Movement, Masks, Props and Much More

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Comment by Lois Sprengnether Keel (LoiS) on October 28, 2009 at 12:39pm

For fillers, try jokes & riddles. Halloween is fast upon us & a black kettle filled with them on individual strips lets you choose from your audience somebody to pull 1 out, read it (if kids, read it for them), & move on to the next story.

Comment by Kuniko Yamamoto on September 26, 2009 at 7:37pm

Great fun ideas in this group!I've been enjoying reading comments.

Halloween is coming soon. Is there anyone who tells spooky stories with masks? Has anyone ever had a problem with kids getting too scared?

Comment by Lois Sprengnether Keel (LoiS) on August 25, 2009 at 7:56pm

THE GUNNIBAT!!! I love it. That will probably stay with them forever. (Now I'll have to control my mind when telling the Gunniwolf, too!)

Comment by Vicky Dworkin on August 11, 2009 at 12:41am

I've just joined this discussion forum. Since becoming a children's librarian with a lot of preschool or mixed family audiences, I have been branching more and more into use of props - and having fun doing it. I also have great fun using props with older audiences as well.

LoiS's mentioning the Gunniwolf reminded me of how props, costumes, etc. can sometimes lead you in unanticipated directions. I don't usually tell in costume, but a friend gave me a great bat costume (with an 11 foot wingspan) that I use for Halloween. One night, I was doing a Spooky Stories for youngish kids (not too spooky) with a friend, and I expected her to tell the Gunniwolf. We were alternating stories, one on, one off , for 2+ hours. Suddenly, instead of telling Gunniwolf, she was telling about the fearsome Gunnibat - and I was playing the Gunnibat in an unrehearsed, totally spontaneous tandem telling. It was fabulous and the kids loved it. I do have to be careful. The bat costume can be too scary for really young kids.

Comment by LaurenLanita on June 22, 2009 at 4:40pm

Hmmm....I hadn't thought of becoming a character but I really like the idea. Thanks, Rob!
It sounds like the Norns are the Norse version of the Greek (?) fates the the Moirae...CLOTHO who spins the Thread of Life, LACHESIS who allots the length of the yarn, and ATROPOS who does the snip. (I would love to do something with those 3 ladies but one project, sorta , at a time :P )

I have already collected quite a few tales mostly spinning or weaving just a few with knitting and I would give a lot to find a folk or fairy tale with some type of crocheting.
I get together with other knitters/crocheters once a month, we met this weekend and I told them , the quick version of a few of the tales. The really seemed to enjoy them.

Comment by Rob McCabe on June 22, 2009 at 1:22pm

I love the use of spinning while telling stories. You might develop a character who tells stories to visitors while spinning. After all, historically while women sewed and spun flax or wool into thread, they often told stories. The Norns in Norse Mythology are of particular interest--One passed the thread through the wheel, one held the thread tight and the last one cut the thread at the end of a human being's life span. Interesting how spinning was so important to our ancestors. There are so many stories about spinning, why not create a program of Spinning Tales into Gold?

Comment by LaurenLanita on June 20, 2009 at 2:01pm

Hello!
I have used masks, puppets and musical instruments while telling.
Although it's probably more accurate to say that I let the kids use them,
I suppose the secret to using props of any sort is to not overdue it.

At the moment I am working on stories that include spinning, weaving, knitting or anything to do with thread or yarn. Since I am a crafter (knitting, crocheting, sewing etc) I find these stories fascinating.
I am thinking of doing some handspinning during one or two stories.
I'm just a beginning spinner but I think it will be fun and most kids (and some adults) have never seen any type of spinning.
Does anyone else do this?
This being spinning or knitting or any other type of crafting while telling.
I'd love to hear about it.
La

Comment by Melanie Plag "Babboes" on November 3, 2008 at 4:11am

I also use props to "illustrate" my storytelling for young children. It can be anything, depending on the story: hats, music instruments, stuffed animals, all kind of utensils. I think it's particularly important for kids who don't master the language yet. The props that I use in my performances are also part of the cases that I have for rent for (pre)schools - completed with other educational material or games that fit with the theme - in order to let teachers and children revive the story when I'm gone.

Comment by Katrina Oliver on November 3, 2008 at 1:52am

This group will be really useful in my storytelling. I use props and puppets; movement; song; drums; a tin whistle; a rainstick; plastic and fabric flowers, vegetables and fruit (more durable than the real thing!); soft toys (some of you know them as stuffed animals); and anything that adds to the story I am telling. I often ask for child helpers, as that adds to the show. I also have some children's costumes, hats and headbands (eg rabbit ears, insect feelers) for the more adventurous helper. Yesterday, I had a wee 2 year old boy wearing a black and white cow hood and tail, and mooing enthusiastically when I called upon him. He stood beside me during that story. I find that sometimes my helpers enjoy wearing these costumes while back in the audience during the rest of my show. Only once have I had trouble getting a fabric flower back from one young girl. I ask the child to give it back to me at the end and that usually works. It also makes the audience really engage with the tale. I love looking at my wee helpers back in the audience, dressed up and entranced! This only works for up to 20 children, though. Bigger groups can do noises, voices, singing, rhyme, etc when called upon.
Happy tales!
Katrina ;-)

Comment by Buck P Creacy on September 30, 2008 at 7:04pm

Hello Everyone;

Please check your freindship request and either accept them or reject them. But please don't let them sit idle. If one hundred people do that, if keeps others from making new friends. Just go to your friends tabs, the little silloettes at the top right of your page, under your name and click it. I expect if you haven't found it by now... you may have many pending new friends.

Just a tip.
Buck

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