DAY!

The Holiday Zone

http://www.theholidayzone.com/thanks/songs.html

SOMETHING EXTRA

Life Rolls On – “a subsidiary of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, is dedicated to improving the quality of life for young people affected by spinal cord injury and utilizes action sports as a platform to inspire infinite possibilities despite paralysis.”
http://www.liferollson.org/

Remember, if you are seeking stories, curriculum, etc., for other special days or events don’t forget to search the newsletter and blog archives. I have also listed a few below at the end of the newsletter 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/.